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Questions from April 2013
My Nissan Qashqai 1.5 suffers an intermittent noise from the water pump. Being intermittent the garage has failed to find a fault. I am anxious as I am aware of the damage this fault could cause to the...
Can you please recommend any 2.0-litre diesel engines for short to medium journeys, around 13,000 miles per year?
I bought a Porsche 928 from a classic car dealer. It is a 1987 model sold with one year's MoT, so I knew that it would come with some problems that would never be picked up on an inspection or test drive...
I am trying to sell an immaculate 2001 XJR BRG, FSH, 90,000 miles. I have advertised it in Autotrader, Classic Cars (carsandclassic) and Jaguar Enthusiasts Magazine but without success.
It is priced...
My car was parked on a road and a driver going past had a heart attack at the wheel and hit my car. This driver died at the scene. I made an insurance claim and went ahead with the repair until liability...
My daughter bought a March 2012 Hyundai ix35 a few weeks ago with just under 13K miles.
The sales person and the service book says services every 20k miles or biannually.
When I asked regarding oil...
My Santa Fe broke down on the M5. It was taken to Hyundai Murley in Stratford. The cam shaft seized in the cylinder head. The car is still under 5 year warranty.
Hyundai has refused warranty cover over...
I have seen a number of ads recently offering insurance cover for alloy wheels. The ads mention cover for accidental damage but I wonder if hitting one of the many potholes in the road networks today would...
The used car I want to buy is within mileage limits for servicing but out of time (servicing is 20k or 1 year) - it was serviced at 20k 1 year 9 months ago.
It is nearly three years old and now has 25k...
I have a Vauxhall Viraro 06 reg 1.9 diesel, a couple of faults but not sure if related. Sometimes when you start it it wont rev up until 5-10 seconds after starting (I can cope with this!)
Main problem...
Could you tell me how to change a battery on my key fob for a 2004 Volkswagen Passat please?
I drove into the back of another car today and minimal damage was caused. His bumper popped off a little and my licence plate has broke. We exchanged details, name, phone number and licence plate details...
I have just traded my Fiat 500 for an easy access Ford Fusion. It is an ex-Motability car, registered in 08/2009 and with 13,600 on the clock and a full Ford service history. As it is low mileage and could...
I have just bought a second hand C220 automatic. The car has 108000 and full MB history till 100000. I collected the car yesterday from the trader, who had put it through his mechanic to be checked and...
I travel 12K miles per annum. Lots of short runs of less than 5 miles, a daily commute of 12 miles each way, with the odd 50 mile journey. Need to replace a 10 year old Honda Accord Estate 2.4 petrol auto....
To give you the overview: My Qashqai is three and half years old, so only 6 months out of warranty. Full service history with a Nissan dealership. last service only 6 months ago, and has done approx 42k...
I have a 2008 (08 Plate) Ford Fiesta Style Climate 1.25, with 34,700 miles on the clock and a full dealer service history. When do I need to change the timing belt? Also do I need to replace the tensioners...
My wife's 54 plate Renault Scenic with nearly 90 thousand miles on the clock (or was!) has suddenly lost all information on the dashboard - speedometer, fuel gauge - everything.
Our local garage has...
I collected my new VW Scirocco (2.0 TDI GT DSG - 170bhp- 2010 plate) from a dealer on Friday. We had a 100 mile journey back home and the car seemed to perform very well. After parking the car outside...
We live in the far north-west of Scotland and have a 2005 Honda Accord Tourer Executive 2.2i CTDi with 115,000 miles. It’s now time to change. We are now finding it too low to get out of due to age and...
Following your review in 2002 I bought a new SEAT Leon Cupra, which has given me enormous pleasure. At the age of 80 (and the car 11) the time has come to change. I need to transport myself only, plus...
I need to replace all four tyres on my Volvo V70, but with only one tyre garage locally I don't believe their prices are competitive. Rather than wasting petrol trawling around distant tyre garages are...
I am the owner of a Lexus CT200h, which is just over one year old and has 11,000 miles on the clock. Over Christmas I left my car parked locked and secure in my garage for three weeks. On my return I found...
Hertfordshire County Council is spending or has spent over £200,000 on digital traffic information signs. One of these, in Stevenage, obstructs the view of a driver emerging from his property. Meanwhile...
My wife has had a KIA cee’d diesel automatic for about two years without any trouble, but yesterday a strange and potentially dangerous thing happened. She had been driving along the main road at about...
I drive a Vauxhall Insignia Elite hatchback with leather upholstery, satnav and all the bells and whistles. Terrific car, I'm delighted with it. Currently, my wife drives a Hyundai i30 hatchback, which...
I have driven my Honda automatic since new in 1997 and covered 72,000 trouble and accident-free miles. Just recently, when moving the car, my right foot accidently slipped onto the accelerator and the...
Judging by the times Diesel Particulate Filters are mentioned in your columns, your mailbox must clog up with them. My question involves the distance one needs to travel before the DPF sorts itself out....
We hear a lot these days about the merits, or otherwise, of electric cars. One question I've never heard answered is: how do the occupants keep warm in wintry conditions? If power from the batteries is...
I would like to buy a new car from Drive the Deal but need to pass on my current car, a 2008 Vauxhall Astra 1.4SXI with cruise control. It will be five years old in April. I'm presuming Drive The Deal...
I wonder why a pre-paid Vauxhall Servicing Plan would exclude brake fluid? I've spoken to Vauxhall "Customer Care" whose attitude was that it is a matter between the car owner and franchise. I've spoken...
My wife and I are looking to replace our ageing and ailing 5-door, 1.6 petrol Ford Focus. Happy with 'used' as opposed to new, as it will be mainly used by my better half for short journeys with the odd...
I am intending to travel to Menorca and to Sicily this year. On both occasions I shall be hiring a car at the airport from the likes of Avis and Hertz. I understand that the CDW cover that they offer as...
I am thinking of purchasing a pre-registered ‘new car’ from New Car Discount and would like your opinion as to the reliability of this company. They assure me, although the car I would buy would be essentially...
I am 63 years old, 6-feet 1-inch tall, all-but-retired and use my wife's Prius for local and social driving. I have a 1998 SAAB convertible (with its original registration number S44B BD), which is all...
My wife is having difficulty getting in and out of my 2006 Renault Megane hatchback. I wish to change the car for something that is easier to access and especially get out of. Any advice appreciated.
I am looking to sell my M5 and would appreciate your advice as to how much I should get for it and the best way to sell it. It was registered on 30 June 2006 and has currently just short of 47,000 on the...
I see so much about DSG issues that I have to add my two-penny worth. My family have owned three Volskwagens with DSGs: two Golfs and a Polo. They all had some jerkiness at times, but the last Golf was...
I am intending to place an order on Saturday for a Volkswagen 1.4 SE Golf with the DSG gearbox. After reading bad comments on this gearbox I am now unsure whether to proceed. Your comments would be appreciated.
I saw your recent reply about snow socks. I have a pair of AutoSocks, which I have used three times. In January I travelled twenty-six miles in them on partially gritted and very snowy non-gritted roads....
Last Sunday a car ran into the back of my 2001 Honda CR-V while I was stopped. The lady’s car is a write-off. The lady has admitted liability. The insurance appointed repairers have told me it is very...
My 2000 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 TDI Estate (115bhp 6-speed) has now covered 281,000 miles. I have owned it since 2002 and 35,000. The engine, turbo and gearbox are untouched, apart from servicing and the clutch...
Last year I bought a brand new 2012 Ford C-Max Zetec, and I have got to say the mpg I am getting is nowhere near as good as the manufacturer stated. I understand I will not get 68.9mpg. However, I have...
I recently filled my car with petrol, and as I replaced the pump noticed the display read 46.5 litres. I was sure my tank only holds 45 and it hadn't been empty, but couldn't prove it so paid and left....
I'm looking at spending about £8000 on a car to replace my now tired 200,000-mile Focus. Since I'm doing over 30,000 pa, it needs to be both economical and comfortable on a long drive (120 miles a day)....
I've just experienced a similar situation to RW in a 2010 Volkswagen Passat CC with under 30,000 miles. The pulsing vibration on braking was very bad indeed and had gradually worsened over time. The inner...
James Foxall wrote that with driving licence renewal it is the responsibility of the driver to apply. Online I found that DVLA would send a reminder. Can you clarify please?
I have a problem with my 2011 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI (old model). When first purchased it gave me 54mpg. 14 months later it has now reduced to 47mpg with the same sort of driving pattern. I have tried to add...
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