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Questions from July 2013
Earlier this year I took out a new full breakdown package with the RAC. I was particularly interested in its Free Petrol Offer to new customers. The RAC was offering £50 to any new customer who signed...
I own a 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI with 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with low profile Pirelli 235/35 ZR 19 P Zero tyres. To meet legal requirements I will have to replace the tyres within the next...
I have a 2008 Honda CR-V automatic petrol version and we are very happy indeed, generally. The car is not perfect (fuel consumption and high tax rate) but it has some excellent features, one of which is...
What's the best method of removing another car’s paint from your own car’s paintwork?
I am returning to full time work in September and we are looking for a small, basic second car that I can use for my journey each day. My commute will be only 10 minutes each way along windy, country lanes...
Your reply about motorcycle exhaust noise was spot on. Motorcyclists need to do everything they can to make car drivers aware of their presence, from day-glo vests and daytime running lights to blipping...
In the past few days my wife and I have taken delivery of two new Ford cars: a Focus Estate and a B-Max; both are to Titanium X specification. Both cars have many attributes with which we are delighted....
My mortgage payments finish this month and I would like to celebrate by fulfilling a long-standing wish to run a Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201). I would have this as a "keeper" and run it until either one of...
The new Octavia is getting acclaim in all the reviews I have seen, but few have tested or commented on the 1.4 TSI 140PS petrol unit which I am thinking of buying to replace my 2007/57 2.0 Mazda 6. Quizzing...
How do you rate the Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI 163PS compared with the 2.0 TDCI 140PS version as regards reliability, value for money, known problems, maintenance, DPF reliability, etc.?
I would like to sing the praises of my local Hyundai dealership - TWG Northwich. I have an i30, which is just three years and one month old and 13,000 miles. I had taken it in for service and within 24...
We drive a RHD 2009 Ford S-Max that we bought new when we lived in UK. It has now completed 73,500 miles. When should I have the cam belt/chain (not sure which) changed? We really like this car for its...
My 2009 Skoda Superb is four years old and out of warranty. A couple of months ago the Columbus unit (radio, satnav, Bluetooth, etc) ceased to function. The local Skoda dealer said he had never heard of...
I have always preferred to use diesel engined vehicles due to their simplicity and reliability. However, now they are a mass-market product I am not sure if this is still the case. I have noticed a number...
I have recently returned from a holiday in Brittany. I drove hundreds of miles on all types of roads and I didn't encounter a single pothole. Also, no roadside litter. How is it that the French can get...
Following the recent mentions of silicone grease in your column, it is also an excellent lubricant for the rubber seals in a metal folding roof. After a few years the seals dry out, resulting in a lot...
Much mention is made in your column about tyre and wheel sizes relative to ride comfort. I'm going to change my Subaru Forester for the latest model and find that they've altered the wheel and tyre sizes....
My husband needs to replace his ageing 1999 Saab 9-5 Estate SE 2.0-litre turbo with Hersch management system. It has 80,000 on the clock. Should he look for a similar car circa four years old, or consider...
I have the same problem as JM. I am tall with long legs and dodgy knees, but I don't have his budget restriction of £10,000. Would that alter your recommendation of a Mondeo or Skoda Superb?
As a petrochemist specialising in engine lubrication I have to agree with your comments entirely. It's not commonly known that driving habits have an effect on vehicle reliability, and short journey "shopping...
I received a PCN charge from Parking Eye for overstay at Morrisons, which gives two hours free but no return within three hours. I had to re-visit the store to do more shopping within the 2-hour time limit,...
After many years I am coming out of a company car scheme, so am looking to buy a car. I have a wish list, and a few points. Maybe you can advise? I am 6-feet 2-inches, 18 stone, and have arthritic knees....
I wonder if you can help me. In January I bought an Audi A4 Avant that was a little over three years old and had done some 25,000 miles. Shortly after buying it I noticed a rhythmic thump, fairly slight,...
I had the wheels swopped around and it's done the trick. I'm sure the problem could have been solved 14 months ago had I been able to talk with the fitter instead of service receptionists. Many thanks,...
My car insurance renewal came through last week. I checked on a price comparison website, and found exactly the same policy with the same company, but £53 cheaper. So I cancel the existing policy and take...
I have a Rover 25 1.6 petrol that has lost coolant on a very small scale over the last five years or thereabouts. However, over the last week it has lost about one litre of coolant and my local garage...
Your column ran an article in year 2000 regarding the chicanes on Copse Hill, Wimbledon, which were installed in early 1998 but by the summer of 1998 they were held to have been responsible for about 100...
You advised MH that 15-inch wheels with 195/65 tyres would give an even softer ride. I have been considering a Ford Focus Estate 1.6 EcoBoost (182 PS) to replace my present 2009 Mercedes C220 CDI Sport....
I am writing to you regards the 1.2 Chevrolet Aveo LT we have just bought. We acquired it on 25 March and have now done 3000 miles but just don't seem to be getting anywhere near the 60.1mpg combined that...
I shall have to change my 10-year-old KIA Carens in the not too distant future and am looking for something of similar shape and roomy boot, but smaller. I love the look of the Skoda Roomster (petrol,...
I recently went onto the German version of the BMW website to look for some basic information about the 3 Series GT model that is not yet available in the UK (would it fit in my garage?). In doing so I...
My sister hired a car online in America shortly before her flight to London Heathrow. When she went to collect the car she was faced with considerable additional charges, one of which was road tax at £1.35...
I received renewal notification to tax the car when it was about to run out. I had the MoT done and I noticed on the renewal notification that the annual tax was £215. It mentions engine capacity/CO2 178g/km....
I used to drive a Mercedes-Benz E320CDI Avantgarde Estate but I had de-specified the tyres/suspension to the Elegance settings. It rolled slightly through corners but absorbed potholes beautifully and...
I saw your reply to SJ about damage to his car from a pothole. What we don’t know is how long it had been there. Councils will always hide behind weasel words such "as acted as promptly as possible". What...
We have a carport which, in our East of Scotland winters, is beneficial for our two vehicles as early morning there is no problem with ice and snow. However summer is a different story, when the swallows...
I purchased a used 2005 Honda S2000 from a main Honda dealer under their approved used car scheme in August 2012. The car came with a three year Honda warranty and I was told the car was HPI clear and...
We are an elderly couple looking for a new and accessible car. We do about 2000 miles per year and want a car with a petrol engine, four doors and automatic gearbox. Can you suggest something suitable...
My 2008 Mini Cooper developed a gearbox whine a few weeks ago and I took it in to the local dealer for diagnostics, where they found a faulty gearbox and quoted nearly £4000 to remove and replace with...
My 2010 Skoda Superb 1.8 SI is making a loud whining noise. Any idea what the problem could be?
I have a starting problem with my 1996 Peugeot 106. The engine turns over, but the car won’t start. Any ideas?
I bought a 2006 Honda CRV 2.0i EX last year. It's been brilliant so far, but one little aesthetic thing bothers me: the wheels (original 16-inch alloys with 205/65 tyres) just look too small for such a...
I've had my 2012 Nissan X-trail 2.0 Dci Tekna for seven months now and am having problems with the engine at 2400rpm. This always happens at some point during a journey, mostly in 2nd gear, with the engine...
My Citroen C4 has been standing for two weeks and now it will not start. I have charged the battery and it is showing 12 volts, but the electrics will not switch on and the engine refuses to turn over....
I am thinking of buying a Bentley Arnage, with a 4.4-litre V8, can it be converted to LPG? If so where would you recommend and how much would it cost?
I know it seem odd, but I would like to look after...
I took delivery of a brand new Ford Ka Titanium three weeks ago and I have been in dispute with the dealer ever since. The car is described in the brochure as having a premium steering wheel, shown with...
I purchased a 2010 Volkswagen Polo on behalf of my Mum from a local authorised dealer. Within a week of getting the car, my Mum noticed a clunk upon starting the engine and movement in the gear stick....
I'm looking for a small and reliable diesel car. It must be second hand and economical. I'm considering a Toyota Yaris 1.4, Ford Fiesta 1.3 and a Vauxhall Corsa 1.3. I drive about 300 miles a week mainly...
I live in a rural area and need a new car that can cope with farm tracks and untreated minor roads in the winter. I don’t want a big 4x4, but do want something with front-wheel drive that's big enough...
In April 2013 I bought a 2008 Mini Cooper from an independent dealer. The car was fine until yesterday when it started to make a noise.
BMW Mini has diagnosed the problem as a faulty clutch release bearing....
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