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Questions from June 2013
I recently damaged my radiator on a high kerb and called the RAC for assistance, not wishing to involve my insurers thinking costs would be relatively low. My membership did not cover the incident, but...
I have been considering swapping my 2003 Ford Focus Mark I, 2.0 Zetec, owned from new, for a convertible. I would prefer to retain front wheel drive, 2.0-litre petrol engine (or near equivalent) and manual...
I thought that you would be interested to know that I have done what I think is a sensible thing, and at last got around to replacing the standard fit 18-inch wheels and 245/45 R18 tyres with still smart...
I wonder if you could help please. I'm trying to sell my 2007 Audi RS4 Saloon with full navigation, Harmon Kardon sound system and Nappa leather, in red, with 33,000 miles on the clock. Could you please...
I have a RAV4 T180 and hung on for the new RAV4, as my current car has been great, but I’m not keen on the replacement. I looked at most of the competition and think we might prefer an auto this time....
You have often advised against protecting no-claims discounts as companies price in your claims history anyway. How about this: I recently renewed my insurance through a comparison website and chose Hastings...
What is your opinion of the Juke? I am coming off an ageing Focus C-Max and would like a change. The Skoda Yeti is out of my price range and I like the look and feel of the Juke, but have no experience...
I would like your opinion on the validity of the average auction prices at BCA. I was tracking a BMW X5 at Enfield on Wednesday, the average auction price was £18,800. The car was sold provisionally for...
Our 2001 Toyota Previa petrol automatic has been an absolute joy and we've driven every one of its 125,000 miles. Sadly it's beginning to get expensive in its old age and it's time for a change, but Toyota...
My brother has just purchased a 2001 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S which appears to be in excellent condition, but I am concerned that the tyres fitted may not be compatible front/rear. Fronts are Pirelli P Zero...
I clean my car every month but I have noticed that there has been a steady build up of some small hard spots of brake material on the wheels that is very difficult to remove, even with a pressure washer....
I drive a 2012 Evoque TD4 model and am very disappointed with the suspension. It provides a rough ride on country roads and is especially uncomfortable for rear passengers. Can the suspension be adjusted...
I own a 2007 Saab 9-3, which has been very reliable until recently when an ESP fault developed. This was traced to the steering angle sensor, which is integral to a bigger unit called the "CIM" unit. So...
Changing my Volvo V70's winter 16-inch steel rims and Cooper ‘WeatherMaster Snow’ 205/55 R16 tyres back to the factory 17-inch alloy rims with Pirelli P6000 225/50 R17 tyres for the third year annual changeover,...
I need to buy a car for my wife and daughter to commute eight miles each way, via rural roads, to school each day. Occasionally we will drive from our farm to Edinburgh and back again, which is a 300-mile...
Some little while ago I bought a new LHD Jaguar XF from Stratstone, Slough and took it back to France. It was an absolutely brilliant car that developed a minor technical issue that was fixed under warranty...
I have a collector's multi-vehicle insurance policy through Footman James, which I have held for nearly 20 years. This policy allows only one modern car, which currently is a Lexus LS430 - a lovely and...
My mother-in-law is gifting her 12-year-old Yaris 1.0 to my 23-year-old nephew with no driving experience. She has also recently moved house so need to change details on the V5. The Yaris will only be...
I strongly disagree with your advice to MB. I recently traded in my Sorento after owning it from new for 12 months. I've got nothing positive to say about it. It drove like a shed and the gearchange on...
My wife owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK, which we bought about three years ago. Since we owned the car, it has only covered about 3000 miles a year and is serviced once a year by an independent Mercedes...
Esso is now selling 'Super' variants of petrol and diesel at significantly lower prices than the Shell or BP equivalents. Do you have any feedback as to how they compare?
Three of my last four vehicles have been Renault Espaces. As Renault no longer offers an Espace in the UK, and not being enamoured with the Grand Scenic, I am looking to change and downsize. My current...
We have an 8-year-old Ford Ka that has always been looked after by a local independent garage. As it was eight years old we thought we should have it serviced by a Ford main dealer. This proved a disaster....
Our editor's secretary seems to be getting shafted by her local Ford dealer. She paid £1400 for a new gearbox for her 1.6-litre, 2005 petrol Focus estate but they didn't replace it, and now say the ECU...
My experience since purchasing a new Mark VI Golf on my retirement last October has not been good. I wrote to Volkswagen about a vibrating clutch pedal issue that my local dealer had told me was normal...
For the last 20 years I have run a number of Volvo estates, mostly V70s but the last a Volvo V50, all diesel powered. I am now retired, and have decided it's time to change my V50 that has done 80,000...
My daughter has two children under two who travel in the back of her 2007 Fiesta in modern child seats with separate ISOFIX tethers. She is looking for a vehicle that is wide enough to seat another adult...
I have a 2005 Nissan X-Trail and it has had a new turbo and intercooler. Apart from the turbo issue, the car has been very reliable and I have been pleased with it. I would like to buy the newer version...
We have ordered a Vauxhall Mokka SE and are a bit surprised at the four month waiting list. You regularly comment on the size of tyres and comfort of ride. The SE comes with 18-inch wheels. Should we ask...
I recently test-drove a Volvo V40 with the 5-cylinder diesel engine. It was great, but just a bit small for us. Could you tell me which other cars of any make use this 5-cylinder engine, which I found...
In January 2009 I took your advice and bought a Hyundai i10 1.2 Style. I have never regretted this and my little car has never given me a moment's trouble. It is serviced each year at the Hyundai garage...
Three years ago I bought a Mondeo 2.0TDCI, good condition, full service history, 39,000 miles (now 48,000) to tow my caravan, which it has done very well. Three weeks ago while driving solo the turbo cut...
My sister was driving out of a parking space in a multi-story when she was hit by a vehicle driving the wrong way round the car park. Having contacted her insurance she was advised that she is 100% liable...
What is the recommended mileage to change the cam belt on a 2009 Volvo V50 1.6d DRIVe estate?
My car has covered 94,000 miles, but I understand the plastic rollers and water pump should be changed as...
I bought a second hand Qashqai N-Tec in 2012. The specification is for 17 inch wheels. The car was fitted with 16 inch wheels from new due to a shortage of 17 inch wheels. (I have seen the technical paper...
I've never owned a Volkswagen before so not sure how they work but I noticed yesterday when I put my key in the ignition in position 2, I was just listening to the stereo and noticed two yellow symbols...
I'm after some help in choosing a small, petrol, automatic car to replace my ageing 2005 Vectra SRI CDTi 150 (98,500 miles).
My daily commute is a 60 mile round trip on A roads / motorways and I do short...
Wonder if you can give me some advice on my Yaris 1.4 D4D oil consumption. It has just had its second consumption test and has used 1.4L of oil in just under 2,000 miles which the dealer says is perfectly...
My family are visiting from NZ for 10 weeks from July. They are borrowing my car and I would prefer they cover insurance themselves. Can they buy three temp insurance policies to run one after the other...
My 2010 Porsche Cayman S will be three years old in several days time and so earlier this week I had JCT600 in Newcastle carry out an 'end of warranty check' and give it an MOT. While it was in the garage...
We are looking for a fice-door hatchback, diesel, manual, and not a city car. It needs low emissions, low tax bracket and good road holding and should cost below£14,000. It will be for use on steep winding...
I recently bought a second car and on my receipt it states three months warranty. On contacting the dealer he now says it is on major components only, I didn't receive a booklet or small print on the warranty....
We're looking for a small, economical, low tax petrol 4/5 door mainly for the school run - any suggestions?
I am buying a Polo 2006 (56 reg) 1.2 E 64bhp 66500 miles from an independent dealer. How much it should cost and is it a belt or chain driven cam? Dealer claims it to be a chain.
I have an 09-plate diesel Ford Focus. The air con works normally when started up. After 10-15 mins, it still blows cold, but the volume of air coming through the vents drops drastically.
If you turn...
How rare is this car, have been looking and can't find one. I registered at the owners club and it is like rocking horse manure?
Just organised a holiday in France to discover that the oil light in my Ford Focus (2001) flashes every now and again - usually if I need to brake heavily.
I added a litre of oil two weeks ago and checked...
My daughter contacted the main MINI dealer in Stockport and told a sales person she knows that she was interested in trading her Volkswagen Beetle against a used MINI One.
The brief was up to three-years-old...
I am planning on buying a 4x4 with a budget of £17k. A two year old X-Trail is top of the list but I'd like your view on whether a new Dacia Duster would be a better or worse investment. I'd be likely...
I intended on having a motoring holiday in France but understand that my five year old Tomtom satnav might be illegal. It has fixed speed camera sites for UK installed but I'm not sure about France. If...
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