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Questions from January 2012
The Engine Management Light has illuminated on my early 2000 Volvo V70 petrol estate. My local garage, which I think is reliable, says it is the heating element that brings the Lambda sensor up to scratch...
When my 2005 Peugeot 407 SW was 12 months old the ABS/ESP showed to be faulty and was rectified under warranty. Shortly after another sensor was faulty and replaced, followed within six months by a third....
In a recent reply you wrote that cars will now fail their MoT tests if certain warning lights, including airbag warning lights, indicate anything wrong. For the last three years I've been driving a 2003...
Among the myriad of gadgets in modern vehicles, I wonder why there is no "Speed Limit Reminder". As you enter the speed limit you would press the appropriate one of a row of buttons on the steering wheel,...
I saw advertised a Honda CR-V offer which was worth about £2500 off the asking price. I went to my local dealership and had a test drive. I liked it. They informed me that they had one in stock in the...
I have a middle age hankering after a Jaguar XF. I have seen a 2010 3-litre petrol model that I may be able to get for £15,000. It has had two owners and covered 25,000 miles. I do around 5000 miles a...
The mpg on my Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 MultiAir TCT has worsened to a combined 26.4mpg. I have just got it back from the dealer today after having it checked and they have said there is nothing wrong with...
I thought your readers might be interested in this info. In the last 16 years I've mainly owned and run older cars. What I've found is that you can insure a lot of cars over 16 years old on a classic car...
I no longer drive conventional cars, but I live in the country and much enjoy travelling our lanes on my electric buggy. I am a fairly tough old fella and am not much deterred by the exposure to the elements...
I note that on April 7 you printed a letter from JMS who reported he'd been driving 55 years and never claimed on insurance or had a claim against him. He'd just renewed a fully comprehensive policy for...
On a recent long weekend in Paris I eventually noticed that there were very few Ford or GM (Vauxhall or Opel) badged cars. Obviously the French are patriotic and therefore almost all cars were Peugeot,...
Regarding AA's neighbour being fined for driving 2mph over the speed limit (22 June), the police here in Hong Kong deduct 4mph from your recorded speed to allow for the inaccuracy of speed cameras. They...
I have a 2004 Ford Mondeo Ghia TDCI 130. It has done 75,000 miles. Would it be advisable to have the injectors and associated pump changed soon as I have been informed that they are suspect?
We are looking for a bit of car buying advice. My dad recently passed away and my mum is now thinking she needs a vehicle which is a bit more practical (and economical) in a Yorkshire winter, something...
I have a Volkswagen Golf Match TSI 1.4 DSG Automatic which is three years and eight months old, mileage 30,000. It's been fully serviced by our local Volkswagen supplier. I’ve been advised that we have...
On holiday in France, my Skoda Superb TDI 170 DSG Elegance Estate kept going into 'safe' mode. This meant that the car would not drive at more than 80kmh on the flat and not more than 60kmh up hills. Skoda...
My son fell victim to the freak hailstones yesterday that caused much damage to the roof and bonnet of his car. Many of his friends came off even worse with cracked windscreens and light cluster damage....
I have been delighted with the comfort and wear rate on my 2008 BMW 320D Touring 17 inch runflats. However, following replacement I experienced low-pressure warnings, which, on checking all four tyres,...
Recently, I helped my lady-pensioner cousin with a claim on her car insurance. She had been a customer for several years with Co-op Insurance Services (CIS), based in Manchester. She flew back from holiday...
Would you please be able to advise me on what car to get? I currently have a 2007 Volkswagen Polo 5-door, and am very pleased with it and indeed this is the third Polo that I have owned and I would like...
Nitrogen, the main constituent of air, has the same basic physical properties as air and responds in exactly the same way as air when the temperature and pressure vary (over the ranges that would be found...
I recently damaged the car of a visitor to our house here in Cornwall, whilst manoeuvring my van in our drive. This was my fault as the other vehicle, an Audi A5, was parked and empty, and I misjudged...
I am going to France shortly and would quite like to have a prepaid or post-paid device for paying the motorway tolls. Can you advise of the best method?
I find that my new Toyota Yaris TR VVT-i CVT will roll backwards on a hill in "Drive" unless I have my foot on the accelerator or brake. This seems wrong to me as my previous car with CVT (MG ZR 120 Stepspeed)...
Is this a record? My email to Bridgend CBC to fix my road about a deepening pothole was timed at 11.15 on 29/6/12. I drove past the site at 16.15 and it had already been repaired.
Regarding an APCOA Parking Enforcement Notice at East Midlands Airport, I have been asked for £100 for dropping off/picking up in a no stop zone - "The Alleged contravention Breach of the terms and conditions...
I am old. In car years, my vehicle is even older. I don’t drive it because I like classic cars. I drive it because, not having a nice taxpayer-funded pension, I simply can’t afford a better one. Even used...
Regarding increases on AA renewal, my wife and I have dual cover and were asked for £163.86 to renew, reduced to £131.05 if we took out an AA credit card. I had a quote from the RAC for £95. On contacting...
I need an economical saloon for commuting and visiting a sick relative on a regular basis.
I want something that has prestige, torque, is economical and well built. My budget is £6000 tops.
I have narrowed...
Is it best for me to buy a estate car with 30,000 miles on the clock with FSH 2006 06 at 14445 with lots of extras a good buy? It's in a private dealer with FSH by Mercedes and is an ex-lease car and it...
I have just bought my sister an 09 Fiesta Style 1.2 with 195/50/R15 Hankooks on steel wheels.
Having decided to treat her further I have located a set of Fox Racing alloys in excellent condition, fitted...
On my MMI display sat nav is not available. Can I load sat nav with a disk or do I have to upgrade the unit?
I've done 1100 miles in a new A-Class 180 CDI auto. I've tried to follow HJ's advice for running in a diesel.
It's now telling me it needs a litre of engine oil. Is this normal? My Lexus RX3000 and my...
In your article about the MOT rules from 1/1/12, you advise that afterrmarket HID conversions will fail without washers and self-levelling.
You appear to be wrong on this. The official MOT testers manual...
I need to get rid of my beloved 51 diesel Fabia estate and swap it for a second hand hatchback.
I'd like an economical diesel (manual) which is safe, but with good handling for Cornish roads.
It will...
I want to change my car to meet our new requirements. Some years ago you recommended the Seat Leon Cupra TDi, which I bought. I love this car but as age creeps on (I will be 60 soon) and as we mainly do...
I am seriously considering buying a very tidy 07 plate E220 CDI Estate at 150,000 miles for £8k. Is this daft? What are the main (cost) problems that might be expected?
I have read the reviews and the...
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After local price checks compared to Kwik Fit etc. Watford Audi supplied and fitted a set of winter tyres to my A3 for the best price. They also did an engine management software upgrade,...
My 18 year old grandson passed his test last year. In April I will be buying him a small car. It needs to have low insurance, low VED and be economical to run and maintain. I don't know where to go to...
Please note the 67.3 mpg combined you show and Kia show in the information for this model I believe is not attainable in normal driving if there is such a thing.
I did a test as recommended by the garage...
I have owned a 2011 Volvo V50 D2 DRIVe 1.6 bought as a demonstrator in May 2011 with only 11 miles on the clock at the time of purchase.
After approximately 2000 miles the gearbox developed a clunk when...
Am looking to spend around £4k for a small, reliable, economic car (with low insurance) which will have to carry out a 50 mile a day round trip commute on dual carriageway & country roads.
Was looking...
I have had a Skoda Octavia 2.0 DSG Diesel estate for the last 5 years on a lease from HSBC. It had done 60,000 and has had nothing wrong with it at all in that time - just routine services, MOT and new...
Is it the filter seal or windscreen seal? I have water in all of my footwells under the carpet but showing through carpet sometimes. Front windscreen also mists up alot when not in vehicle and have also...
My daughter (37 yrs old) has a 1999 1.8 Focus which is getting ropey. She is now interested in a 2005 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI SE with 75K on the clock. The car is being sold via a dealer and has FSH and...
I am 28 but only passed my test a year ago. I will be doing about 24k per year on the dual carriageway commute (30 miles each way). My budget is £6000 but could add a little for the right car. Was thinking...
Have a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 on an 02 plate, with 86k. Now I want to change it and would like a good diesel car that's good to drive. Budget £3000.
I've just been given my first car - a 1998 Ford Fiesta non-turbo diesel. I'm the fifth owner. My dad says that I should always stick the best fuel possible in my car because, having done 200K miles, it...
I'm thinking of purchasing a BMW 320i 2.2 2003 59k, immaculate in all respects apart from a rattle or ticking from the engine compartment that I noticed on tick over, possibly more noticeable when warm....
I have purchased a 57 registered BMW E91 Touring from Car Giant with full service history and for a fair price. Within two days the car was misfiring at low engine speeds.
Taking it to my local main...
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