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Questions from June 2013
I am thinking of replacing my 89,000 mile 2004 Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI with a similar car. I do about 9000 miles a year, mostly short runs. In view of your warnings about DPFs can you tell me at what point...
What are the pros and cons of different wheel sizes?
I am looking at a 2008 BMW 320d with 15,000 miles. The trouble is, it only has one stamp in the service book. Should engine oil be changed every year, regardless of miles done?
Last Friday I collected a 2006 motorhome based on a Renault Master 2.5 with 25,000 miles from a reputable dealer. From paying the deposit to collecting the vehicle took six weeks because I noticed when...
The 'start/stop' system on my new Volkswagen Golf TSI is operating very smoothly and presumably contributing to its relatively good urban fuel consumption. However, I recall some discussion about the risk...
My new Zafira Tourer comes on 17-inch wheels rather than 16-inch as on my Zafira B. If I wanted a softer ride, would 16-inch be ok on the Tourer? On the web seems it seems they are available but not in...
I have owned a Honda CRX for 24 years. It is due for some rust treatment and a respray later this month. However I am now 55 and my wife and friends feel that I should get a car more suitable for a middle...
I have the advantages of pure nitrogen in tyres from a leaflet from a tyre fitting centre. What in your view are the disadvantages? At £2.50 per wheel it seem at first to be a no-brainer but your view...
I have a Nissan Primera Sport (1988cc). I tow a Lunar Ultimar 462 MTPLM 1,210kg. I am looking for a small 4x4 to replace the Nissan. I am considering a Freelander 2, Hyundai i150 and Nissan Qashqai. I...
I am having problems with the sat nav in my new Mazda 6. The system failed soon after delivery and was eventually fixed by a Mazda technician who reconnected each wire in the cable.
Now, 5000 miles later,...
I have a choice of two Jaguar XK models at the same price.
A) 1997 with 71k miles
or
B) 2002 with 144k miles
All other things being equal, which would you recommend?
Took my car to a Tesco hand car wash. Something was used on aluminium step boards and it has marked them. It looks like milk running down them. Noticed this before leaving car park and took it back. They...
I'm thinking of purchasing a 2010 SEAT Ibiza 1.2 or 1.4 diesel for a five mile daily commute. Is this a sensible choice or should I consider a petrol engine instead?
I am having problems with the brakes on my 2010 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A160 CDi. For the first 18 months the brakes worked OK, but then (when stationary and holding the car on the footbrake) the pedal sinks...
The heater blows permanently hot on the drivers side of the car, passenger side is ok?
I am 60+ and want a well equipped car for two people that will allow easy access for a dog and golf clubs and will cover only 6000 miles per year. What do you recommend?
I need to trade down and as such am looking to spend up to £2000. It would need to be reliable, cover 30 miles per day with the odd longer trip. Other than that it would be on light duties. Economy isn't...
My car requires unleaded fuel, which fuel is best to use?
I realise you recommend Shell V-Power, however I do not have the money to regularly fill with this.
Which other fuels do you recommend I use that...
A friend wants to sell an Alvis Chassis that he owns. Where would be the best place for advice?
I bought a used Megane Scenic in January 2013. The seller is known to me (son of a work colleague) and his dad mailed the log book to the DVLA the next day, registered from work. I heard nothing for over...
I am planning to purchase a Ford Focus 1.0-litre with the Ecoboost turbocharged petrol engine. Have you had reports of any reliability problems with this new engine?
What is the sensible oil change milage for a 2009 BMW 120D and what is correct volume and grade of oil to use in a complete change. The garage I use seems reluctant to change it based on milage and seem...
I want to buy a Range Rover Sport 3.0 HSE, and I'm aiming to secure an 11 plate with 12 to 20K miles on the clock. However I have a dilemma and it’s all about the diesel engine - for years I have done...
My son has started a business for which he will need to tow a three ton trailer every couple of weeks, they are also expecting their first child in six weeks.
He has around £1500 to spend and is looking...
Any one else finding that the Hyundai i30 1.4 diesel on cruise control is really "jerky" on downhill sections, almost as though it´s using the brakes now and again to maintain the speed?
Not too bad...
We want to buy a used, new shape Volkswagen Touran 1.6 TDI SE (2011 onwards) with a budget of up to about £17,000. We have driven a manual and find the clutch heavy, so think we will go for the 7 speed...
Can you please tell me if the 140PS 1.4 TSI engine is the SEAT version of the ACT Volkswagen engine, with a cam belt, or a standard engine but with higher rating?
Also, is the 1.8 Seat Leon petrol engine...
After looking at and test driving a lot of small and medium hatchbacks to replace our now three year old BMW 1 Series, we have ordered a new Renault Clio in glacier white. Please could you let me know...
I'm helping my folks replace their 2003 Ford Focus TDCI Sport with a Volkswagen Golf. They only do 6000 miles per year and fancy a Golf having had a few in the past. Which engine would you recommend?
They...
I'm looking to buy a used Honda CRV (probably 2004-06) for occasional use. It will primarily be used to cope with adverse wet (floods) and winter weather on rural roads, plus motorway journeys every now...
We purchased a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI last year from a car supermarket in Sheffield. It has covered 46,000 miles and was serviced by the manufacturer up to 31,000 miles. It may be my imagination,...
I’m thinking of buying a nearly new car for my retirement, but can’t decide between the Citroen C3 Picasso or Skoda Yeti. I will only drive on short journeys and cover 5000 miles in a year. Which car should...
I currently drive an Audi TT, but find the ride too hard. I’m thinking about a new Alfa Romeo Giulietta and have decided on the 1.4 petrol, but which spec do I opt for to get the best ride?
I have a 2010 Smart Fortwo. The car has covered 30,000 miles and has a full Smart history. In March the auxiliary belt went, which in turn damaged the engine. I have been in dispute with Mercedes-Benz...
We are looking to buy a family diesel estate for around £6000. We are not rich people so reliability, practicality and fuel economy is very important; however, we do want prestige and all the things you...
I have brought a 2013 Ford Ranger pick up and had a lot of problems. I have had a bonnet respray, a broken panel behind the bumper, water in the mirror indicator and a faulty tyre, which I had to replace...
The offside front suspension of my Seat Altea makes a soft knocking noise when going over rough road surfaces, manhole covers, sleeping policemen etc. I reported this to the dealer last year, but was told...
There is a diesel smell entering the cabin of my Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0. My local garage has been unable to find the source of the leak, but suspects that it may be coming from the pump.
The garage...
I have a MINI One which has Continental Radial tubeless 175/65 R15 tyres at present. They are worn so I need to replace them, but want ones that will reduce road noise as much as possible. Can you suggest...
I owned a Lexus RX400h, which gave consistent results of 34mpg summer and 33mpg winter.
My current Lexus Rx450h (2009 with 70,000 miles) doesn't get much better than 32mpg.
It's puzzling as the 400h...
My wife's Nissan Micra SR Sport is seven years old with 50,000 miles on the clock and we are looking for replacement.
My wife likes the Alfa Romeo MiTo, but I'm a little concerned about reliability and...
The auxiliary belt on my Ford Focus shredded whilst I was in the fast lane of the M60. My local Ford dealer diagnosed damage to all 16 valves and the head due to the cambelt being fouled with pieces of...
I have just discovered the wheels on my Subaru Legacy are buckled. Shall I buy new alloys or steel wheels?
I’m not interested in looks, only durability. The current tyres are 215/65 R16, where can I...
I bought a car from a dealer on April 25th. The tax disc on the car shows 30/6/13. I never received a reminder through the post so I went online to order a tax disc from the start of next month, but the...
What in your opinion is the best used smallish 4x4?
It must be automatic (for my wife to drive), but we don’t mind which fuel type. At present we use a 1995 Toyota Rav4 automatic, but we feel we could...
I’m thinking of replacing my 2003 Skoda Octavia Elegance hatchback 1.9 TDi. The car is great and tows a 1140Kg caravan with no problem, but I want to replace it with something that’s just three or four...
I own a 2005 Jaguar X-Type 2.2 diesel. After running at motorway speeds for 1.5 hours the glow plug warning light appears, followed by the engine malfunction light. The vehicle then goes into limp home...
Mercedes-Benz Brookwood have a 350SL £43k first registered November 2011 that arrived in the UK November 2010 and placed in their showroom for 12 months with zero miles driven. Sold to a private buyer...
My mother bought a new Volkswagen Up auto, but the gearbox was so terrible and unsuitable for the hilly area my mother lives in that she became terrified to use the car. The dealer agreed to buy back the...
I got my full license a month ago and I'm looking for a second hand car.
My budget is £6000 including insurance (insure the box insurance is around £1600)
I like Corsa and Swift - I found some I thought...
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