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Questions from November 2011
You recently commented unfavourably on the VW DSG, and the hesitation at roundabouts.
I want an automatic with a high seating position, and with sufficient room in the boot for a wheelchair. I was considering...
I have a 53-Plate Vauxhall and every night the alarm goes off at 3am. Why is that? I have disconnected the battery, but it's too much hassle if you need to go out early in the morning.
I'm having real problems selling my car. It is advertised on Autotrader below for your reference.
It has now been on and off the site for four months, using all media available - online, mobile and magazine.
So...
I was thinking of buying a 57/08 Vectra 1.9CDTi with less than 30k miles on the clock - in the region of £7-£8k.
If insurance premium is not an issue, should I go for a 56/07 Mercedes-Benz E-class estate...
In August I bought a used 2008 Mazda from a trader & with exception of replacement door locks was assured there had been no accident damage or repairs.
Couple of weeks later during a rainy spell I noticed...
My 52-plate Audi A4 3.0 Cabriolet developed an ECU problem in the multi-tronic 'box a couple of years ago where it constantly runs in "limp home" mode.
At the time Audi quoted £1,200 to fix it, but I...
I misfuelled my XC90 diesel this morning. Put 12 litres of petrol instead of diesel in the tank. I realised while filling it up, stopped and called Volvo.
Dealer just called back. They want to
- Remove...
I picked up my used car, a 57 plate X5. It had a steering issue which pulled it to the left. On taking it back to the dealership I was told it was fine.
I pointed out that front nearside tyre on the...
Can I use 205/55 R16 winter tyres on 16" rims in place of current set up - 225/40 R18 tyres on 18" alloys?
I don't do much winter driving around the home counties, and my service place says that they are not necessary.
However, is it worth spending £900 on winter tyres for a Volvo S80, it has 225/50/17 fitment...
I have just purchased a S/H Galaxy. The only info I can find re changing the cambelt is at 125,000 miles/ 10 years. Surely that is too long to leave it?
Buying a small car - which is best for our needs ?
Fiat 500, or 500 TwinAir, current Panda or new 2012 Panda?
Most use in city with steep hills & occasional long motorway trips.
My 102,000 mile vRS has run its entire life on 205/45/R16 tyres - these are usually rated 83W (all year round use).
I am struggling to find identically specified Winter/Snow Tyres.
A number of internet...
My 2004 Volvo S80 2.0T Manual is nearly 7 years old and has done 61,000 trouble free miles. It is a lovely car to drive, especailly on long journeys. It is well out of its warranty period and I have it...
We are a retired couple living in London and spending half the year at our house in SW France.
We’ve owned a fully loaded Volvo V70 T5 (02) since new in 2002, which we’ve used over the years to transport...
Exhaust/ burning smell inside cabin when stopped after driving. Car is a CR-V, done 70,000 miles and is regularly serviced.
Has happened over the last 5/6000 miles. I can control the smell by using air...
I have taken your and others advice about fitting winter tyres (Federal Himalaya SUV 225 55 18). I have found that they have affected the handling of my truck.
It now tends to follow the contours of...
I need to replace my 10-year-old Vauxhall Corsa.
My prime concerns are safety and solid build as I may be carrying a first grandchild in the car.
It also needs to be economical to run and comfortable...
I have been told that it is possible to take off the DPF and replace it with exhaust, (or simply knock out the middle of the DPF) and then "remap" the system (if the garage has the correct kit to do so)....
I am having problems when I start my car on a morning when its been wet and cold, or standing more than a day.
It sometimes either makes like a vibration feeling and then stops, or sounds as if it's...
My Toyota 2008 25000miles bought from independent dealer 1st Sept 2011
We had a problem with our 2008 Yaris 1.3 SR within the 1st week of ownership and under 30 miles covered. The engine malfunction...
Satnavi.Com offers an update for Honda 2008 voice activated sat-nav for £40 - is this genuine?
I'm looking to put four new (premium brand) tyres on my wife's Honda Jazz 1.4 ES Manual (2009 model). It came fitted with Dunlops. I can also get a good deal on Pirelli, Michelin and Bridgestone. (175/65...
I'm in the market for a second hand SUV, got around £7k to spend.
Have previously owned an 03 Freelander which I liked, but had a lot of problems with. I was thinking Nissan X-Trail or RAV4, but I've...
CR-V had issues from new with wheel alignment finally resolved at aprox 28k.
Honda just advised in reply to me concern re juddering in the steering when turning that I need a Diff Flush (£117) and more...
We have a water leak somewhere on the passenger side of our Ford Ka. A Ford Main Dealer and a Ford Body Repair Shop have both tried to find it but to no avail.
The carpets are wet in both the front and...
I've just started a new job with a 50 mile commute each way, mainly on motorways and fast A roads.
Is it worth getting a diesel? And how about if I want to have an automatic?
My budget is £5000-8000,...
I am seeking to purchase a used estate car of 1.6-litres. This could be a small to medium size car valued about £6000 max and 3 to 4 years old.
I’m thinking of buying a used Honda Jazz 1.4 iVTEC ES (Manual), up to two years old, to be used mostly on daily 30 mile round trips to work.
At the following website drivers reported that the Jazz’s...
Now you have kindly sorted my tow car choice, (brilliant!) my next problem is 2 teenagers (18, male, 17 female) both wishing to learn to drive.
We have a Fiesta Finesse 1.3 which my wife and I both drive,...
I work as a ghillie and drive down a wee bit of a rough track each day. I need a 4x4, question is which one(second hand)?
I also want good fuel consumption and a lot of space for fishing tackle and the...
The handbook for my new 2011 Qashqai 4X4 directs that wheels should be switched front to back every 3000 miles. That seems very frequent to me and means I will be in and out of my local tyre fitting garage...
Buying New 4x4 (not 4x2 version) but it will only cover 3000 miles/per annum. As all modern diesels have DPFs we can't have a diesel, so besides Suzuki Grand Vitara & Kia Sportage, what else? Unless someone...
I have a 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK. I am hoping to take it with me when I emigrate to Australia. How easy will it be to import it to Australia? I have found a shipper but there seems to be several taxes...
My wife has a Golf Plus. We discovered a water leak (now cured) that had built up over time and soaked the rear carpets.
The car now smells of damp and the smell has got into the upholstery. Could you...
I just purchased a year old Insignia Tourer SE diesel auto. Its done 8,500 miles and is fitted with Bridgestone Potenza 245/45/R18's. The road noise inside is quite dreadful. Any known problems with...
My oil light came on so I went to Halfords to be sold 2l of oil for £21, own brand.
I was left with the distinct impression that only this oil would do and if I were stupid enough to put anything else...
We've had a Honda Jazz for six years, it's automatic and we've been very pleased with it.
We're now looking to upgrade and there is a hybrid auto available at a local dealer.
Do you rate this car?
Does your advice regarding the use of supermarket fuels still stand? I understand that you recommend the use of premium fuels (diesel in my case) as opposed to cheaper supermarket fuels for better performance,...
Heating has packed up on my ford fiesta t reg,(blows cold air only. Have already replaced thermostat. What else could be the problem?
I have had two previous Passats and a year ago I changed to a Mazda 6 diesel.
Sadly, I have not been impressed with this car and am considering changing back to a 2 or 3 year old Passat.
However, I am...
My father is 75 and losing strength in his left leg so needs an automatic.
He currently has an aging Citroen Picasso manual. He likes the high driving position of the Picasso and would want to retain...
We are looking for a used estate or 4x4/Crossover. My husband is 6'5 and we need to be able to fit a baby seat behind him, which we currently struggle to do in our Jaguar X-type estate. Leg room is the...
I have recently come across the concept that is 'fronting'. I have seen a few articles related to the subject but I'm still not sure what it means. Can you help?
I recently had my Jaguar XF serviced at my local main dealer only to discover a few days later it was leaking oil - a lot of oil.
Clearly I was very angry given that the service was over £400, but what...
What is your opinion of radar detectors? Are they effective? If you like them then do you have a make/model that you recommend?
I have a Vauxhall Zafira 2003, 105000 miles otc.Recently serviced as usual by dealer.Developed a tapping sound, only noticeable on acceleration to 2250 to 2500 revs.
Car runs as usual.
Dealer decided...
We are looking to change our 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe for a cheap to run quality family car. We have narrowed it down to a Volvo V50 DrivE (SE LUX), Golf Bluemotion (1.6 S/Line) or Nissan Qashqai 1.6D Tekna....
I am considering purchasing a Hyundai i10, but the new demonstator had the audible clutch judder that is mentioned repeatedly in mesmerising large numbers on the internet. - A problem that appears to be...
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