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Questions from January 2013
I own a Corsa 1.4 sxi 2001 and a couple of months ago, as I would go to brake and slow down in traffic, the engine cut out.
This is now happening more regularly, and it was only happening when I would...
We are looking to change our Fiat Punto for an estate car, Citroen C5 or Peugeot407 size, due to arrival of a daughter. We have £6000 plus trade in to spend. What estate would you recommend?
Today in Falmouth I parked in what turned out to be a private car park (owned by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners) and paid the fee of £1 per hour. I overstayed the time by 10 minutes and received a parking...
My wife has had a Golf GTI 2005 since new. We are thinking about replacing it this year. We still like the car after 8 years and would like the same from our next car. When does the new 5 door GTI come...
I need a good van for deliveries in town, so it needs to be small and easy to park, but I don't really want to use a car in case people see inside.
I don't know where to start?!
I have category B and B1 and there's a little picture of what looks like a van on the back of my licence - so can I drive any van?
I drive a long way on the motorway hauling quite heavy loads of metal, so I need a capable van, but I want to save a bit of cash on diesel. Is there anything out there?
I might buy a van because I have a few flats I rent out and I need to move stuff like cookers and furniture. I won't use it much.
I don't drive a manual car and I wonder if there are many automatic vans?...
I bought it in December (21st)) Ive since driven 1070 miles. ( (Most of that was just driving it home - dealer is 300 miles away) The power steering fails intermittently - I told the dealer and he sent...
I'm expecting to be replacing all 4 of my tyres over the next few months. I currently have the OEM Dunlop SP2030 185/55 r16 tyres that came with my 2010 Insight ES. These have lasted 35k miles but the...
My sister-in-law has just passed her test for automatics only, we have got some insurance quotes for a Corsa, Micra, Polo and these are just about affordable to insure. Could you recommend the best option...
I'm being offered one of the last 2012 model CR-V Hondas at £24k with delivery miles only and pre-registered. It is an auto ES-T which would have been listed around £29k when new. The price sounds good...
I have a 2006 Mondeo diesel with 112,000 miles. It's always been main dealer serviced.
What difference to the value of the car would it make if a one-man operation services it but uses all the correct...
I just wanted to make yourself and readers aware that there is a problem with the DV6C unit by PSA and Ford. We have a Focus TDCi 115 on the 2011 model and it used to stutter and hesitate at low revs and...
After a small bump my high insurance excess meant paying for damage myself. A good bodywork job was done but the nearside indicators are inoperative. The garage checked everything (broken wires, fuses...
I ordered an XC90 in June. On the order it stated that a temporary spare wheel would be supplied FOC.
When I collected the car in October the invoice stated the same. However, on hand over, the car was...
My car has started to cut out, been happening for the last two weeks with increasing regularity. I've only been driving it for 3-5 miles each journey, and it normally cuts out at least once on each trip...
I have a Peugeot 206 HDi. When I insert my key and turn the ignition on all power is cut off from the battery; car goes completely dead. This happens when the key hits position three. You can hear the...
Could you give me your advice about cars like Skoda Superb 2008, BMW 3 Series E90, Mercedes C-Class W204, Kia Optima, Hyundai i40 estate or any other good car for everyday driving and long journeys for...
My Vauxhall Omega went in for full service (80,000 miles) plus timing belt change, ignition plugs and brake fluid change. I requested that if additional work was required I would be phoned. A rear spring...
My wife insists on low mileage, but I consider average, say 10 to 12,000 per year, is best. Who's right and why?
I bought a car from a second hand car dealer at the end of September 2012. Since then it has developed numerous faults which I have had to take to a garage to get repaired under warranty, apart from the...
Enquiring yesterday at Ford Dealer about 1.6 Focus petrol and was told that I would be better of with the 1.0 Focus with Ecoboost. Can this be right?
My Volvo XC60 2.4D Automatic [20,000 miles] will be three years old in March. I am about to take out a two-year extended warranty with "Warranty Direct".
I tow a caravan. Is the diesel particulate filter...
I have a small apartment in southern Spain. Fed up with hire car practices, I have bought a 2007 Peugeot 107 which I leave over there. I only visit 3 or 4 times a year and my annual mileage is very low....
My mother has a Y-Reg Golf hatch which has a very wet drivers side carpet owing to the, garage thinks, blocked drain holes. Are these supposed to be checked during services, and is £2-300 a fair price...
In Nov 2008 I bought a 2006 reg Mitsubishi Grandis Warrior. It's now done 70,000 miles and I am very happy with it. However, I was thinking whether I should get a new (second hand) 7-seater before the...
I currently drive 20,000 miles a year on a 120 mile round trip commute which is mainly motorway and have a 6 year old Mazda 6 diesel with 120k on the clock. This is a reliable car and will probably keep...
I was recently involved in an accident and rang in to notify my insurance company. When they asked me for any convictions I notified them of one from 2009. It then became apparent that, according to them,...
When I bought my Punto there was only one key. We really need another, but are finding it difficult to source one. Can you help please?
I'm thinking of a getting an old E30 or E36 BMW convertible for summer motoring as a third car. My budget is £5000 so that should get me a really good example. Can you recommend which is the best model...
I currently drive a 1.6 2007 SEAT Leon and do about 18,000-20,000 miles annually. It's never let me down however I would like to have a more fuel efficient car. I do a lot of motorway driving and I 'd...
Bearing in mind all your caveats regarding the car diesel engine, may I ask the following question? I currently run a 54 reg diesel Citroen Xsara Picasso and find the driving position excellent for my...
The clutch pedal was not springing back up and I had to lift it with my foot. Now I cannot get the car, a Peugeot 406, into first gear.
I have a RX450h which I have had from new in Jan 2010. I have already done 65,000 miles and wanted to know what was the expected life of the vehicle? I have it regularly serviced by Lexus in Poole, but...
What is the best new automatic for two adults and three teenagers, please? My budget is around £11,000 to £13,000.
How much discount should I expect when buying a new Hyundai Santa Fe retailing at £32000. This will be a cash purchase with no trade and no finance?
We will be changing our Motability car soon and my husband needs a car that is higher up for easy access. We have a Bipper Teepee at the moment and wouldn't have another, can you recommend alternatives?
I have a Peugeot 307 SW HDI, bought new, 2002 or 2003 (not ex fleet!). 83,000 miles. I know the DPF needs dealing with but can a local service centre clean the filter as I certainly don't want a Peugeot...
We have decided to change our Zafira GSI and have just ordered a Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTI.
I read your column at the weekend and the diesel particulate issue cropped up, causing me great concern around £2000...
The warning light has come on recently on my 2.5 yr old 1.6TDi Golf. According to the manual it relates to a faulty (or partially faulty) driving light system or cornering light system (which I don't have)....
My son has about £6000 to spend. He does about 8 to 10,000 miles pa.
He wants a medium (e.g.Focus) sized car for commuting and pleasure. His priorities are reliablity and economy, although being a 30...
While sliding helplessly across a road junction and into the opposite hedge I had time to consider that ABS isn't really any help at all on thin or slushy ice. It thinks "Whoops, slippy here. Might lock-up"...
We are a couple in our early 70s looking to buy a medium sized hatch to "see us out" i.e. last about ten years!
We need easy access (both have knee and/or hip problems), reasonable overall running economy...
I am looking for suggestions for a replacement small car - I currently run a 2007 Fabia 1.4 diesel (estate) which manages a genuine 57mpg in the summer.
Due to a recently developed (left) leg problem...
My Freelander 2 was supplied with a foam injection kit instead of a conventional spare. I am considering the purchase of a space saver spare wheel. Would you recommend this?
A Vauxhall Combo I am looking at has had a category d repair if £8000 is value without that damage, how much does it go down by?
I bought a 2008 Laguna a year ago and the speed limiter/cruise control worked. The car is going in for its 4 year service and the garage wants to charge me £83 just to check the limiter/cruise control...
Very soon I will be ordering a VW High Up with every extra apart from the sunroof.
It is on a PCP deal. Every time I have ordered a new car I have always kicked myself for not haggling, have you any tips?
Should...
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