Trending topics in September 2010
Questions from September 2010
I have owned a Jaguar S Type from new since October 2003 and am now considering changing to a new XF Premium Luxury 3.0 diesel. I have never thought Diesel before but a salesman tells me that 9 out of...
www.w124.co.uk offers retrofitted 7-seater conversions for W124 estates. But I am looking to purchase a 2006 or newer E-class estate and clearly the 7-seaters are in short supply with the other options...
I was pleasantly surprised at reading about Renault's intention of developing 'quick drop stations' to swap batteries in their electric cars. For the past two or more years I have been banging on about...
Just to add to the previous advice you gave about notifying the DVLA when you sell/part-ex a vehicle. I recently did a part-ex and the dealer kindly offered to send my Part 9 of the V5C registration document...
Could you please make a comment on why my 1999 Mercedes 250 Turbo Diesel Estate engine has become extremely noisy since a faulty glow plug has been replaced? I have owned this car from new and it has only...
My wife is nagging me about the mpg of our 2009 Qashqai 2.0dci. I told Nissan we were disappointed compared with our 2001 Scenic 1.9dci, but got a non-committal response. The computer is indicating 36.7,...
Time after time I read you comments about problems with DPFs and todays' copy of the Telegraph was no exception. I personally had my first problem after approximately one year with my new Nissan X-Trail...
I have a 2008 model Volvo V70 D5 SE, and I recently received a recall notice from Volvo regarding diesel fuel getting into the sump oil during a DPF regeneration event, and possibly causing the engine...
You probably think I'm paranoid but based on the DVLA's propensity to fine everyone for everything whenever possible I thought I'd better check with you to see if can offer any advice (other than to get...
My 2005 Audi A3 Sportback 1.6FSI was fitted with Michelin XSE 225/45R17 91Y tyres when I bought it new. At 29,000 miles it was re-shod with Michelin Pilot Sport SP2. Now at 42,000 miles I am advised that...
My son has recently purchased a SAAB 1.9 diesel. When taking a journey shortly afterwards he noticed a sound from the rear, which he thought was a bearing fault. I advised him to return to the dealer but...
I have a FIAT 500 1.3 Multijet Diesel. About two weeks ago I had the problem, exactly as described in your column. I towed the car to the FIAT dealership and got from them the answer that there were 2.5...
I read the emails about Credit Hire and would broadly agree with you and the insurance expert: better deal with insurers yourself and the good ones sort it out quicker and more easily than ‘Accident Management’...
I bought a Renault Laguna Privilege about two months ago. It drives like a dream, although it keeps cutting out when I come to a stop. Also I have noticed a slight ticking or light rattling between 0 and...
I bought a used 2001 Nissan X-Trail from a sales centre. It was fitted with a 45Ah, 12v battery but the battery supplier says it should have a 65Ah, 12v battery. Some say 70Ah. What's the best?
I am about to replace the rear brake discs on my Renault Scenic. It looks pretty straightforward, but has anyone done it before and have they learnt anything that would be useful to me? I bought a Haynes...
I bought a 2006-registered Skoda Fabia in December 2008. The car had 47,000 miles and was in good condition. At the time of purchase, I was given 12 months' Skoda warranty and was asked if I wish to extend...
I think I have cracked the problem related to the Renault Clio coil light coming on, followed by fluctuating revs and cutting out at junctions and when driving off. I have the 1.2 (1149cc) 16v Clio II...
My seven-year-old Vauxhall Zafira has been faultless, but lately it seems to make heavy weather of speed bumps. Can the suspension fail gradually or is it always sudden?
Is there a document which lists vehicles in order of width and compares this year's model with previous versions? My wife needs a narrow car to fit in our garage. Previously a Fiesta was fine but we suspect,...
I was recently stopped by the police while I was driving my mate's car and he was in front driving mine. I thought my insurance would cover me but it didn't, and the car was seized. Can police seize the...
I need to know about the long term reliability of the Volkswagen Audi DSG automatic gearbox. My car is an 06 plate with 50,000 miles and I bought it from Audi with a year's warranty. The warranty will...
There are two different noises on my recently-bought 2006 Peugeot 407 SE diesel. The first is a squeaking noise occasionally from the clutch. The garage thought this was a worn ball joint and put some...
We are looking at purchasing a replacement car for my better half. Annual mileage circa 12,000, consisting of four daily 30-mile commutes on dual carriageways and very little long distance motorway driving....
Partially based on your review, we would like to buy a new Citroen C3 Picasso, but it has to be an automatic. All our local dealer can tell us is that it will be available sometime in 2011. Do you have...
I have a 10-year-old Ford Focus 1.8 LX TDDI. It lost power while driving earlier this week and wouldn't start again. The local Ford dealer in Northern Ireland is quoting £660 to have a new pump fitted,...
Does anyone know if the odometer is on the ECU or on the dash of a 2000 Volkswagen Golf 1.4? The mileage on mine is very high and the guy told me I can get it changed to what I want. If I change the gauge...
I have a Citroen C2 1.4 diesel (2006) which has done 32,000 miles. The digital speedo has stopped working, the odometer isn't recording miles and the info display is telling me a variety of things all...
I live in Thailand and this week purchased a new Ford Focus TDCi 5Dr 2.0L Sport. The car is great but firstly I cannot find a metal VIN plate. There is a plastic sticker on the door pillar and the number...
I have a 2002 BMW X5 which has got transmission problems, has displayed a transmission error ('Trans. Fail-Safe Prog') on the dash but is not now showing. My dad said that he had read an article where...
I have a Citroen Synergie on which the rear nearside door will not open or unlock
I have ordered a new Skoda Superb Elegance. As I do mostly short trips I have gone for the 1.8 petrol engine. Do you know of any problems with this engine? Also, I asked for 17-inch instead of 18-inch...
Sometimes when I start my T-reg Peugeot 306, my fans come on straight away and the stop light comes on as well. If I wait the light goes out and the fans go off, everything runs fine. The temperature is...
I keep hearing about the problems you get with diesel particulate filters if you make lots of short car journeys from cold. Can you tell me if the Land Rover Freelander TD4 ES 2002/2003 models have these...
I have a high mileage (147,000) 2008 Volkswagen Passat estate and since February this year all injectors have needed replacing. Is there a problem with injectors on this model?
I've owned my 03-plate Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompressor for five years. It was supplied by a Mercedes-Benz dealer but I have chosen to have it serviced by a non-franchised company with Mercedes-Benz experience....
Our new Toyota Verso has a speed limiter, which I have used quite a lot particularly for motorway contraflows. I used to use the cruise control for this, but with the speed limiter, you can quickly decelerate...
My 2003 Vauxhall Corsa's dipped lights won't come on. All the other lights are working. Is it just new bulbs I need?
I have a 2002 Ford Focus 1.6i. I lost the original coded key, and have another ignition with one code key and another normal key, but the car doesn't start. Do I need to reprogram the key? How do I do...
Some years ago I saved a considerable sum by importing a highly specced Mercedes-Benz from Holland. I am now looking at buying the new S-Class with the new diesel engine and wondered whether it was still...
I have my MOT coming up and my passenger seat handle has broken (the handle that pulls the seat forward so passengers can get in and out of the back). Will I fail my MOT because of this? Where can I get...
I have a Nissan Micra K11 and the reverse light will not come on. I have tried changing the bulb, with no luck. I've been told that this is probably the switch in the gearbox. Can anyone give me step-by-step...
I have a 1996 Ford Festa 1.25. I had the speed sensor changed, but it's still over-revving. Any ideas as to what to do next?
I have a 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier turbodiesel with a 1700cc Isuzu engine fitted. It has just passed the MOT but I have been having problems with the power. It pulls ok on the straight but when I go up any...
My garage suggests I should replace the timing belt on my 2003 diesel Toyota Carina Verso, which has covered 32,000 miles. Toyota's service booklet recommends replacement after 60,000 miles, but no age...
Last year my 1996 Peugeot 106's horn stopped working. It was fixed free of charge when having some other work done as it was just a loose wire. It stopped working again recently, but this time i took it...
I have a Kia Shuma and noticed the other day, when I switched the air conditioning off, that a noise came from the engine. I have had the AA out to look at it and they say the bearing for the air conditioning...
I have a 2.5-year-old Volkswagen Golf. It's only done 26,000 miles and the clutch is starting to go. I have spoken to the Volkswagen garage, who informed me that the clutch isn’t covered due to wear and...
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=85270
I looked at the above thread and I have suffered the same problem with my car. Is Volkswagen liable for this?
My son owns a Peugeot 106 1.1 Independence and is soon to go to university. His insurer will only allow him to cancel his insurance and get about £350 back from an annual policy premium of £940. Would...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
