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Questions from April 2012
I've been noticing frequent issues where I lose a slight amount of power, and my mpg drops by about 10mpg. I've noticed the engine takes around 10 minutes/7 miles (same journey every morning) to reach...
My wife has the option of buying a 2007 Mercedes 280CDI from her company for £13,000. The car has covered 50,000 miles and we need the seven seat carrying capacity.
The gearbox recently failed and a...
My BMW 525 diesel ( 04/54 ) has now covered 73,000 miles mainly around town with occassional long runs and the service computer is showing 90,000 miles to a DPF change!
I mention this because, as a regular...
My BMW 2010 318i's engine oil light came on, so I topped it up. Is it normal to top up engine oil?
I feel it is time to treat myself and am proposing to purchase either an E-Class Mercedes-Benz estate or 5 Series BMW Touring. Either will be less than a year old, but the question I am really stuck on...
For about a year I have had an airbag warning light showing on my 2006 BMW 335ci which has covered a mere 15,000 miles. Last week I had it booked in to the local BMW dealer and received a severe shock...
I'm looking to buy a used Mini Cooper S JCW, and have found two that meet my budget and spec on Mini’s approved site. They are the same price, but one is one year old with 8500 on the clock, while the...
I recently purchased a Porsche Cayman 3.4s and managed to insure it to include five track days. However I was chatting to a friend with considerable motor racing experience, and he advised against taking...
What is the advantage that wide alloy wheels and low profile tyres have over more normal wheels and tyres, apart from a harsher ride?
I am considering buying a nearly new Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI. From all reports this would appear to be a very good car, but I am 70 years old and would prefer trouble-free motoring, and I am concerned about...
My son is looking for a family car and is just entering parenthood. What make and model would you recommend we look at? We are seeking a car from around 2006 to 2008 with under 30,000 miles.
I love my FIAT 500 Cabriolet, but it has been back to the dealers many times for the same problem. Every time I leave it a day or two without using it I return to find it will not start. The car is a 2010...
We are visiting Dallas, Texas in three months' time. We've been to Dallas once before and getting around by public transport is impractical and not much fun, because everyone drives. Luckily we were ferried...
I’ve just been the victim of an attempted scam. I received a phone call from a woman stating she was checking my automatic insurance renewal. She gave me lots of correct details about myself, my wife and...
The fuel economy of my 2007 Audi A6 2.0TDI Avant Multitronic has always been poor from new at 34mpg, rising to 40 in mid 2011 and now having dropped steadily back to 33mpg. Most of my mileage consists...
I have just had the key fob from my wife’s 11-year-old Fiat Punto refurbished at www.keyfobrepair.co.uk. They replaced the microswitches, battery and top casing, and now its as good as new, all for the...
The driver’s side car mat in my 3 Series BMW needs replacing. The other three mats are virtually as new. It would appear that I have to buy a complete set of four mats to replace one. Is this a rip off...
I currently drive a 2006 Focus ST which I've owned for four years, and apart from a replacement alternator and door strap the only cost has been routine servicing. The car has now covered 53,000 miles....
My wife and I require a paid driver to take us in our motorhome from Slough to a hospital in Sheffield, and the driver is to return to his home by public transport. Then, in a few days time, he would need...
Apropos your recent article on signposting prices and brands of petrol on the motorway, did you know there is actually a law against declaring what is being sold at petrol stations? This old law goes back...
I have attached an advert for a motor mechanic in the early 1960s that shows how the motor trade has changed to white coats and computers.
You have often said that undertaking is not against the law but, according to the local press, Greater Manchester police is starting a campaign to catch people doing so. I would be interested on your thoughts....
When a connecting rod failed and punched a hole in the side of the 1.9TDI engine block of my 2007 SEAT Leon, I didn’t hold out much hope of a happy outcome. SEAT UK and Miller and Middleton SEAT in Colchester...
I have a 1.4 manual Jazz and would use the services of Honda Happiness Accident Assistance if the need arose. However my current insurance with Sainsbury’s Finance includes amongst the excesses: “Repair...
My wife and I are considering buying a Toyota RAV4 to replace our current Honda Civic, but the current model is a bit long in the tooth. Please do you know if Toyota is to replace it in the near future?...
You confirmed last week that Shell V-Power diesel has advantages over ordinary diesel in terms of particulates and improved performance. I similarly use BP Ultimate diesel in the expectation that it should...
For the past four years, I have enjoyed completely trouble free motoring from my 2004 Audi 2.4 V6 saloon, thanks entirely to the superb (and modestly priced) servicing care received from my local independent...
I have just spent nearly £7000 having a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 restored, in addition to paying nearly £2000 four years ago for a new Vega engine. I have been alarmed to hear of the increasing quantity...
I grow increasingly annoyed with my fellow motorists who pretty much, without fail, do not use car indicators to signal their intended direction. I spend a lot of time in Bournemouth and I truly believe...
Should I reduce my insurance due to the age of my 13-year-old Ford Ka? I have fully comp, legal and no-claims discount cover for £250. Very occasionally my son, who has his own car insurance, drives it,...
On 14 August 2011, my partner contacted a mainland dealer regarding a vehicle he had seen on the internet which he wanted to view. As we live in Jersey, we were told that a 10 per cent deposit would take...
We have had very satisfactory service from our Fiat Multipla JTD ELX which is now 10 years old, has covered over 140,000 miles and, although running well, should perhaps be replaced. We do about 12,000...
We are looking at buying either the Micra K13, Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto. We are interested in the CVT models and wondered what connects the gearbox to the engines in these. Are they torque converters...
I run a Renault Koleos Privilege 150, and a cracking car it is. I can't think why they stopped selling it. It recently went for its first MoT and I was surprised to be told that the rear brake pads needed...
Thank you for your reply about 17-year-olds and quad bikes. I hope that you'll find the following information helpful. Although the driving licence regulations generally require a provisional licence holder...
I'd like to buy a secondhand car not more than two years old, but I would consider new if I can get a good discount. I would also prefer a hatchback, but again would consider a small estate. Good fuel...
My car is a petrol Skoda Octavia vRS, which I purchased new in May last year and I would say is one of the best cars I have owned. However my increased mileage of 25,000 per year is hurting my wallet and...
I am a pensionable age female who is currently driving a Honda Jazz EX, manual transmission, which I think is absolutely wonderful. My brother in law keeps telling me that I should convert to an automatic...
I had a new 2008 A5 3.0TDI Quattro. However I was very disappointed with the car's performance in the December 2010 snow, compared to my wife's 2002 Audi 1.8t Quattro. So I intend purchasing a new vehicle...
I have a 2006 1.7 Meriva Design Diesel and am now looking for a Meriva SE 1.7 Diesel Automatic as a replacement. Can you give me an idea of the price I should pay for that model and an idea of the part-exchange...
I read your explanation regarding the emulisification of biofuels and think you have mixed up the two major fuel types: Bioethanol (ethanol from a biological source rather than crude oil distillation)...
Regarding BN's letter "Chevy chaste", I don't know whether the capital gains tax rules in the USA are different, but in the UK there is no capital gains tax on motorcars. If one wonders why, it's because...
I have today received through the post from CP Plus a CHARGE NOTICE.
This is for parking at the Clacket Lane South Services for 39 mins over the allowed / free 2 hour time limit.
The payment requested...
Looking through some old papers I came across a letter from my brother written in 1960. With some friends he had helped the police in Bristol catch a very clearly drunken driver (who finally crashed into...
We have a 56 reg Passat TDI 140. It's been a really good car for the four-plus years we have had it. Spending money on wear and tear is fine and the £1000 or so spent last year on a service, cambelt change,...
We are looking for a large MPV - Auto/Diesel - which will only do around 6-7k pa.
What do you think of the high mileage Ford Galaxys for sale by Addison Lee Car Sales? You can get 100-125k mile cars for...
I'm looking to replace my Renault Sport Clio 172 next year with a Hyundai Ix35. Does the Hyundai Ix35 CRDi Style 2.0 litre have a chain cam engine as I've found that replacing cambelts every 4 years is...
I moved to Athens last year and bought a 2010 Hyundai i30. I now want to replace it with a car I can manouevre through the narrow streets and car parks but which has a bit more poke on mountain roads and...
How would I remove the Blaupunkt radio fitted to a 2009 Chevrolet Lacetti?
I have a 52 plate Ford Focus chic my problem is with the air con.
Everything is fine with the air con until the car is up to temp, then it switches itself off and then on again and keeps doing this until...
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