What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Questions from July 2012
I have patches of rust on the wheel arches and boot handle on my SLK. I have heard that Mercedes may repair this under a 10-year corrosion warranty, is this the case? My car has been regularly serviced...
My son's car was parked in an official parking bay and was run into by a drink driver. His insurance company have accepted responsibility but "beyond economical repair" has been mentioned. It is my understanding...
I have been driving a Volkswagen Golf mk4 1.4 2001 for over three years now. I am planning to buy a VW Golf mk 1.9tdi. Is the TDI cheaper on fuel?
I have a Renault Laguna 2.0 diesel estate, the heater blower stopped working last week, everything looks as though it is working, just no blower. I have checked the fuses and they are fine.
How do I get best deal, time of month etc. when trading in 06 plate CR-V with 72,000, bearing in mind the impending 2012 CR-V launch.
I'm looking for a recent (or maybe new) car, up to 3 years old, in the Golf/Passat size range. I must have a real spare wheel. Is there a list somewhere that I can access, please?
I drive 50 miles each way to work on the M5 every day. I also have 2 small children, which small family car would you recommend to keep costs down? Is diesel a cheaper option than petrol?
Please advise where I might safely obtain a spare wheel for a 61 (November 2011) Vauxhall Corsa Auto 1.4. Have tried phoning Vauxhall direct - who could not help. The car has the space for a spare wheel...
I really like the look of the 2011 Focus, it gets excellent reviews in most motoring journals.
So why is the real fuel consumption from your register, submitted by owners, so poor for the 2.0TDCi 140bhp...
My garage have warned me that the tyres on my 2010 plate VW Sharan SE (New style) are approaching the minimum tread depth. The tyres currently fitted are Continental "Conti-Seal" tyres - not run flats,...
I have a new Seat Ibiza. Rain/water from my bag/brolly have wet the seat. It has dried but left water marks on the seating.
Dealer and Seat seem to be unsympathetic. Claim this isn't a problem but...
In response to a recent question about the Focus C-max automatic transmission (20th May), you said "This is the nightmare transmission. Only about 300 still on the road.The problem is that the torque output...
Our 2010 Grande Punto 1.4, done 22k, has gone into Fiat main dealer for gearbox whine. They have agreed the noise and stripped the box to investigate under third year warranty. They have decided to fit...
I'm interested in a BMW 5 series (petrol engine) but am confused by the new engine sizes/power outputs, wheel size and possible options such as variable damper control - what is the ideal set-up and are...
Trying to decide on what auto to buy. Husband no longer able to drive. I want reasonable acceleration and decent safety features. I drive mainly in busy London suburbs and on the M25.
My son had his car repossessed and for one reason or another we think he still owes some of the money. Can the debt collectors/ bailiffs gain access to my house without my permission?
A warning light for the coolant temperature on my SEAT Leon mark 1 1.4 petrol often comes on when starting the engine. It will then stay on throughout the journey regardless of length but the temperature...
My wife has a new Mini Cooper SD Auto on the 17" Split Rims, 205/45/17, non run flat tyres and the ride is harsh and choppy. If I change to 205/55/16 tyres will there be any appreciable improvement in...
Had my 5 Series Touring around 12 months. Car has done less than average mileage. All tyres are as fitted from new and are Run Flats. What is disconcerting is that all tyres have excessive wear on the...
The ride on my 56 plate Volvo V50 is both hard and noisy. I would like to replace the low profile tyres currently fitted with normal tyres. Is this possible and if so which tyres would be best suited to...
My wife has MS but wants to maintain her mobility. She drives less than 10,000 miles per year and has to carry 2 cocker spaniels. She needs an automatic and prefers small cars, either new or used. What...
I'm thinking of buying an 08 or 09 Opel/ Vauxhall Zafira. Are there any problems of note with the Opel/ Vauxhall Zafira auto boxes? Which is better - the 120ps or the 150ps with the auto transmission?...
the engine continues to run after ignition switch off and key removal. Engine tone louder and clackety higher revs. Engine will rev using throttle - but no injector pump advance. To stop the engine either...
I am looking to buy a used Jaguar XF; BMW 5; Mercedes E or Audi A6.
My Budget is a flexible £22k. Prime consideration is comfort - both in seats and ride quality. I probably would not recognise 'handling'...
I have recently purchased a pre-owned Jaguar XK8 convertible from a private individual. The lady in question, yes it had one lady owner, sold me her private plate with the car. I now have a V5 from the...
I bought a new Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI (W204) last month and had a Westfalia towbar fitted by the local dealer that the M-B dealer recommended, all worked fine.
I was also told that the appropriate code...
Is either of 2007 BMW X3 3.0d and 2006 ML320CDI likely to be appreciably more reliable than the other?
For driving one of the above on road in bad winter weather and snow, should I use winter tyres or...
I have a 2011 Santa Fe with standard Kumho 235/60/R18 tyres. I need to fit winter tyres for the ski season, and understand it is preferable to fit complete wheel and tyre sets if the winter tyres will...
The DPF light suprisingly came on after a motorway run between Liverpool and Northumberland. I tried the usual of driving as the manual stated, but an extra light came on saying take to garage! I couldn't...
In the autumn I will be changing my eight year old VW Passat TDI 130 and as I do an average of 8,000 miles per annum, including a lot of local runs and the occasional sortie abroad, I intend to revert...
I am undecided which model Galaxy would be the better buy, short and long term. I drive 10,000 miles p.a mostly local journeys but with a 180 mile round trip each fortnight. The car will also make two...
What do you think would be the best car for my girlfriend, age 31, just passed test, in respect of lowest insurance and servicing costs.
We are very much at the budget end of the market. Old bangers...
I have recently purchased an 09 C-Max (with then 15+K on the clock) mainly because of my wife. Not that she nagged me but because she is recovering from having had both hip joints and one knee joint replaced...
I have a 1998 2.3 Ford Galaxy and have been told by someone that they have to have extra load tyres on them. Could you verify this or is it just a recommendation?
I own a Fiat 500 Lounge 1.2 2008, 53k miles.
I took the car to a Fiat garage with a problem with the front windscreen wipers failing.
I was informed that the problem was “low speed wiper motor relay...
Looking to buy a new car, have had diesel for 20 years. Reports indicate costs will be higher for diesel repairs in c. 4 years as I drive 7000 miles per annum - failures of dpf, dual mass flywheel etc....
My wife and will soon be moving from Essex to a village in Exmoor National Park. We are keen walkers, have a medium sized dog and need a vehicle that will enable us to make the most of the moors whatever...
I need a radio code for my Ford radio which is a 5000 RDS EON I have the serial number. What should I do?
Has a whistle when accelerating. Appears to be from the turbo - how concerned ought I to be with this? Disappears when easing off accelerator.
What is the best soft top preservative for my Honda S2000? I have used Autoglym but as it only comes in dual packs and I have more than enough cleaner it works out as being expensive.
I purchased an ex BMW 320D Tourer a few months ago at 2500 miles.
I have now done about 4500 and from time to time have noticed slight clutch judder, usually when reversing up a slight slope or pulling...
Can you please advise the recommended interval for a cam belt (and associated tensioners etc)change on a 2008 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9cdti 150? The advice and suggested periods seem to change constantly.
Last week my partner was involved in a minor parking incident. From a standstill she drove no more than 3 feet into the side of a 1st generation Vauxhall Vectra.
The two male occupants quickly ushered...
I have seen discounts of £7,500 offered on the 508 RXH - which should compensate for the likely heavy depreciation. I know that the gearchange is said to be jerky, but have you any information on the reliablity...
Having read HC of Ashbourne's letter I wanted to let you know about a fantastic British company called Multimac: www.multimac.co.uk. It manufactures 3-abreast and 4-abreast child seats to fit most cars...
In reference to the letter on14 April regarding a parking fine complaint from JS of Tamworth, when he visited the Oxford Welcome Break service area on the M40, we would appreciate the opportunity to respond....
I am the owner of a 1999 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It has full Mercedes-Benz service history and it is badly rusting. It has the 30-year Mobilo guarantee. I have written to Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart and...
We are thinking of changing our car this year and are considering taking a three year personal finance contract from the garage, in this case Mercedes-Benz. I was under the impression that the value of...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
