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Trending topics in February 2013
Questions from February 2013
My 16-year old daughter is a wheelchair user. She plans to take her driving test and start driving by the end of March 2013 (when the lease of our current Motability Ford Galaxy which we, as her parents,...
With the dramatic increase in flooding, and many people with wrecked engines, I wonder what your view is regarding trying to encourage car manufacturers to start putting engine air intakes at a much higher...
A month ago I had a very slight accident. I backed out of a parking bay and into a car that had stopped behind me (my fault, no doubt about it). We examined the damage to the other vehicle (which was seven...
The reaction between brass valves and alloy caps is caused by electrolysis and can be reduced significantly by smearing the brass stem or cap with Vaseline. I had a major problem with brass fire hydrants,...
My local supermarket has a large, clearly laid out car park where some drivers circulate clockwise and some anti-clockwise. Quite a long time ago I rented a car while on holiday in the USA and was surprised...
Now that the MoT certificate is no more than a print-out there has been a further outbreak of forgeries. Never take an MoT print-out at face value. MoT paper certificates are no longer proof of existence...
A friend of mine has a Skoda Roomster that is spacious and comfortable, but has a number of idiosyncrasies. On occasions it locks all the doors with him inside and all the electric windows become inoperable....
I recently received a Notice of Intended Prosecution from Norfolk Constabulary for exceeding a 30mph speed limit in Norwich by 5mph. I will be allowed to attend a Speed Awareness Course, which I look forward...
With the introduction of gender-neutral insurance premiums now in place, it got me thinking about how risk was evaluated by the insurance companies. One thing I can’t figure out is why a driver’s occupation...
I noticed this week a selection of ex-Olympic BMWs has gone on sale at dealers. They seem to be mostly 520d EDs and a few 318d Tourings. I was looking at the 5-Series in particular and prices are dirt...
You've advised someone looking for a cheap car for their 17-year-old son to consider a small classic such a Morris Minor. I'm very concerned about this because of the lack of safety features on older cars,...
My lovely 1994 Nissan 200SX with 99,445 miles, which I have found reliable, solid, comfortable and secure, evidently needs about £1000 of work - mostly welding - if it is to pass its MoT. Even then it...
I am a community midwife working in a semi-rural practice in Hertfordshire. Due to the NHS belt-tightening, we now have to replace our vehicles previously leased by the Trust with our own private cars....
I have been happily driving my manual Honda Civic for 23 years and it has done 67,000 miles. It is entirely reliable, sails through MOTs and doesn't depreciate. My father left me his two-year-old automatic...
Regarding PD's problem with his brass valves and alloy caps, I had a similar problem with an alloy wheel on a newish Polo with a puncture. I got the wheel nuts off without any trouble, but I just couldn't...
In October 2011 I purchased a 2010 Mondeo 2.2 Titanium X Sport (bought used with 13,000 miles). After much work the engine is now smooth (fuelling issues). The car is a great deal more refined in every...
I have encountered considerable difficulty obtaining satisfactory advice on winter tyres from Land Rover. Indeed the difficulty has been so great that it almost seems as though Land Rover are in denial...
It was during a recent visit to my family in Enfield that I discovered an appalling situation my niece finds herself in following an incident a couple of years ago. It concerned a boy being knocked from...
I own a 2011 Honda Insight. It has had its first service end of November with 8000 miles on the clock. After it was serviced I used it for about a week and then went on holiday, and the car stood in my...
I have a 2008 Skoda Octavia 2.0 FSI Tiptronic L&K estate, which is a lovely car marred by a persistent problem of water ingress affecting the rear offside passenger floor. So far, it has cost £320, part-subsidised...
I have a Toyota Yaris 1.0-litre petrol. Could you tell me what is the best rpm to shift gear? Also is 50mph or 55mph the optimum on a motorway?
My motoring habits now consist of a few day trips and a six-week drive in the summer to Italy. When we go to Italy we take the long way round and cover approx 4000 miles. We have no kids. Our cars at present...
My chairman at work suggested you might be able to give me some good advice on buying a car. I’d like to buy a small, economical car and have a budget of £8000. I live in central London so don’t drive...
I read that you stated that modern diesels are unsuitable for successive runs from cold, which I fully comprehend, but how does diesel drain into the sump as a consequence?
I looked at a Ford Kuga, 4x4, manual box, diesel engine, 2009 model and quite a nice car. The dealer, a main Ford agent, was asking £16,999 with only a three months warranty. The car had done 33,000 miles...
My Mini was broken into and stolen in 2009 by a joyrider. It was recovered somewhat damaged a few hours later by police. My insurers promptly declared it would be written off, their assessor asserting...
My grandson travels in his dad's front passenger seat. He is under five. Is there any danger from the air bag in the event of an accident? The car is a 2006 Vauxhall Vectra estate.
In December 2011 my daughter's boyfriend bought a 2002 SEAT Leon 1.6 turbodiesel from an independent dealer. Within a couple of months, a problem was diagnosed with the turbo and this was repaired under...
I am seeking help for my current problem. I need a car to chauffeur my elderly mother which will give her excellent comfort, which will be reliable. I currently have an Audi A4 saloon which I am happy...
During the recent flooding a friend of mine came up to a section of flooded road and, seeing that the two cars in front of him had successfully edged their way cautiously through the water, proceeded to...
I understand that there are approximately 35 million vehicles registered in the UK. If we therefore assume that 1 million of them have unnecessarily deployed side and dipped headlights at any one time,...
My son has a 2003 Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI and a 1997 Polo 1.4 16 valve. Both cars suffer from the same problem, namely water leaking into the front passenger footwell. Can you possibly suggest a reason...
I wonder if other readers have experience of making claims against Allianz. I have not made a claim for some 30 years and am astonished at the prevarication and delay encountered in my dealings with the...
I just wanted to alert your readers to the fact that the Garmin SD update card for the Kenwood Sat Nat in Skodas is at least 12 months out of date. I purchased a card for £78 from their website in October...
At present I have a 1.6 Ford Focus, but as my 17 year old son will soon have passed his driving test I was considering changing this. I have been advised that it would be easier to insure a car with a...
Can you recommend a good course for my wife to increase her confidence on motorways? She currently won't drive on them.
Buying a small economical easy to get in and out of car. What would you recommend?
I currently own a Mercedes A Class, and like that it has a reasonably high ride.
Looking to change to something similar...
Is it possible to convert 2009 Lexus GS450H to lpg?
I have a SEAT Ibiza 1.4 petrol SE Copa five-door in silver on 61 plate with 8000 miles on the clock with all the buttons, auto lights, wipers, climate, cruise, trip computer, electric mirrors, aux in,...
I've just inherited a 2003 Polo, petrol engine, which was driven by my elderly aunt on very short journeys before she died in 2005.
Following a long probate case I have finally inherited said Polo which...
I have a BMW E30 325i - the car was in mint condition when placed in a garage in France 8 years ago. Occasionally started since. Never given a long run.
Where should I start (if at all) with getting...
On my Focus the immobilizer light flashes fast, lots lights on dash light up and the car won't start.
I live on the island of Malta where I cover 6,000 miles annually and am looking to replace my aging 1997 Civic VTi with a brand new manual transmission petrol car.
I'm not sure if you can help me pick...
My Peugeot 406 has a braking issue which seems really odd.
When braking quite hard the pedal goes down but the servo keeps on operating even as your foot is lifted, almost like automatic braking. Only...
What cars ride on 205/55/R16 tyres? I have a set of winter tyres and want to identify which cars I should consider.
After a recent accident I made a claim on my car insurance policy. I asked if I could use my preference of vehicle repairer instead of the one nominated the insurance company. They said I could but they...
Which model Fiat 500C would you recommend? I would like one with a bit of go and an automatic gearbox.
I currently do 35,000 per year in a Peugeot 407 SW, when it is working it is lovely but last year cost £3k to keep on the road, in the past I have always purchased French diesels for £6k, mainly Citroens,...
I am just about to purchase an Elddis Crusader Superstorm caravan, with a weight of 1610kg and mass weight of 1900kg. I have a Mitsubishi Delica 2.8 td with a weight of 2060kg and gross of 2445kg. I have...
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