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Questions from July 2012
We are looking for a cheap to run/repair economical car which will do about 16,000 miles a year. My wife has an automatic license & so that limits us somewhat. Five seats including three that can take...
I have a Volvo V70 D5 registered in August 2008, with 41000 miles. It's alternator failed in late June 2012. The quote to repair from a Volvo dealer was £750. They refused to acknowledge that this an unusual...
I have owned this car since February 2012, local BMW dealership investigated intermittent engine misfire in February and advised loose coil pack, but a new set (recommended) £300. Due to having a 3rd...
I have a 56 plate Hyundai Santa Fe currently on Hankook Dynapro HP 235/60R18/103H tyres. I need to replace two. Should I replace with the same or would you suggest I consider any alternatives? Your advice...
I have an ageing (53 plate, 120,000 mile) Audi A4 1.9 TDI. It has been a great car but over the past few months the idle has gone "lumpy" intermittently. Above idle it runs smoothly, there is no loss...
Took my car to dealership who is now being investigated and has went out of business. They apparently said they had title to sell my car because they took a copy of the V5. I never left my car with them...
Between us we have a BMW 320Cd and a VW Eos. This was ok when we had one disabled elderly relative but now we have two, and we can't get either of them in the back of either of the cars. We'll be able...
You were right! The IS250C is a much better car than the SC430... so I bought one! Now I have two Lexii and both with Sat Nav. However, the RX is a 2008 car and the IS has the latest DVD in it (a 2011...
I'm selling privately and had an offer from someone in the Channel Islands. The buyer is not coming over in person, they just want to send a shipping company. I'm concerned with payment over to UK and...
I have a two and a half year old Skoda Yeti which I've had from new. 18 months ago it had a leaking sunroof which my local dealer fixed. It's now leaking again, the dealer has had it for a week, they acknowledge...
We have our first child on the way and need a new car as a result. £10k is the budget, mileage per year will be 6,000, so considering a manual petrol car. Currently considering a Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta...
What happened to customer service? I have purchased a new Honda Jazz Hybrid and included was free servicing and free extended warranty. After 14 weeks of chasing the dealer and latterly Honda, I still...
Although cars like the Volkswagen up and Skoda Citigo already have model variants in group 1 insurance category, do you know of any insurers who offer further discounts if the City Emergency Braking (VW)...
I am about to purchase a new BMW 1 Series and have been told of a well known problem with all stop start models - that the electrics (battery/alternator) are not able keep the battery charged if other...
Hello I was wondering which one of the following 3 cars would you say is the best: BMW 1-series, 2012 Audi A3, 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-class. Early reviews have shown that the A-class has been a bit of...
I recently sold my Audi TT to a local garage in and have now discovered that he has sold it on to another dealer who is advertising it on the internet and claiming the car has full service history, I owned...
I know garages are a consumer rights minefield, but can a basic principle be established about labour and diagnosis? Lately I've had a garage charge me hundreds of pounds for basically failing to correctly...
What is the position for a driver, identified as such by the registered keeper in response to a parking charge notice enquiry? Is his situation still as it were pre clause 56, ie. ignore the notice and...
My Vectra 2-litre diesel 1998 loses power for a few seconds after braking, and the engine management light comes on intermittently but goes off when brake is applied, this also causes loss of power.
Dear HJ, you make reference in your reply to IP, Solihull June 30, that ‘Any illuminated dash warning lights will now mean an mot failure.’ I have an engine management light on, due to possibly a faulty...
I have a Peugeot 107 on 58 plate which is leaking at both sides of the boot. Can I take it back to Peugeot to get it sorted?
I am thinking about buying a Honda Civic or Toyota Avensis diesel car dated before the fitting of DPF. I am concerned about the Dual Mass Flywheel and would like to know which of the above car engines...
I was hit by a foreign lorry driver who drove off. I have his numberplate and I gave the police the details. I was on the inside lane of the roundabout when the back end the lorry came into my lane and...
My brother has a 53 reg Renault Kangoo converted to take him in the back in his wheelchair. I will occasionally drive it - 1 or 2 days a month as will 2 or 3 other family members. Can you suggest the simplest...
Am looking to buy a used Ford automatic, either a Focus or C-Max. Have been told that that are two types of autos made and one causes a lot of problems and to steer clear. Any advice please?
Why does my Volkswagen Golf 4-door hatchback keep filling with water in the rear footwell?
I entered an Asda Carpark twice in one day first time for about 5 min, the carpark was very busy and later in the afternoon. Town and City Parking sent a notice that stated they believe that a parking...
Thanks for advice on a previously related question. I currently own a S40 1.9 D S (115) and saw a 03 S60 D5 for sale locally. Was interested until owner said it had covered 200,000 miles. It looks and...
My wife and I so much agree with your belief that "run flat" tyres might well save our lives but can find no input on which manufacturers other than BMW offer them on new vehicles, could you please advise...
What size of roof box do you recommend for a five-door Polo?
I am wanting to buy a new Hyundai i10 classic (1.2 litre) and need to decide whether to buy the ESP option. From what I have read, ESP is thought to prevent a lot of accidents, but I am not sure whether...
In July last year at 10 months old my new Land Rover Defender was returned to Lancaster Land Rover in Reading due to a number of rust and paint issues, namely repainting of rusting door sills, repainting...
Bought an Insignia CDTI Elite 160 (used, 2009 58 reg). I have had it for 1 week. The car has started to judder every now and again in 2nd/3rd at low revs. After using Google, this is now a known issue...
Rain water is filling around spark plugs on my Fiesta.
Can you recommend a group 3 insurance car for young drivers other than 206 please?
I pulled up at Doncaster Airport when my satnav fell from my windscreen. I literally stopped long enough to refix it and now I've recd a Parking Charge Notice from Vehicle Control Systems Ltd with a charge...
I drive a Ford Focus 1.8, petrol, April 2004 registration. Does this car have a chain-cam engine?
Which tyres do you recommend for a Forester? I had to have my wheels aligned after 8500 miles (my fault, said Subaru, as they would have checked before leaving the factory) So the wear on the outside will...
After a few months reading about whiplash fraud and after witnessing two accidents of cars I was following in the last 6 months and in the same period having had two near misses (not my fault), I have...
I'm looking to sell my Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 Lusso (2006, 3dr, 25,000) in the next couple of months and would appreciate your advice on whether its worth forking out on paint/body work repair? Although the...
My wife and I have recently had our first child, and as such now have significantly more stuff to lug around. We also need better access to the back of the car than our '03 plate Honda Civic Type R can...
How long should a rear door lock last with very little use on a 7 year old Lexus LS430? I believe it should be a lot longer than 7 years. Who can I get as an "expert witness" to state that in my claim...
A local dealer is offering new Suzuki Swft SZ3 5 door models at £9275. Does this seem like a good deal and what do you think of this car? Also is the boot large enough to carry a folded wheelchair, and...
I've seen a car that I’m interested in at a branch of Evans Halshaw. When I phoned to inquire about the car and the best deal they could offer, they replied that they price their cars competitively and...
My baby seat requires the seatbelt to go round it to hold it in place, but the seatbelts in both front and rear of my Ford KA isn't long enough to go round. Can a seatbelt extender be used? Is there a...
My much loved '98 MX5 was involved in a shunt from the rear in May. The driver admitted responsibility and his insurance company were very helpful and paid me the write off value for the car (which I...
I'd like to buy a new Land Rover Discovery - which model would you recommend and why. I've been baffling myself with data & loads of other facts! Hope you can help.
My timing chain has snapped on my BMW 118d. It has done 86k and recieved a full service just over a month ago, since the service it was involved in a collision from the rear which needed a new rear bumper....
I own around 15 cars which are a mixture of prewar, classic Mercedes, and modern cars. I have to deal with at least 3 seperate insurance company's to get cover. Is there any Insurers that would be able...
My 30,000 mile A Class, serviced by Mercedes-Benz, suffered the dreaded ECU transmission fault warning light. The Mercedes garage informed me that a repair would cost £1700 and, if it was the gearbox,...