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Questions from August 2013
I have a motor caravan on a Peugeot "Boxer" 2.5TD chassis, circa 1996. The gearbox has recently been replaced. Now, if after driving for some miles and while in 5th gear I brake it becomes impossible to...
I have recently bought a new Ford Kuga and want to get a towbar fitted by an independent company. However, my local dealer has told me (in writing) that this will invalidate my warranty and the work should...
I took delivery of my Range Rover Evoque last month, but have recently noticed a small rust spot with some bubbling of the paint around the wing. I took it back to the Land Rover dealer who has taken photos...
My Nissan X-Trail has broken down in France. The engine just died and I coasted to a stop. I found a local garage who diagnosed a timing chain problem and wants to strip the engine down to investigate.
However,...
The automatic gearbox on my 2002 Vauxhall Zafira has stopped working. The engine starts fine, as does the gear stick, but the car doesn't move. Is there anything inside it that should be working or is...
My battery in my key has gone flat. Do I need a new key or can I just get the battery changed? Also would I have to do this at the dealer or are other places able to offer this service?
I noticed the alloy wheels on my BMW E91 320d have corroded three years and three months after I bought the car from new. The wheels have been well looked after and the car has only done 35000 miles.
BMW...
I am looking to change my petrol 2003 Honda CRV. It has been a great car, but I want to replace it with something newer. I've looked at the new Honda CRV/Mazda CX-5/Hyundai Santa Fe, but can’t decide.
I...
I need a comfortable, reliable and efficient diesel hatchback for a weekly commute from Leeds to Birmingham. I have around £8000 to spend for a second hand model. Any suggestions?
Considering we have winter coming in a few months and its about time I replaced the front two wheels of the car. I was wondering what's the best option in a price range of £70 - 130? I plan on having only...
I have had to replace the tyres on my last two cars because of cracks caused by UV light, and not because of wear. Is there any way I can prevent this in future?
We are buying a 2006 Ford Galaxy, which has already been serviced by a local Ford dealer. However, a mechanic has told us that, whatever diesel car we buy, we should change the oil and filters immediately...
We are a couple in our 60s looking to trade in our two cars for something economical and reliable. Our budget would be the part exchange of a 2011 Fiat 500 and a 2008 Volvo C30, plus £6000. What do you...
I recently bought a 2007 Nissan Qashqai 2007 with Nexen 215/65/R16 tyres. I have been advised that I will need to change two for the next MoT and want to fit tyres that are less noisy. Any suggestions?...
I have owned two Kia Sorentos for ten years, and have been very satisfied with them driving over 200k miles. At 60k miles in my second one, I experienced a definite loss of power in 3rd, 4th & 5th gears...
The oil light on my Audi A4 is constantly on. The oil pressure sender has been changed and levels are always kept spot on. What should I try next?
I am buying a Lexus IS 300h: I have a choice to fit 205/55/R16 or 225/45/R17 as opposed to the standard 18-inch wheels. Which do you recommend?
Can you tell me where I can purchase a workshop manual for my Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
I am looking to buy my first car (second hand) with a budget of around £4000. I need the car to get me to and from work, which would include motorway (substantial) and city driving.
I’ve seen a nice...
I wrote off my 9-year-old BMW 330i and am trying to decide what to replace it with. My husband is fixated on Mercedes-Benzs or BMWs and so I have considered a CLK. Part of me feels that I don't need something...
Please can you help me? At the end of last year I loaned my car to a Missionary friend who returned to this country for Christmas, who was aged 55 with a clean licence and full NCB when he owned a car...
I own a Mercedes-Benz SL and when I needed a car seat for my grandson who is now eight years old, I was told by Mercedes I had to buy a seat to fit that also turned the airbag off automatically. The price...
I remember many years ago that Land Rover was developing an 8 cylinder high revving diesel engine. If I remember correctly it was named "Pegasus", and it was killed off sometime around 1980 by Land Rover’s...
We have a 2005 Vauxhall Corsa 1229cc which, over the past twelve months, has developed a water leak into the driver's side front well. Have you heard of this problem before? And where might the leak be...
My retired mother is looking at selling her immaculate 1995 Mercedes-Benz C180C auto with 50,000 miles on the clock. She wants a smaller, more economical and manoeuvrable car for her short suburban journeys....
I have a Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel and keep it in a locked garage with the car unlocked. The service manager at my local Jaguar dealer told me there is less drain on the battery if the car is locked rather...
Two years ago we replaced our small car in haste with a 1.4 VTR Citroen C2, which we find disappointing in both performance and economy. We are now looking to replace and have shortlisted a 208 1.4 VTI,...
I am about to retire and looking to buy a crossover, but am put off by all the dealers telling me I have to do at least 15,000 miles per year if I want a diesel. I do 10,000 miles. I also have driven automatics...
My father is a 63-year-old large man at 6-foot 3-inches, and heavy! He currently drives a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S320 diesel. He travels 60 miles a day to and from work. He is beginning to complain about the...
My wife recently purchased a new Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi (75) ecoFLEX from a main dealer. She does a 130 mile daily commute, only around six miles of which is motorway. We explained the route, use of the...
I run a 2008 Audi 4 Avant TDI B7, which I bought new. The dealer offered oversize 18-inch wheels and 235/40 tyres as a free option as part of an incentive package to sell the last few old body shape models....
When I eventually change my BMW Z4 35is, I think that the natural choice would be a Boxster S. However, I have no need for a practical car at all and wonder if a Morgan (perhaps a 2-litre 4-seater) would...
For the first time in 14 years I am about to get a company car with a job I start on 1 July. The criteria below make for a wide ranging choice. I do about 25,000 miles per year and have a family with three...
My 2010 Honda Jazz 1.4 EX gives strange fuel consumption results. I filled it to the brim, looked at the computer and it said it could do 490 miles until next fill. I drove approximately 300 miles, at...
Have you an opinion on autoebid? Are the prices they quote achievable?
I recently took a test drive in a new Audi Q5. The S Line version seems to have the equipment and extras that I would prefer but only comes with 19-inch wheels and 235/55 R19 tyres, whereas the lesser...
I read about problems with turbos, in particular from not letting the engine tick over for a few minutes to cool down after hot running. These all seem to relate to diesel engines. I have a current Mercedes-Benz...
As I am contemplating buying a car with Renault's TCe 90 engine I have read with interest your recent comments on overheating turbos and would appreciate your advice on some points. Does carbonising build...
Under the heading 'Purring along' you seem to advocate driving at a steady 75mph on a motorway. I am under the impression from the Highway Code that the maximum speed on motorways and dual carriageways...
Living in both the UK and Australia I own two petrol 1.8TSI Passats. Due to intense media scrutiny in Australia regarding DSG gearboxes failures Volkswagen is recalling my Australian car. My UK car is...
Am I an old spoilsport or should the police prosecute all these TV presenters, reporters and now even Eddie Stobart professional HGV drivers for talking to and looking at the in-cab camera whilst driving...
I need your help. Over the last 40 years I have driven two or three door cars which moved when the pedal was pressed, apart from the last two years when I have been driving a 5-door 1.0 litre Corsa given...
I would like to sell my 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 with soft and hard top. It is in reasonable condition and has a new radiator, new carbs and new clutch, six months' tax and nearly a year’s MoT. Please...
The current brochure does not list an Octavia 1.4 TSI DSG, but the Skoda on-line configurator allows you to configure one. The CO2 emissions are lower than was posted at the launch of the car. They are...
We're looking to buy a small MPV when my wife retires, to replace our two cars, a Peugeot 307 and a Citroën C5 (old model). We are hesitating between the Ford C-Max and the Citroën Xsara Picasso, or possibly...
I have sent you a copy of the Audi A4 2012 brochure. In it the EC figures show the claimed improvements in mpg between the 2008 and 2012 models. In a recent County Court judgement against Audi relating...
My wife has just sold her much-loved 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee and bought a newer one, a 2000 Grand Cherokee 4-litre petrol which has only 38,000 miles. It’s been a Chelsea tractor and well looked after....
I am thinking of choosing the diesel Hyundai i40 Bluedrive SW for my next car. It has good economy, low emissions, a favourable insurance group and, to my eyes, looks good. I am, however, concerned that...
I was interested to read your comments about the KIA Sorento. Two years ago I took delivery of a new KX3 2.2D and the following day started a journey to the south of France. While it was running on UK...
My Avensis is now nearly seven years old but has done only 40,700 miles, completely trouble-free. I therefore plan to continue running it until it starts giving problems. One pair of tyres will soon need...
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