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Questions from August 2013
Hi there, I'm looking at buying a new car and have seen a 59 Plate Audi A4 2.0 TDI S Line. It's a beautiful car with immaculate body work and besides a small mark on the inside of the drivers door it's...
I own a 2008 Vauxhall Corsa SXi, which has only covered 12,000 miles. After its last service and MoT the engine management light (EML) came on. I changed the front O2 sensor, but after 48 hours it came...
Two weeks ago the clutch pedal on my MG ZT 2.5 manual went. I took it to a garage who replaced both the master and slave cylinder. Before they started the work, the mechanic offered to replace the clutch...
I disconnected the battery on my Ford Fiesta recently and the radio is locked. Can anyone help me with the code for FD4500 SN M046770?
I’m looking to buy a used Skoda Octavia estate. This will be my first diesel and I’ll be driving eight to nine miles a day. Does it make sense to buy a diesel or will I encounter problems with the DPF?...
I had four new Michelin tyres (205/60R15) fitted to my 1998 BMW 323i Coupe in 2009. Since then I have only covered 14,000 miles, yet comments from a recent MoT test note that 'the tyres are perishing and...
I bought a Rover 75 two weeks ago. The garage told me the car was in good condition and had a new clutch fitted less than 100 miles ago. Since then I’ve covered 400 miles and the clutch has failed.
I...
We are moving to Guernsey in a few weeks and plan to take our new Volkswagen Up with us. I phoned Volkswagen’s financial service to inform them, but they have told me I need to pay the loan in full before...
I purchased a new Chevrolet Captiva a few months ago. Within weeks of owning the car an oil drip appeared on my driveway and the dealer told me to bring it in for a check-up. However, on the way to the...
My local dealer has a 2012 Toyota RAV4 for sale for £18,490. It has covered 10,000 miles and looks in good condition. Is this a fair price, and what could I expect to get for trade on my 2006 Toyota Rav4...
I am looking for a replacement for my Toyota Auris Hybrid T-Spirit. Can you tell me if I should replace it with another Auris or buy the new Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion 1.6TDI?
Is it sensible to wait and buy a demonstrator rather than brand new? I'm thinking of buying a Honda CRV and want to get a good deal. How long do Honda keep their demo cars before selling?
In my twenties I drove an MGB roadster and a TR4 and enjoyed both greatly. I now desire a cabriolet/roadster again. Which is the best bet for a 65 year old - a Vauxhall Cascada (I have GM points to use),...
I sold a vehicle recently, which was later caught using a prohibited to cars bus lane. In this time the DVLA had not had time to update their systems therefore the PCN came to me. Unfortunately I did not...
I've just bought a 2005 Citroen Xsara Picasso 2.0 Diesel, but there is strange crunching noise coming from the near side front wheel area. It's relatively consistent and doesn't just happen under breaking....
I have a 2006 Ford Focus. A few months back the engine management light came on and my local garage said it was caused by the emissions sensor. However, I’m not sure this is true as the car passed its...
I have a 2004 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi with an automatic/tiptronic gearbox. I’m very happy with the car, but while driving in tiptronic mode the automatic gearbox will change down when the revs are below 2500rpm....
My new BMW 330D M Sport Touring was delivered a few weeks ago; it had two small stone chips on the n/s rear quarter panel, and a hairline scratch on the black gloss part of the door.
I corresponded with...
My mother in her 80s needs to buy a small petrol car with a good automatic gearbox. She is concerned about accident protection, so wants SIP and lots of airbags. She likes diesels, but obviously wants...
I own a 2006 Ford Focus estate with 165,000 miles on the clock. I’ve been told the car needs a new duel mass fly wheel, which will cost approximately £800. I estimate the car to be worth £1200. Is it worth...
I have a 2010 KIA Cee'd that I want to replace with a new or nearly new hatchback. The car must be no more than 1.8 metres wide and have a boot that will take a bag of golf clubs and an electric trolley....
I had a service a few months back, but ever since then my power steering has been making screeching noises every time I make a turn. I kept going back to the garage (solo mechanic) and asking about it,...
I've just put a second hand engine in my 2001 Vauxhall Astravan. From what I can tell, the engine was good and the only thing that needed changing was the fuel pump. However, I started it up and it is...
I want to replace my works lease car (Audi A3) with a family/work car which will cover 14,000 miles per year. I also need a small car for my 18 year old daughter to learn to drive in. Both must be reliable...
I am thinking of buying a new shape Honda Civic, question is do I go for 1.6 or 2.2? My local Honda dealer let slip that with the arrival of the new 1.6 I-DTEC "earth-dreams" engine Honda will in time...
I hired a car from Hertz in Nice, France for five days in May. However, I have just received a speeding fine from the French authorities for driving at a different location later in July. How Can this...
I'm thinking of buying a Vauxhall Agila. Can you tell me the real mpg difference between the 1.0 ecoflex and 1.2 ecoflex engines?
I need a small used car with good fuel economy and easy access for three elderly passengers. I also want a decent sized boot for holiday luggage and simple driving controls. I have £7000 to spend, what...
I’m currently experiencing some problems with my Ford Galaxy and its Powershift gearbox. When going at constant vehicle speed up a steep hill (or gentle incline while towing a caravan), the engine revs...
Help, I can’t stop the alarm going off on my Toyota Avensis. I dropped the keys and the buttons stopped working, so I tried the key in the door and the alarm started going off. I now can’t drive the car...
The speedometer on my Citroen C5 is seven miles out. The problem has only started since I had the cambelt changed. What could be the cause?
In Sept 2012 I bought a 2010 Audi Q5 from my local dealer. When I bought the car I specifically asked if it had any history of accidents, damage or repairs; I was told it had not.
Earlier this year I...
I am contemplating the purchase of an Audi A3 Sportback S-Line, however I am worried about the comfort provided by the standard 18 inch wheels. Is it really so much worse than the 16 and 17 inch wheels...
We have owned a Citroen Xsara Picasso for six years and have been very pleased with its size, comfort, capacity and versatility. I really would like to buy a new one - only problem is now there is no...
I own a BMW 118D, but following my wife’s stroke I find the car is no longer suitable for our needs. What we now want a car with easy access and a much softer ride. A friend has a Suzuki Grand Vitara and...
I currently have a Land Rover Discovery 3 and use it for my job as a handyman, transporting plasterboard (2m wide) lengths of wood/pipe, tools and other equipment. When not working I use the Discovery...
My Chevrolet Matiz is on its last legs, but I don’t know what to replace it with. I have around £8000 to spend and want a reliable and economical car. Would it be better to get a petrol or a diesel? I...
I’m searching for a good all round MPV with seven seats. I have £10,000 to spend, but find the many makes and models on offer to be bewildering. I want something with good space, economy, ride comfort...
Last month I bought a 2007 Mercedes-Benz E350 from a Kia dealer. I noticed that it was making a groaning noise from the front, and informed the dealer. They told me to take it to a local garage (we agreed...
We’re looking to buy a medium sized SUV. It must have space for large dog and a couple of kids. We drive about 14,000 miles a year including a daily work commute totalling 28 miles over half of which is...
My 2007 BMW 3 Series Touring has been diagnosed as a differential problem. The car has covered 64,000 miles and has a full BMW service history. I’ve been quoted £1400 plus fitting for a new diff, but can’t...
I’ve seen the new Renault Clio Estate and really want to buy one; however, I can’t find one in the UK. I’ve tried asking at my local dealer, but they couldn't help. Do you have any idea when this car will...
My Hyundai i20 is a good car but the ride on standard Hankook 185/60 R15 tyres is distinctly choppy. I’m in the processing of buying two new tyres, what would you recommend to improve the ride?
I need a cheap car to run for £1500. Have you any recommendations?
I need to replace the tyres on my Suzuki SX4. I currently run Continental 205/60 R16 92H ContiPremiums, should I go for the same or fit all weather tyres?
It would seem that my 2007 Volkswagen Golf has finally succumbed to the infamous ESP light failure. I bought the car 18 months ago from a dealer and it has covered 55,000 miles. Do you know if Volkswagen...
The timing chain has broken on my Nissan X-Trail. The fault causes the engine to blow, even though it had only done 95,000 miles. I was under the impression that diesels should be good for more than 200,000...
I have 2010 Ford Focus and am considering a DPF removal. The system itself hasn't given my any issues, but I am worried about future problems. Is this a good idea, or would it cause more problems than...
I bought a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara privately, but after two weeks told by local garage that the car needs a new DPF and cat converter. The seller bought the car from the dealer in May, can I demand that...
I have a strange warning light on my Citroen C5, which looks like a soft verge with a car is leaning on one side. I have looked through the owner’s manual, but cannot seem to find the meaning.
Secondly,...
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