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Questions from April 2013
In looking to change our car (a 2003 old shape Volvo V40 2.0i turbo Sport Lux). We have been considering the KIA Sportage 1.7 CRDI 2 or Hyundai ix35 due to their economical running costs, reasonable size...
My wife and I are retired and want to go touring in France this summer. What do you think of a BMW Z3 about 10 years old for the tour? It will only be used for the trip and will be sold upon return. Any...
Regarding the email headed ''Restraining Order'', I am careful to set the head restraint height on any vehicle I travel in. I have been hit hard twice from behind. My vehicle was written off on both occasions,...
My wife and I are both in our 70s and would appreciate your advice on the choice of our last car. Our budget is £4000, annual mileage about 6000. We have been considering the Kangoo, Berlingo, Wagon R...
My job requires me to drive around 25,000 miles pa, mostly on long, dull motorway trips. I am currently using a 2008 Audi A6 3.0 TDI Auto Quattro Avant. Can you please advise what, if any, problems I might...
In late November last year I was driving along a two-way urban 30mph road at 6.30pm, in pouring rain and dense traffic I suddenly felt two nasty bumps on the rear side, stopped in nearby layby and found...
Does the Nissan Qashqai 2.0dCi 150PS have a camshaft chain or belt drive? Also, same question for the Land Rover Freelander. I had a bad experience with a broken cambelt
I've got around 15k in a savings account but not getting much of a return, can you recommend/suggest a classic car that's a good potential investment and can be a bit of summer fun! Obviously I know you...
I have a 2002 Nissan Terrano SE 2.7 turbo diesel which I am looking at changing. I am interested in what price I could expect to receive in a part exchange. We are looking at buying a Honda CR V SE to...
I always understood that Mercedes Automatic gearboxes were some of the best. I am considering buying a new E-Class Auto with the 7G Tronic transmission but all the recent reviews I can find are saying...
How long it takes to HPI company to update their database?
I just bought a Ford Fiesta from a Ford dealer. After I paid I did HPI check which shows that car has outstanding finance on it.
The dealer...
Could you recommend a cheap starter classic? Something that can be purchased under £1000 and practical to use as an every day machine?
I am trying to rebuild a 1965 Austin A40 Farina but cannot find a new original off-side sill. The pattern parts are largely unsatisfactory and I have seen mark 1 sills turn up but these are different to...
Hi. I'm currently driving a Fabia, but really would like to move into something older and more interesting, as well as simpler and easy to fix.
My problem is that with an older car, even as young as the...
I need to buy a second car as a run around and was thinking about a Mercedes C107 SLC. Would this make a good car for regular use and what should I look for and how much should I pay for a reasonable one?
I decided to get an Allegro as a cheap entry to classic cars and it'd be nice to maintain it myself for the sake of pride as well as saving money.
I know they're relatively simple but I'm not exactly...
I've got a fairly small budget of £3000 and I want a characterful used British car - hopefully something that won't lose value. Maybe something with a bit of pace and that's not likely to cost too much...
My car is starting to show spots of rust despite how much I care for it - what's the best way to stop it spreading shy of respraying or new panels?
Had my 94 Jaguar Sovereign for a year now and I love it, just curious at how many are left and some say it's the next classic Jaguar, any thoughts?
If you keep an older, more rust prone car outside, does a cover really work? Is it a replacement for a garage?
I bought a one owner from new 1965 Austin last year. It has been garaged from new and has never been resprayed. There is filller in the rear wheel arches and front panel which is now starting to lift but...
I am young at 21, with one years only full UK license holding (2 in August). I have around £2500 available to buy a classic car, with Insurance, Road Tax (although ideally looking for Road Tax free) and...
I was parked on a road, off side of the car to the pavement. To leave my space I checked my mirror and reversed into an empty space behind me. I hit a car that was driving forward into the space. She...
Trying to decide between a 2010 BMW 318i or a 320d. I do about 10k miles per year. What would you recommend - also do they both have timing belts or chains?
I've narrowed my search for a second hand buy down to a few models, I have a max of £17-18k to spend, but id rather keep it to 15/16k unless theres something that will save me money over three years. in...
About a year ago idle control became very poor on my 2007 Nissan Qashqai. When engine and/or air temperature are cold, idle falls to around 500rpm when the clutch is dipped at junctions or in traffic,...
Accompanying my new job is a 18000 to 20000 mile annual commute, mainly on motorways but also occasional A roads. I have a budget of up to £11500 but more important than the initial outlay is my main...
Are you able to advise re a suspected side effect of insurance companies' measures against "fronting"? An elderly neighbour's car is owned and registered to him. He has not driven for several years and...
Last year my Jaguar X-Type diesel's fuel consumption suddenly dropped from 52 to 44mpg.
I have put two lots of injector cleaner in the tank; changed the fuel & air filters; checked the MAF and DPF operations...
When I bought the Evoque the salesman made much of a failsafe device in the fuel filler neck which would prevent misfuelling. Filled diesel car with petrol and drove about a mile. Dealer denies any liability...
I took my car to Evans Halshaw for a complimentary oil and filter change after purchasing it there as a used car. My car had no marks or scratches or technical problems on it when I dropped it off.
When...
I'm planning to buy a 2008 Lexus GS-450H. It has already done 130K miles (mostly on motorways) and has a complete Lexus Service History. Is 130K very high mileage for 450H?
Am looking to buy a small jeep type car - easy to get into and out. I have had two hip replacements at 65.
After much deliberation and maths, I am in the process of starting a 3 year lease for a 2013 Ford Kuga.
I have just been asked by the leasing firm if I wanted to take out optional maintenance cover at...
I would like to know you thoughts on used estate cars? I do minimal mileage and am looking for a lot of spec for my limited £4k. I can't make my mind up between what version of Audi I want or going for...
I have just received notification of speeding and a fine of $80 in New Zealand while on holiday there in early March 2013. Do I have to pay or can I ignore it (I have no plans to return to NZ in any case)...
Your advice columns are full of warnings about the longer-term running costs of modern diesel cars.
In the light of that I decided to stick with a petrol engined automatic to replace my faithful 13-year...
Going to purchase a second hand one or two year old Ford Fiesta Zetec 1400cc from main Ford Dealer during the next coming months. It will be : One previous owner, four door, petrol.
I am in no rush so...
Which of the two Ecoboost engines would you go for in a B-MAX titanium? Is the 120PS worth the extra cost?
I'm currently driving a 1999 BMW 328 which I very much like, but needs replacing. The BMW is too large for me, and I'd like to find something refined, quiet and comfortable for commuting as well as occasional...
Ford advises annual services at 12K miles. Is it worth carrying out an interim service at 6 mths/3K miles?
My car, a Ford Focus, only does 6K miles/year and was wondering if oily bits really get bad...
I bought a BMW X5 and the sat nav keeps asking me to insert disc - what is my system? I don't think the system has worked from new?
I have a Audi A4 with sat nav RNS-E we are going to France for our holidays and I would like to update the system as it is not very good, Audi charge about £250 plus ( I could buy a stand alone sat nav...
I need a small car that can cope with dales roads that can flood easily and we are often snowed in.
Parking is a problem so size is important.
I have a 1996 Volvo LPT 940 - an excellent car.
Sometimes the main headlights do not work; I have replaced the switch on the dashboard but to no avail.
Could it be the lighting relay?
When is a cam belt change due on a 2003 Mondeo Duratec?
I sold my MG last November (2012) for £650.00, £50.00 less than advertised as the seller stated it was all he had. I advertised as a fun car, all things that go wrong ie head gasket and radiator have been...
Hi HJ, I bought my car new in November 2012 and noticed a rattle after the first week which I emailed the salesman about.
My car has been back to the dealership four times for the same annoying rattle...
We are thinking of insuring our 21-year-old step son one of our cars for him to drive (it is a "second" car as both myself and my partner use two other cars on a daily basis for work).
The car will be...
After this spell of bad weather I think I might feel better about the future if I changed my car.
At present I have a 3 door 08 Mitsubishi Colt with 26k mileage, and want to sell it to buy something else....
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