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Questions from August 2010
On 7 July 2010 you stated that the Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTI 160PS model now benefits from CO2 emissions of 144g/km. Can 2009 cars be remapped to achieve this?
I am a fruit farmer and have a 2004 Renault Master van for making deliveries. I farm as a partnership with my wife and the van is registered to me personally. Its gross weight is rated as 3.5 tonnes alone...
I was driving my 2002 1.5 Renault Clio diesel (78,000 miles) the other day when the engine started to make a gurgling noise. I pulled over straightaway, turned the engine off and smoke started coming out...
Which four-wheel drive diesel hatchback or estate which returns 50+mpg and is suitable for a 120-mile round commute across northern hills would you recommend? I've seen the Audi A3 Sportback quattro, or...
I wonder if you have had any requests for help about the DSC warnings displayed on BMW dashboards? I have a 55-plate 3 Series and have only ever used the DSC once, in the bad snow at the beginning of this...
I saw at last year's motor show that there was a car that runs on compressed air. Was this just a prototype or has it gone into production?
I have a Peugeot 307 HDi Quicksilver 05 plate (1.6). I was coming home on the M4 last week and all was fine, but after paying the bridge tolls, as I pulled away, there was no power. With my foot flat to...
My 1998 Vauxhall Corsa Ecotech cuts out two minutes after starting. It has fuel in, and when it runs it is smooth, not lumpy at all. I think it could be the fuel filter, but have no idea where to find...
I have recently applied for a job overseas to which I have had positive feedback and am currently awaiting the second and final interview. The first interview was with the HR dept (all interviews conducted...
I have done 28K miles and there is a slight 'squeak' from engine at tickover. Could this be the water pump and should I change it?
What's the best quote I can get for a full respray of a Ford Mondeo?
My father recently bought a 2008 Toyota Avensis with 16-inch wheels and is very pleased with it. Could you recommend the best tyres for comfort, quietness and perhaps economy? The car came with Dunlop...
My dad has owned his 2004 Honda Accord Tourer from new. The tailgate mechanism appears to have failed and no longer opens and closes automatically. You can manually open and close it, but it is very heavy...
I own a BMW 330d 2003 and the engine broke up, doing so much damage that I had to have a replacement remanufactured engine. I bought the car from a BMW garage and I understand that this is a known weakness...
We own a 1997 Subaru Legacy which is in need of replacement. We'd have another for its all-round ability, but the fuel consumption of the petrol models (diesel is too new to be in budget) precludes this....
I am confused by the apparent vast range of Ford Mondeo cars. Can you please tell me what the top of the range models are called?
Can a totally blocked catalyst shred a timing belt? I had my Vauxhall Astra 16v's timing belt replaced and new valves and guides fitted, and on completion, the car wouldn't start due to the catalyst being...
My son has just purchased his first car, a Honda Civic 1.4SE from a Honda main dealer. The front tyres are not of the same brand. Is this acceptable and legal?
I hear a noise from my 1995 Ford Escort when at very low speed or when the car stands with the motor running. I open my cover and think the noise comes from the area next to the timing belt.
My 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK has done 23,000 miles. The BAS warning light on the cluster came on after about half an hour's drive and then stays on (even after stopping and restarting). Next day, same thing....
Do I legally have to inform an insurance company that my vehicle was previously regarded as a category 'C' damaged repairable? The vehicle has had a VIC after repair and has been on the road for the past...
I would like some recommendations on a good reliable family car in the region of £6000-£9000, preferably no bigger than 1.8-litre. It can be diesel and must be automatic, with some spec such as a leather...
I purchased a used van and would just like your opinion on whether it was a private or trade sale, as there is a major problem with it after just two weeks. It was advertised as a trade advert on the internet,...
I have a Peugeot 407 and the cigarette lighter doesn't work, so I can't use my sat nav or phone charger. I've looked in my manual but I can't find which fuse to change. Do you know where the fuse is?
I have a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra 2-litre DTI. I cannot start the engine. I tried with jump leads, and failed. Then I towed it with another car, and after one hundred metres the car started. I drove for fifteen...
I've bought a Vauxhall Astra 17DTi. I am having trouble with it misfiring when it is cold first thing in morning, but once warm it runs great. I have changed the air filter and fuel filter, and I have...
I have owned a 2006 Vauxhall Corsa from new and it now has just short of 51,000 miles on the clock. In the last year I have experienced gear selection issues and it seems to be getting worse. It occurs...
My P-reg Ford Fiesta Flight 1.3 is struggling to get up to speed. It can struggle one day and then be fine the next.
You recently published an email from a reader who had notified the DVLA of a change of vehicle keeper by email. Customers who submit an email enquiry regarding disposal, will receive a computer-generated...
One month after the 3 year warranty expired on my wife's MINI Cooper S, and after 13,000 miles three warning lights appeared on the console. The manual identified this combination of lights as "Vehicle...
We have a Volvo XC90, which we are looking to replace. We no longer need a 7-seater but it might be useful on occasions. We need to tow a 1,500kg boat trailer combination on occasions. We would like to...
My local Mercedes service centre quoted £450 for a B service to my 28,000 mile 2002 C220CDI auto. This seams excessive. Another local servicing garage has quoted £320 using all Mercedes components, and...
I read in the Motoring column today's Daily Telegraph that you have an interest in occasions of car cloning. I thought I ought to report to you a recent phone call I had from an Indian man who said that...
In your column you frequently mention that certain parts are used by more than one manufacturer (eg: old Ford Galaxy/VW Sharan/SEAT Alhambra), and some engines being used across a range of manufacturers....
The brilliant new Kia Cee’d CRDi which you correctly advised me to buy earlier this year (6,000 miles already) was yesterday shunted in the rear by an AA Patrol Van at Fleet Services off the M3. I will...
We moved to Dorset 18 months ago and have managed to survive with one car so far, a 7 year old Audi A6 Avant with 100,000 miles on the clock. We now need a replacement family car and want a car capable...
There’s regular and understandable criticism in your column from you and your readers about the damaging effect of speed bumps. Whilst I don’t like them any more than anybody else it would at least be...
I have just retired and need to replace my much loved 'X' registered Ford Focus. Although I am reluctant to do this as it has only done 47,000 miles, it will soon need a change of cambelt (and presumably...
I am considering an eco and tax friendly company car for a budget of £20k and an annual mileage of 12k. I have seen the SEAT Leon Ecomotive. Do you have alternatives you can recommend in that class?
In February my daughter borrowed the family Fiesta as her University placements would have been impossible to get to by public transport. The car is insured in my wife's name, and she is a named driver....
A Warning for drivers and cyclists. An instructor on a 4 hour Speed Awareness Course - offered as an alternative to 3 points on your licence - informed the class that where there is a small camera fitted...
I bought a VW Tiguan about nine months ago and I regularly drive just under 1,000 miles per month. At times, when the engine is switched off, a fan in the engine compartment starts. This normally runs...
I am considering a Mercedes-Benz SL350 Roadster from a MB dealer. First registered in June 2006, one lady owner (probably true) Jasper blue metallic, 20,915 miles, 3,498cc V6 Auto. It has extras: panoramic...
I have a Skoda Octavia 2.0TDI DSG bought new in 2005. Fault-free so far but a bit too noisy - especially road roar at speed and engine noise in town. I am thinking of changing and want a Golf sized car...
MO says her son lost control of his car on polished cobbles on the approach to a roundabout. Assuming this is a local authority maintained road she should contact the Highways Department and ask: What...
I understand you have recently written on the subject of DPFs. My particular experience of the current X-Trail diesel (and my ongoing quarrel with Nissan) is that the first time the warning light came...
With regard to using your left foot to brake an automatic, this will probably only work if someone uses the method from their introduction to driving and never drives anything but an auto. Otherwise, it'll...
I have just received a demand from the DVLA for £20 to renew my driving licence photograph as it "will shortly reach its expiry date". I have held a licence for 52 years and have never been asked for a...
The air-con in my car seems to have lost its cooling effect. The output is quite warm, in fact. I'm being advised to have the system re-gassed. What does this mean and why should it be necessary, please?...
Last October we replaced our 10-year-old Nissan Micra 1.3 automatic under the scrappage scheme, buying the new equivalent Micra 1.4 automatic. Comparing the brochures and specifications for the two cars,...
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