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Questions from May 2012
My wife currently runs a 2004 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Twist. Her annual mileage is about 3000 - 4000 made up of fairly short journeys of up to 20 miles. She is always complaining about the fuel economy (currently...
I have owned a Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI since new in 2004. It has been (and still is) a superb car with which I have experienced no troubles at whatsoever. It returns 45mpg plus and its only drawback...
The subject of Accident Management Companies often crops up in your column. I consider that car owners can do much to put these parasites out of business by insisting that their accident-damaged cars be...
One point you have missed in your recent replies about insurers is the 'preferred repairer'. What happened to the old method of providing three independent quotes for the repair to the insurer? Surely...
In negotiating with a national main franchised dealer on a used car part-exchange deal in early January, we stalled briefly when I considered the trade-in value of my old car was £500 short of the mark....
About six weeks ago I took delivery of a new X3 2.0i diesel after a wait of over seven months. It's my first BMW. I thought you might be interested in a short report.
1) According to the dashboard readout,...
I am hiring a car through Ryanair in May for 10 days for driving in Spain and France. There is a large excess payable should one be involved with a claim. Rather than take out super cover, which is very...
My 76-year-old mother drove an 2003 Vauxhall Vectra petrol 2.2 automatic with below average mileage. Eleven months ago a new automatic gearbox was installed and last week we lost drive again. The automatic...
I have seen a 2001 Mercedes SLK 320 for sale with 53,000 miles, two owners and FSH for £6495. Can you tell me if this is a fair price and what are the most common faults are with this car? It would be...
I am concerned with the cold calls that I am now receiving from claims agents who are trying so hard to get me to make a claim that would be on my own insurance. What I do not understand is how my insurance...
I have a BMW F11 5-Series Touring on standard 17-inch wheels with 225/55 R17 runflat tyres. The ride is awful and I have always assumed that the stiffness in the walls causes much of the harsh ride.
I purchased a new Honda Insight Hybrid in July 2011. My previous car was a Mercedes C-200. I am finding the ride somewhat harder than my previous car. Is there anything one can do to improve the harder...
The fuel economy, low cost tax and relative cheapness of the ford fusion 1.4 diesel has my interest. I could afford an early one at nearly ten years old and 100k miles on the clock.
I am wary of the...
There's a problem with my Vectra SRI - it has developed a misfire from 3500rpm in third gear, at which point I get the 'car with a spanner' light and the little engine light come on the dash.
I have replaced...
I bought winter tyres for the first time last winter, from Kwik Fit and used their "tyre hotel" storage service for my summer tyres.
On arranging to swap back to the summer tyres via their website, I...
Injector number one - is this gear box side or crank side in a Peugeot 307cc 2004?
I was pulled over at 10.30pm last night for doing 46 in a 30. The police car was in a lay-by with his lights off. I saw him as I drove past and watched him pull out and follow me with his lights off for...
The cigarette lighter & stereo controls don't work on my recently purchased car. I've changed the fuse and still no luck. Any other suggestions? Are they linked? The dealer won't cover electrical faults,...
We have an older Honda CR-V Executive and want a nearly new soft roader very similar in every respect. But we dislike the front end looks of the new CRV.
What would you recommend that fits this criteria:...
A family member wants to get an automatic diesel with a maximum budget of £5,500. It has to be smooth and have lots of torque. What cars would you suggest looking at?
I am looking at a replacement for my Mazda2 of similar size or a little larger.
New or used is fine. I travel 4000 miles per year. Would like a car with cruise control and must be fun to drive, as well...
Will the Euro VI emissions standards apply to existing diesel engines and would I also need a Nitrogen Oxide trap, or would my 8 year old diesel Merc be OK?
I have a Transit Connect. When it was cold I used to get a diesel knock, so I had all 4 injectors changed and since then the knock has got worse, now it even does it when engine is warm. It only happens...
Need new family car with space for a stage two baby seat, easy access for toddler and a big boot for buggy, shopping and European holidays.
Can't decide between posh tourer for comfort and economy or...
We are looking to buy a family car with a large boot. I cover around 12k miles annually - daily commute of 12 miles each way - more or less all motorway. Are we right to rule out the diesel option?
Our...
My daughter recently took her 1.2 ecotec Corsa in to Evans Halshaw York for the 20,000 service (at 22k miles) and told them the clutch was juddering.
The car is still within the 2 year warranty, and...
I recently bought a Audi A4 S line TDI 2L 148bhp, reg in December 2008. It now has 80,000 miles. I'm having it serviced soon but wonder if I need to change any of the belts? Its last service was at 60,000...
Car serviced in Oct 2011 with front pads reported as 25% worn rear pads 10% worn. This was at 15,763 miles. Now at 22,658miles front pads are 70%worn and rear needs new discs and pads.
Is this reasonable.
I bought a new car from the forecourt of my local reputable dealer. After 3 months I am still chasing for the registration certificate. I have contacted DVLA and they tell me the car is already registered...
Can you recommend a good first car for my daughter to learn to dive in? Safe, reliable, and economical.
I am considering buying a used Lexus IS 200. The car will be from around 2002, have under 100,000 miles on it and preferably have a full service history. Is this a good purchase or are there any possibile...
I have had my beloved Puma for ten years and due to its age, it's starting to get expensive to run. Why did Ford stop making Pumas, and will they ever manufacture them again? I have heard that Puma drivers...
I was driving down the motorway and all of a sudden noticed the car was juddering or jolting somewhat like it was loosing power momentarily. This has happened a few times in the last month but the problem...
With the Euro falling faster than a fast thing, I reviewed the 2010 EU Car price list today. It appeared then as if there was still a lot of variance in the pre-tax prices between countries, and a huge...
I own a SEAT Arosa 1.0, R reg (1998) and for what I want it's been very reliable (although the mpg is about 40). I intend to change it soon and have been impressed with the reviews of the VW Up. In your...
My 3 year old saab 9-5 2.3 turbo estate is about to be written off after an accident. What can i get? It is my 4th Saab and nothing sems to come close for great seat comfort, performance, space and overall...
I got a paking ticket from UKPC firm. I was parked in Riverside Northampton in a disabled spot - I have got a blue badge for my mum, my mum was with me and the blue badge must of fallen down. When I came...
Many readers complain about the difference between published and actual MPG's. Until something better is developed, I think the current Euro test is good and as you always report should only be used for...
I live in the Isle of Man and I'm looking for a new, very cheap to run car. Have been warned off the Hyundai i10 Blue due to the hills on the Island and I'm getting mixed reviews about the MPG of the Hyundai...
My husband and I love our Honda Accords but they are over 7 years old. We've moved somewhere rural and my poor Type S gets manure in the twin exhausts, punctures and scratches from pulling in all the time...
The Fiesta Econetic has "lowered suspension." How much lower? Would this make it unsuitable for Lincolnshire? We have the odd track to houses and some horrible road surfaces.
I need to replace all 4 tyres on my well loved Rover 75 CDTI saloon. The car has done 82K miles and I intend to keep it for probably another 3-4 years/ 30k miles.
Which make of tyre would you suggest...
I am the main full-no-claims-driver of a car normally kept off-road in a private drive in a low-risk area.
My 40-year-old daughter is an additional driver on the insurance policy and has had a licence...
I have a Toyota Avensis 2008 D4D model. It has only covered 32,500 miles but has developed a problem where it intermittently won't start and can cut out when driving - which is has done in lane 3 of the...
I am getting a noise from the engine, sounds like a belt making noise. I took it to a garage and they said a bearing has gone on the water pump and would cost 200 pounds to fix. Is this a known problem...
Test drove a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Titanium yesterday - every thing seemed okay, the car had four people inside and had the a/c turned on and it still pulled very well indeed!
It's done 88000 miles...
My car was in an accident not my fault. The insurers have agreed liability. My car is worth £2000. However they want to repair my car price being £1500 plus they have given me a rental car. I have had...
I have a 59 plate Freelander 2 fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Zero 235/60 R18/103V Tyres. The car has done 21,500 miles and the near back wheel has developed a rumbling noise over about 50 mph.
My dealer...
I only have one key for my 2001 RAV4 - what is the cheapest option to get a spare?
Home is on a hill and the garage drive also has a significant uphill slope, so both cars are frequently parked on a hill.
We normally use 'Park' on the automatic box and not handbrake. Is this likely...
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