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Questions from April 2012
I am planning to buy my sixth car, which must be a premium sedan. I have shortlisted the F10 BMW 530d, W212 Mercedes-Benz E350CDI, new Jaguar XF diesel S and Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro. My priorities are...
You often say manufacturers mpg figures are unreliable. When I bought my 2.0L petrol Ford Mondeo in 2003 the brochure gave the combined mpg as 35.3. The ongoing average mpg I get is 35.6. This seems about...
I purchased a Renault Scenic 1.5DCI EDC from a Renault dealer at six months old and was informed that the previous owner could not get on with the auto gearbox. I have found the vehicle has performed superbly...
Earlier this year, I replaced my wife's Mini Clubman Cooper S with the new Clubman Cooper SD. I am delighted with car, although it has a rather noisy engine, it goes well and the torque excellent. I do...
I am a 57-year old female and I need to change the family car in the very near future. At present I drive a 56-reg Nissan Micra C+C, which I like driving and I have enjoyed having a convertible. The new...
People over 50 should be very careful when dealing with insurance companies who purport to offer a special service to them. My wife, with an impeccable driving record, recently went to renew her insurance...
We have a 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML 270 CDI 4x4 auto showing 52,000 miles, mainly on motorways but a little off-road, and also a 2007 Mercedes-Benz B200 CDI Auto showing 17,000 miles, mainly around town and...
I would like to ask if you have any experience of 'Snow Socks' for winter driving, that fit over the two driving wheels of front or rear drive vehicles as an alternative to snow chains? My vehicle was...
We are buying a Honda Jazz shortly, but we have been advised by friends that we should go for an automatic as they say "once you have driven an automatic you will never go back to a manual". We have heard...
Just to add to the debate about the 500 TwinAir, my daughter has been running one in London for a year now, and has done 5000 miles. Average fuel consumption is 33.3mpg according to the computer - and...
I want to ask for comparison about three gasoline-engined cars. Skoda Superb 1.4 122hp, Peugeot 508 1.6 120hp or Toyota Avensis 1.6 132hp. Which car is the best for comfort, reliability, price/performance...
Many thanks for your recent advice on the best paintwork clay cleaner and wax products for my MX-5. Could you now advise on the best polishing method and products?
Am I being over fussy by complaining to my local Kwik-Fit depot for the damage to a jacking point on my Peugeot 407? Before I realised what he was doing, the fitter used a large trolley jack under the...
My Volvo S80 D5 was delivered in Dec 2003 and has done 80,000 miles without a problem. The Volvo service book says after 96,000 miles or eight years I should change the timing belt. Should I have the belt...
My Mondeo Titanium five-door hatch is coming up for three years old and 20,000 miles. At a recent check-up I was dismayed to be told that the front tyres had only 1000 miles at most left on them. I was...
We have recently bought a new KIA Venga 3 automatic for which the consumption figures were quoted as 48mpg for a long run. We've never had trouble achieving the claimed for mpg in any car in the past....
I drive a three-year-old Audi A4 TDI and cover 85 miles each day to and from my place of work. My total annual mileage is roughly 28,000. On 5 November I drove my car from cold about a mile and went shopping....
You kindly printed my letter where I asked if you could recommend someone to restore my Triumph Stag and I thought I’d let you know the outcome. You forwarded an e-mail from another correspondent who recommended...
I have a set of Pirelli Scorpion STR tyres on a Volvo XC70. I discussed winter tyres with my local tyre dealer last year and he pointed out that Scorpions are designated M+S and, although not true winter...
I recently saw something I have never seen before: an honest approach to dealing with speeding that is motivated by road safety rather than revenue collection. Driving in France along a straight stretch...
My query relates to being in Scotland. For disputes of less than £5000, you often refer dissatisfied customers to the Small Claims Track of the County Court to sue for damages. And, on a separate tack,...
I have been offered a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Avantgarde with 63,000 on the clock. One previous owner with full main dealer service history for £2400. The interior is leather and in excellent condition,...
To help provide jobs in the UK and reduce the UK’s negative balance of payment problem we always, as far as possible, buy UK made products. Both our present vehicles are UK-made and our next car (Honda...
We have a nine-year-old Corolla manual car at present, which has been wonderful. Owing to age and some infirmity we need to change to an automatic car. We also need a four (or five) door car now. I believe...
BL had £5000 for a car needed for a 400-mile weekly commute. I had to make this choice about four years ago. My choice was a 2.0-litre 2001 Peugeot 406 Coupe, purchased for £3500 with 70,000 miles on the...
I had a shock yesterday when I opened the post and received a Notice of Intended Prosecution from the Metropolitan Police. It is alleged that I had been travelling at 38mph on a 30mph restricted road at...
We own a 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK 2.3K that has just completed 32,000 miles on its original tyres. We need to replace two rear tyres and I have been searching for tyre reviews online. Most review sites cover...
Can you explain why relatively few manufacturers fit Bluetooth as standard on all their models? It seems that for most new cars you either add it as an option, or it's simply not available. With mobile...
You recently mentioned high oil consumption of BMW 4-cylinder petrol engines. I bought a BMW 1 Series convertible this year. A couple of months ago the oil warning light flashed on and, as I was local...
I was involved in an accident in August where someone went into the back of my car. The other driver admitted it was his fault and the claim was entirely settled through his insurance. However, I came...
I have a Mercedes-Benz A-Class and want to replace it. Can you tell me what Mercedes models I should be looking at? I fancy a sportier model of this type whilst I can still get into them. Yes I am doing...
I have been advised by my local Ford Dealer that the Ford Motor Company has discontinued producing the Ford Fusion. Do you know whether or not it has any plans to produce a similar vehicle on the Fiesta...
In response to your articles about winter tyres, I contacted Event Tyres and have now been fitted with a set of Michelin 205/55 R16 91H Alpins. Your correspondent MY, Poole has the same car as myself so...
My Peugeot has 18 inch wheels. I intend to fit winter tyres this winter. Can I move to 17-inch wheels without affecting suspension, steering, speedo etc as the ride is harsh on 18-inch wheels?
I own a Xsara Picasso with manual gears. My wife has shattered her left wrist and will be unable to use the gears or handbrake. We are looking at a Citroen C4 Picasso EGS which has auto gear change on...
My wife has owned a 57-plate Fiesta 1.2L Style from 6 months of age and has done 20k. We are looking to change and wonder what your choice would be? Fiesta, Corsa and Polo are all on our list currently....
We bought a car on Auto Trader a week ago and paid in cash (£5550) but the car is registered under company name. We got 3 sets of keys, full up to 83k Audi dealer history. I was given the green slip of...
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