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Questions from October 2012
I have 103 pre-war ‘Autocar’ magazines to sell. They date from 7 January 1938 to 26 December 1939. Can you recommend other than eBay the best way to advertise them or sell them?
A couple of weeks ago reader asked the depth to which a car could wade a ford. You mentioned water in the engine but even worse is when the water is too deep. Cars float, even 4x4s, which is why Land Rover,...
I was once the proud owner of a BSA four-wheel front wheel drive car (BOA 666) and I was wondering if any such cars still exist, as I have been to an old car rally recently and hoped I might see one. No...
I garage my Mercedes-Benz SL500 each winter. This spring I noticed, to my horror, that mice had eaten some of the engine compartment insulation. We live in a rural location and, upon the crops being removed,...
I own a 2007 Citroen C6 that has Xenon dual function directional headlights. My local main dealer assures me that because of this feature, when travelling in France, I do not need to fit headlight beam...
Would a reputable British breathalyser, such as the Alcosense Elite, obviate the need to purchase multiple French breathalysers in the light of recently introduced legislation in France?
For the last eight weeks an old, tatty Ford Transit has been parked outside my next door neighbours' house. It hasn't moved for over eight weeks since the driver, who doesn't live in our road but used...
I would like to draw attention to my treatment by APCOA at Exeter Airport. Last year I pre-booked airport parking for five days and on return found that I had paid more than for the current offer for seven...
I am due to retire soon and my company has offered me the opportunity to buy my 34,000 mile 2009 Lexus IS 250 SE company car at book cost, which is around £7200. It seems like a good deal but I understand...
Would the fitting of cameras to give a view rearwards, down both sides of the vehicle, not eliminate blind spots? I recall many years ago seeing a coach fitted with a rear view screen on the dashboard.
A Multispace is my dream car, as it's basic and roomy. I'm interested in a FSH (Citroen dealer) 2003 Nemo Multispace 1.4i 8v 5dr with 13,000 miles at £6991. One owner, ex-Motability. Is the Motability...
My son has bought a 2000 Honda Odyssey which was imported into the UK in 2004 for a 'scrap' price of £350. It goes well but has had a bit of trouble in the past with its autobox. I believe this car was...
I am thinking of buying either a Ford Mondeo or a Volkswagen Passat, preferably an automatic. Am I right in thinking that they both use a double clutch arrangement which is essentially electronically controlled?...
Trade Sales and Motorpoint seem to have lots of low mileage 2012 Fiat 500s from £8200. No franchised dealer seems to do these for less than £9000. I assume these are ex-fleet or learner school. Do you...
My brother died recently and my sister-in-law has been left to sell his car. She will have to sell it privately. However, this places her in a very vulnerable position as, being on her own, she's naturally...
I phoned the RAC for a quote this morning for a battery for my 2008 BMW 520D Sports Touring. A very pleasant and helpful young lady called Tracy quoted £291.99, fitted for free as I am a member. This seemed...
Vauxhall has contacted me about a free Car Accident Scheme who, should I have an accident, I am advised to call before contacting my insurer. I would value your advice please.
A friend of mine was involved in an accident last week. She was stationary in a line of traffic when an elderly gentleman ran into the back of her car, resulting in a domino effect with another three cars...
During the last few months Honda has been running a promotion on the CR-V. My dealer has a whole wedge of pre-reg 62 plate CR-V SE+ priced to go at £19,995, or chuck in the sat nav and T-spec for £20,995....
I'm an avid reader of your column and I'm rather upset about a recent garage experience. For the past two or three years, the Mercedes-Benz dealer at Warrington has been sending me a printed MoT reminder...
Can you recommend an independent insurance company that takes on the full coverage of a hire vehicle, with all the additional bits included, rather than use the rental company's own insurance which I believe...
In three months time my 16-year-old daughter will be eligible to start learning to drive. Are there any courses that will teach youngsters the rudiments of motor maintenance to avoid being taken for a...
I have just bought a new Honda Jazz Hatchback 1.4 i-VTEC EX CVT. I'm very pleased with the car and its performance, but there is one drawback caused by the rake or angle of the front windscreen. When the...
You were kind enough to wish me well at the Tribunal following my 5-month ordeal following 'A Simple Parking Ticket'. As Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Parking Team were obdurate in rejecting...
I sold a 12-year-old Volvo V40 with 121k for £500 privately in good working order as far as I was aware, with one or two minor faults which I knew about, and I pointed out to the local purchaser. Unfortunately...
My son attended a four hour evening Speed Awareness course earlier this year run by the AA and he told me about the contents next day.
It sounded great so I asked the AA if I could attend one. Seemingly,...
Bought my wife a Xsara Picasso Desire 2.0l Diesel in 2006 - 05 plate with 500 miles - now done 41k and next May will be eight years old which you indicate might be when problems start. Apart from Citroen...
My car got engine flushed by a Ford garage but in the Ford Manual it says not to. Ever since I've had problems and now the turbo has gone. How do I stand with Ford?
Last week I purchased a Hyundai ix35 from a Hyundai dealership. This weekend when giving it its first wash I noticed the area above the drivers door handle lots of small imperfections and bubbles in the...
I recently got my car back after 10 weeks when it was vegetating in a body-shop following a hail storm in June. Since I got it back, the Particulate Filter warning light is on constantly. Since the 10...
Can you tell me if my 2005 E90 BMW 320d has a duel mast flywheel or not, I reckon I need a clutch but am getting conflicting information and MASSIVELY varying quotes from different garages ?
I was getting a lot of vibration through the steering wheel, while motorway driving, but not round town; I had the tracking checked and the wheels balanced, no change, so I had the front discs skimmed,...
Do tyre speed ratings have any meaning in this country?
The rating for my vehicle is H (up to a sustained speed of 130mph) Could I save myself some money by buying T rated tyres (up to 118mph)?
Would...
I've been looking at second hand prices on low mileage 2012 Insignias. Cars that cost £24,000 new are being sold via Auto Trader for around £10,000 a few months later. I know nobody pays the full list...
My tyres are as follows:
Front 205 45 R18
Rear 225 40 R18
I am getting some winter tyres for my car for the winter, would you recommend getting the same as above (summer tyres) or would you get for the...
My local Skoda dealer has informed me that one of my diesel injectors needs replacement. This is likely to cost around £800. I'm aware that there have been recalls on the 2.0 TDi engine and have asked...
I`ve just bought (privately) a Fiat panda 1.3 diesel registered Jan 2005.
I hear a lot of talk about timing and cam belts breaking and costing a fortune to repair.
What exactly are they and does my Panda...
My boyfriend has just passed his driving test at 59 and now wants to buy a car for getting to work, about 15 miles a day and some leisure use. He only has about £3000 to spend and needs plenty of legroom...
I recently took my car for its first annual service to Arnold Clark who I believe are Scotland's largest multi-franchise dealer. All was in order, the cost being £240. On leaving I was offered the choice...
I want to ask you whether my plan to mix tyres are worth it.
I want to put winter tyres on the front (front wheel drive) and keep summer tyres at the back for the winter months. I then want to swap the...
From regular reviews of your website, you obviously know a lot about car ownership in Thailand.
I am from UK and I will be spending more time in Thailand.
I want to buy in a cash deal a new Ford Ranger...
I have just replaced the factory fitted radio with an aftermarket Apline unit, everything works fine except the radio wont pick up MW stations. Is there an aerial adaptor I need to 'boost' the signal?...
I am in the market for a different car, sadly getting rid of my incredibly reliable, but old Corsa.
I could get another cheap and cheerful car, but I probably need something a bit bigger and have looked...
I own a some self-catering holiday flats in the centre of Blackpool which has a small private car park, used by our guests coming on holiday, who reserve and pay for the car parking.
I understand that...
I am considering buyind a Mercedes Benz SL 350/500 from 2002-2006.
I recall from your column that there were lots of problems with Mercedes engines of this period where the gearbox oil was contaminated...
I seriously thinking of going to winter tyres.
My summer tyres are 225/45 R17 94v.
I was thinking of 195/65 R15 but these appear to be either 91T or 91H, or 95T and a few 95H. Would I be OK with any...
Great website keep up the good work. I have just bought a Ford Focus estate, but the radio needs a code.
Can anyone help the details are as follows... serial number.... M069423 part number...98AP-18K876-BB
Ford focus 2007 1.6 LX diesels has timing belt or chain? It has a Duratec engine. Also does it comes with electronic power steering because I cannot find a place to put steering fluid?
When I turn left with either shopping or someone sitting in the back there is a scraping sound coming from the left-hand rear wheel. I have checked the tyre and the wheel arch for signs of wheel contact...
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