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Questions from April 2011
The brake pedal on my Toyota Landcruiser, 3.0-litre diesel automatic goes down nearly to the floor when driving, although it does stop the vehicle. I have bled the system to no avail; however, when stationary...
I own a 10-year-old Citroen Xsara which is in excellent condition and has been main dealer serviced from new. I have just noticed some corrosion on the bottom edge of the drivers door, which I was about...
I have been charged a £55 admin fee by One Call Insurance for the privilege of having my premium increased as a result of an overlap in a past policy and the new one. This overlap resulted in an increased...
I am thinking of buying the new Ford Focus but I do not agree with Fords policy of selling the new model with rear drum brakes. The entire C segment is now equipped with rear disk brakes, but Ford insists...
I have a SEAT Alhambra 2.0TDI (registered in Sept 2007/57 plate). I bought the car in March 2010 (1 previous owner from new) and it has been serviced at a SEAT garage so far. At the weekend the ESP warning...
My 2007/57 model Peugeot 207HDi has started to leak/dribble small amounts of an oily fluid from a small plastic box situated on the underside just in front of the o/s/r wheel. What is the fluid and...
I am looking to buy a second hand Audi A4 Avant or BMW 3 Series Touring. My budget is £8,000-£10,000, for which I expect to be able to buy an average mileage car from about 2005. It will be used for...
Do all Golf 6 models like mine have the problem that the brakes snatch fiercely at low speeds, e.g. when slowing to a halt or coasting downhill in a queue of slow moving traffic? Nothing wrong with them...
I have seen a car that I like and was offered £1,300 as a part ex for my car. I told him the spec over the phone and then went to view the car the same day. I then went back the day after and put a deposit...
My car is currently in pieces and has been diagnosed with a failed DMF and a damaged clutch as a result of this failure. Repair has been priced at £1,030. I have only had the car 8 weeks. It was purchased...
I ordered a VW Golf Match 1.6 DSG Bluemotion on October 18 2010 on behalf of my mother-in-law. I have been waiting and waiting. Today i have been told there is a further delay. Possible but not definite...
Can you help with a problem I have very recently been presented with by my current insurer please? I have been asked to prove that I have in excess of 9 years' NCD. My previous insurer only wanted...
My Audi A3 Sport 1.9TDI has a vibration that appears to be coming through the whole car (not just the steering wheel) between the speeds of 55-65MPH. Wheel balancing has been checked to no avail, the...
There are vast numbers of diesel cars on the roads and many models are now only available with diesel engines. Not all of these vehicles can be being driven under 'ideal conditions.' If there were continuing...
I purchased a Ford Ka for £1275 on the 2nd of March 2011. On the test drive it seemed fine, but after driving it a few miles I noticed the brakes were soft & the car pulled to the right, especially at...
I wish to avoid a the common head gasket failure on my MG TF I have approached my local garage who quote £430+vat to replace the cylinder head gasket, however they tell me that MG Rover fitted the upgraded...
Is the latest Golf GTI 2.0 petrol engine chain cam? Is it exactly the same engine in the Audi TT and VW Scirrocco?
We have the choice of the following and we will probably trade in or sell in 5 years time. Both the following are from 2 Volvo dealers VOLVO XC90 R Registered August 2010 was 185 BHP engine but has factory...
Recently had new timing chain fitted to my 2001 Corsa, as recommended to me by diagnostic expert. Had car back and on 10th day it overheated as I attempted to join a motorway. Mechanic now blames me for...
Engine management light came on recently and I've been quoted £475 for a new cooling fan motor by the main dealer. Is this excessive, bearing in mind they can do it tomorrow and I have a long journey...
I really think its time that BMW took a good look at its West London dealers. A recent quote for an oil service, new front and back brake pads, coolant flush and brake fluid change came to the princely...
I have owned a classic car which has been off the road since before SORN was introduced. I have never needed to declare a SORN on it in the past. I understand there are are now new regulations, so do...
I have bought a Renault Megane dci 130 registered end December 2010. How can I tell if it is manufactured as Euro 4 or 5, please?
I had a loss in acceleration when driving my Peugeot 306 Cabriolet, it happened when I was overtaking at around 75mph. I suddenly lost acceleration and the car dropped to 60mph (very quickly). Any ideas...
I've got a 2001 Peugeor 306 2.0 HDi with an intermittnt limp mode problem. The problem seemed to start after running out of diesel after six months of no problems. After a visit to the dealer it went...
I have an ongoing technical problem and wish to write to Renault Customer services - I believe it is based at Renault UK Ltd, The Rivers Office Park, Maple Cross, Herts. Do you have a name of say Customer...
My 06 Ford Focus Ghia has 16" alloy wheels with some unsightly corrosion. Can I simply replace them with steel wheels using the same tyres, or does this effect performance? And where might I get such...
Back in 2002, the partner and I (both still working then), took your recommendation and bought a nearly new (7 miles on the clock) 52 plate Mk.I Toyota Yaris. We were very pleased with the car so, in...
I have a 307SW 1.6 HDi and the anti pollution fault light is coming on whenever I start the car up. There seems to be nothing wrong with the car, though. No loss of power or anything. I have the following...
I own a 2004 Nissan X-trail 2.2 diesel. Whilst I was driving the car suffered loss of power (limp mode). Diagnosis was done by a trustworthy local garage and I was given a fault code of p0089 and quoted...
I went to start my 1995 VW Polo this morning and the engine would not turn over at all, and the hazards would flash for around 20 seconds. The car is in good condition generally and I have not had any...
I have a 2003 Renault Clio 1.6 automatic which has done only 11,000 miles. It has not turned a wheel in three-years. I have replaced the battery and the key fob is working, ie it locks /unlocks the car....
I am going to look at a MINI Cooper Diesel 08-plate this afternoon, I was just wondering if this engine has a cambelt or is it a chain? If it is a cambelt what mileage would it need changing?
As my wife and I approach retirement we are looking to move from two cars to one. My ancient Peugeot 406 is on its last legs and my wife has an 02-plate 1.2 Corsa. Our current short list is a Ford C-Max,...
I have received a flier for an ECU-remapping service claiming to improve fuel consumption by up to 20% - www.ecu-remapping-service.com. It is not cheap, about £250.00, but as I do 20,000 miles per year...
My Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec TDCI is making a screeching noise on acceleration when moving off. This carries on for about half a mile then goes away. Any ideas on what the problem is?
I am considering selling my four year-old Audi A6 3.0 TDi Avant Le Mans Edition, with 75,000 miles on the clock. It's in excellent condition. I'm reluctant to advertise this on Auto Trader - I wondered...
Which is better, manual or automatic in the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso? Or is it personal preference?
You have helped me considerably with my quest for a cheap (up to £4000) stylish economical car with leather seats, and have suggested a MX5 or BMW Z3, and I am also considering an MGTF - my local garage...
I am looking to get a 7 seater MPV with LPG, but cant seem to find any on your website. Can you point me in the right direction?
I have a stone chip just above the windscreen, and it has gone down to bare metal and is rusting. Is this common with Suzuki? They have told me that the roof metal is not galvanised.
I am literally about to buy (already paid a deposit) a 2007 BMW 320 SE with 37k on the clock. I am paying £10,995 for it, but when I did some investigation with 'webuyanycar & cash4cars' I found that if...
My Mondeo airbag warning light is intermittently coming on. Any suggestions as to problem?
I have a 2007 V70 that has developed a rumble on the left side of the car. It sounds like a suspension issue, quiet on smooth roads but rumbles on uneven surface. I've looked all round but can't see any...
A couple of days ago I had an accident. I hit another car from behind. Seems like this will be my fault but: Question 1: The vehicle i drove in to had tinted back lights. So I didn't know what the driver...
I am considering a diesel engine for my next car, but as my journey to work is only about 5 miles at low speeds will the heater actually come through warm on cold mornings before I get to work?
At the moment I have a Volvo V50 (2004) I had lots of problems with my Volvo and would now like to trade it in. The children are leaving home and I am looking at Alfa Mito 1.4(120ps) or a Volvo C30. I...
I am looking to buy a new small car, so far I like the Fiat Panda, good deals to be had, and good space for me as I am 6ft 4. The car will stand for 4 weeks at a time, and have mixed use for about a week...
John, As you will be aware Autoquake has been put into administration. Last December I bought a Ford Focus from Autoquake, partially comforted by the sight of your smiling face on their paperwork. The...
I've had a VW Sharan for 10 years and it's regularly starting to breakdown, so it's time for a new one. The kids are getting older so there is no need for an MPV anymore, but we prefer to sit up high,...