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Questions from July 2012
Just an accolade for "Sure Sell" through British Car Auctions. Following your advice we have now sold two vehicles via this method and we are delighted with the whole package including the sums achieved,...
I purchased a Golf GT 1.4TSI 170 new in July 2006. Last July an engine warning light appeared. It was diagnosed as a faulty timing chain, which was replaced. My mileage was 58,736. The local dealer carried...
I have received a notice of intended prosecution for a company vehicle I was driving. The vehicle is a Vauxhall Vivaro 2900 LWB combi. It has six seats; three in front and three in the rear, with a bulkhead...
We have just returned from Portugal and, as usual hired a car from Faro to drive via the A22 to Lagos. Thanks to previous remarks from readers we were aware of the new tolls and the latest update is that...
Back in the 1950/60/70s I served in the Traffic Division of Kent Police at various ranks, retiring as a Senior Officer. During my time we dealt with erring motorist in three ways:
(1) 'Verbal advice'....
I am considering purchasing a four-seater convertible with a maximum price of £25,000. I have a list of four cars: BMW E93 3-Series, Audi A5, Lexus IS250C and a Volvo C70. I would appreciate your input...
We have lost one of our two chipped car keys for my 2001 Toyota Avensis car. Do you know of a supplier who can provide a replacement key cheaper than the main dealers, who charged me a fortune last time?...
My wife works using a petrol 2006 Ford Fiesta to make urgent deliveries of prescription drugs to local chemists. The firm uses this car for emergency deliveries of prescription drugs to local chemists,...
I've been offered a 12-year-old Mazda estate with just 12,000 miles on the clock. It's been used only for trips to the local shops. Please would you tell me what problems I might have as a result of this...
Did you know that if you have your car serviced at a Volvo dealer, they give you free European breakdown cover irrespective of the age of the car? I have just taken my Volvo estate in to have its 310,000...
I recently stopped at a red light and saw in my mirror an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaching in my lane. I knew that I should move out of his path but that would entail crossing the stop...
We're looking to change our three-door BMW 3-Series convertible for something that will accommodate our baby. Overall we currently do less than 10,000 miles a year and the journeys we do tend to be at...
We are in our mid-seventies and have owned our 2003 Honda CR-V automatic since new. Apart from Honda servicing, it has cost us nothing except tyres and windscreen wiper blades. It is the best car we have...
I am thinking of buying a new or nearly new 4x4 automatic twin-cab pick-up. I have searched the web and reviews for Toyota, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Mazda are all very similar. My requirement is off-road...
The first car I owned was an early Mini (about a year after they were first introduced), which I loved. Now, at the age of 82, I want to return to a Mini and fancy the MINI Cooper D because of its low...
The jets of the windscreen washers of my 2008 Honda Civic S-Type barely reach the windscreen. A mechanic friend has said that it is the reservoir filter clogged up with sediment from the windscreen wash...
We are looking for a car to replace our 15-year-old Ford Mondeo. With two children, potentially their friends and families, we are thinking of opting for the versatility of an MPV and, due to our relatively...
In October 2008, based your Car Review of the Mazda 2, I sold my 138,000 trouble-free mile Honda Jazz and bought a Mazda 2 TS2. This has been by far the best all round small car I have ever owned. The...
I received a Parking Charge Notice whilst parked in our local Sainsburys car park last week. You do not have to pay to use this car park, but they set a two-hour limit. However I was penalised for being...
I have a Polo 1.4 Match that is just inside its warranty period and has done about 28,000 miles. The clutch is slipping and needs replacing. The Volkswagen garage says this is normal wear and tear and...
I read with interest the letter from CH regarding the in-car video cameras. I have had one in my car for the last five months, prompted by a couple of close calls with cars stopping very suddenly in front...
My daughter recently purchased a pre-registered Renault Scenic. She paid cash. She was never presented with the V5C to countersign for transfer of ownership. She has subsequently enquired about the V5C...
We recently bought a Skoda Superb 1.6 TDI. My wife and I went away for the weekend and, on our return home on 1 April 2012, emailed friends regarding the 71mpg showing on its fuel meter. One of our sceptical...
I have only managed a maximum 35.5mpg from my Focus 1.6 at best, using BP Ultimate petrol. If I achieve 35mpg constantly, would you suggest just keeping the car? I can spend £3500 on a new car. I used...
I own a six-month-old Suzuki Swift which I bought VAT-free last year. My wife is now looking at a Suzuki Splash, which I think may be a mistake. They are currently available from £7777 (for a 1.0-litre)...
Is there a subliminal EU conspiracy to make us all drive on the right hand side of the road? Motor manufacturers' adverts on UK television now all show left-hand drive cars, usually with an English voice...
I have owned a 2004 Toyota Yaris T-Spirit D-4D 5-door hatchback with 1.3-litre diesel engine since I bought it new. It's done 77,000 miles and gives about 65mpg. I think it has a chain cam (am I right?)...
My 2002 E46 BMW 320d Sport which I have owned since new has now done 168,000 miles. It is always serviced at the correct intervals. The car is still on its original turbo. People told me this would fail...
I have a Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI and a friend has a 2.0 TDI, and we have both experienced the same problem. It appears that the rear tyres can develop uneven wear, sometimes referred to as "stepping"...
On 19 March 2012 the ticket machine in our station car park was not accepting cards. I had no cash on me so advised the car park attendant who noted my registration and said that he was aware of this and...
BMW has abandoned the good old-fashioned dipstick that was cheap, reliable and accurate, for an electronic one. The system on my 3 Series has jammed on full and the BMW dealer has had the car for nine...
I think that the French ban on GPS relates to systems that detect radar emissions, and that has always been illegal. I think there is nothing new, and ordinary GPS warnings of static radar speed checks...
My son has just purchased a new Vauxhall Insignia diesel. I understand that there is no road tax to pay for the first year and that it's then £100 per year afterwards. Can you please explain why my wife's...
My Citroen C5 is lacking power. The anti polution light comes on, engine power dies to next to nothing so I turn the engine off for a few seconds and turn on the ignition and there seems to be power again,...
Which 2010-2012 automatics are true automatics and fitted with torque converters, and which are the most reliable?
How important is no claims discount protection on insurance policies?
My 1 Series engine fires but then resorts to a chugging sound and does not fire up properly. No computer data problems on dash board, fuel all good.
Car was towed back to our garage and the mechanic's...
Bought an A4 Avant last August, 08 plate, currently with approx 78k miles on clock.
Oil pressure light began flashing, drove on to Audi garage. They have so far spent 4.5hrs labour diagnosing extent of...
Have any other readers experienced a problem after driving through a ford in a Mercedes C Class?
I recently drove through a local ford in my MB C250 Cdi and the car cut out on leaving the ford and would...
We run a pest control company and are looking for a car to carry our kit and ladder and for running the family round at weekends. We do around 15K mileage a year and looking for a economical car.
I am very tempted to buy a new Volvo 1.6l 150bhp V40 when they hit the showrooms in the near future. Is it feasible to ask for a discount on this new model and, if so, how much? I would be trading in...
We purchased a Ford Galaxy Zetec 2009 from 'the UK’s leading car and van retailer' about 3 months ago and the vehicle keeps failing into limp mode, with numerous visits back to service bay = new boost...
Can I replace a petrol engine in a 2008 Renault Megane with a diesel engine?
I want to try and save on my car engine oil, oil/air filters and plugs change. I wanted to find out how I could change the oil, both the filters and plugs, and also the tools would I need. If I could do...
I read about all of these bad points on every car I think about buying, just what is a good two seater sports car to buy?
I have an X-reg Peugeot 306 Diesel estate, which has just over 159,000 miles on the clock. It has just passed its MOT, has had work done on brake pads and handbrake cable in the last 6 months, has a good...
I am currently talking with Renault re the n/s/r tyre, which wears on the outer edge and has done from new.
I have had the car 4 wheel Lazer aligned and it highlights the rear beam axle is out of alignment....
I have just had a car accident and my car is a write off, what will happen with my finance as I do not have GAP insurance. Do I have to pay the outstanding balance or can I carry on paying it monthly -...
We took our Ford S Max into Ford as the oil pressure light was coming on the dash. We asked them to do a full diagnostic and healthcheck on the car. We were advised they could not find a fault and just...
Joining new company with company car opt out scheme.
Will be doing around 30k miles per year business use and I am looking for small family hatch type car to buy new or nearly new.
Looking for smartish...
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