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Trending topics in September 2013
Questions from September 2013
The clutch on my Vauxhall Vectra is making a noise every time I press it. I'm guessing it needs a new one, but I've no idea where to look. can you help?
I have just bought a new Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI DSG, but I have a few niggling issues with the car. What’s your recommendation when stationary at traffic lights or queuing? I am reluctant to sit with...
I have a 1991 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6, which I bough back in May and have been restoring back to good condition. It was a bit tatty when I bought it, but it is now in nice condition, with a new interior etc....
I’m a builder looking for a new van. However, I want something that’s going to really stand out from the crowd. I’ve noticed a number of manufacturers are offering ‘sporty’ vans and am tempted by both...
I have owned my 2004 Ford Mondeo since new and until last year it never gave me any issues for complaint. However, with 130,000 miles on the clock, it has started breaking down and I’ve spent £1500 over...
I have been offered a deal buying a brand new, unregistered Audi Q3 2.0 TDI SE (177PS). The car has metallic paint, leather heated front seats and a load of other extras. The dealer wants £14,000, plus...
I am looking for a used MPV that’s cheap to run as a daily car. I have £2500 to spend and want something flexible, with the ability to fold away the seats and be used as an occasional camper, with fold...
I'm getting rid of my (reliable but thirsty) Ford Mondeo and need something reliable for a commute to work which is nearly 30 miles each way, with frequent heavy traffic.
My budget is about £4000, but...
I had a minor accident 10 months ago. It was my fault and my insurance company appeared to have sorted it out with no issues. However, I have just received a court summons to pay the other party's car...
The airbag light on my Ford Mondeo keeps flashing. Any idea what's the cause?
I'm looking to buy a reliable used estate or hatchback. I have approximately £4000 to spend, but want something that will have a good resale value to trade in for a newer car in February. I cover 300 miles...
What would be the legal status of a vehicle that is kept off the public highway, has no road fund licence (car tax), MoT, SORN or insurance? Also, when the DVLA make their regular updates, are they likely...
I need to replace the tyres on my five year old Mercedes ML500 that does around 6000 miles per year. It currently has 285/45/R19 on the rear and 255/50/R19 on the front. I would like winter tyres as we...
Three weeks ago I bought a 2001 Skoda Fabia from an individual who sells cars for a living. He doesn’t have a forecourt, but does have a website with multiple cars for sale. Since buying the Skoda I have...
I noted in an article in the newspaper that the Citroen XM was becoming a modern classic. I currently have a 2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi, which runs well and occasionally gives a few problems.
Although...
I have owned my 2000 Toyota Yaris Verso [119,000 miles] from new. It has always been serviced at the recommended intervals by either franchised dealers or trusted independents.
Just lately, when applying...
I will soon need to replace my Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Auto, which will be 11 years old shortly and has over 120,000 miles on the clock. I would much appreciate your advice in choosing a similar sized, fully...
We have a friend who is suffering from Parkinson's and his whole body has gone very stiff. He cannot bend his head/neck. He needs a car with tall door opening, but not too low seat that requires bending...
We have a 2007 MINI Cooper S convertible. At its recent MoT we were told the car has failed as both the headlight washers are not working. The probable reason given for the fault was "driving on bumpy...
I have identified three cars that meet our needs of automatic gearbox, ease of access, cruise control, aircon, economic petrol engine due to low usage (max 5000 miles pa). They are the KIA Venga, Ford...
I've just bought (not yet collected) one of the 'pre-launch' (January 2012) Renault Fluence ZE cars that have been offloaded into the dealer network and seem to have appeared in numbers in the last couple...
A change in circumstances means that my Mercedes-Benz E220 auto has to go. I have a budget of £9000 to source a decent spec automatic with enough boot space for a set of golf clubs and electric trolley....
I have a Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI DSG. I have just been on Twitter and a couple of forums and found out that problems are appearing in France and Denmark, and that Volkswagen have said DSG problems in Asia...
I have a 2009 Mercedes-Benz. Should the air conditioning be recharged?
With my financial assistance my grandson bought a 2003 Vauxhall Bora, 1.9 TDI, 113,00 miles, with warranty from a local dealer. It cost slightly under £3000 on 10 June 2013. My grandson is 18 and has been...
My Honda FR-V 2.2iCTDI, bought from a Honda dealer on 3 February 2013 with a warranty, broke down on the M25 two weeks ago. The engine began smoking and revving on its own, so we pulled over and switched...
My experience with an insurance company and its "preferred" repair garage illustrates why car insurance premiums are so high. Last year I had to make a claim for damage done to my car. The insurer's nominated...
I am considering exchanging my BMW X1 2.0 xDrive for one of the three variants (SE, Urban or Sport) of the 1 Series 120D 5door xDrive. I would appreciate your opinion on these 4WDs and whether 16-inch...
I have a 2010 Renault Clio Sport Tourer 1.5 DCI Dynamique. I would gladly replace it with another but am disappointed to learn that the Sport Tourer will not be available in the UK. Renault says there...
On a recent trip to France in my 17,000 mile 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280, I had the misfortune to get a puncture in the rear nearside tyre. The tyres are Pirelli 225/50 R16 92W. Fortunately, we were still...
Your correspondent RW, from Braintree is right to be disappointed with the lack of a spare wheel in his Ford C-Max and I am astonished at your apparent sycophancy to the manufacturers who perpetuate this...
The instructions that came with the battery charger I bought from Argos yesterday say 'disconnect the battery from the vehicle before charging, to avoid possible damage to the alternator'. That could have...
I have taken to phoning 101 (the nationwide police non-emergency number) on each of the many occasions when I spot a set of overhead signs which are clearly wrong. Is there an more effective way of getting...
I note the email on Saturday 20 July regarding the smell of stale smoke in cars. An old and tested way to rid a vehicle of smells is to place a saucer or some suitable container of malt vinegar in the...
Can you recommend a paint for a black soft top? Can't find a suitable product in the UK on the internet.
My daughter’s 2012 Skoda Citigo recently developed steering wheel judder when braking. She took it to a Skoda dealer who charged her £189 to replace pads and brake discs. The mechanic said that the discs...
I am undecided between buying a new automatic Nissan Qashqai or a Hyundai ix35 and would welcome your advice, drawing, perhaps, on knowledge you have of safety and reliability records. Even the Ford Kuga...
I retired in 2011 and purchased my 2009 2.0-litre diesel automatic Vauxhall Insignia Elite company car from my employer. It has now covered around 33,000 miles and is in need of new tyres (245/45 R18 96W)....
A change in circumstances means that my Mercedes-Benz E220 auto has to go. Much as I love the refinement it's completely the wrong car for the 5,000, mostly urban, miles I do each year. I have a budget...
My experience with an insurance company and their "preferred" repair garage illustrates why car insurance premiums are so high. Last year I had to make a claim for damage done to my car. The insurers nominated...
Please could you advise me in respect of an issue I have with my 14,000 mile 2010 Jaguar XF on 245/45 R18 Pirelli P Zero tyres, pressures 35PSI. These tyres are very noisy in the speed range 30-80mph,...
My wife and I are looking to change our Chevrolet Matiz, first registered in March 2010 and would welcome your suggestions as to a similar sized replacement. Important considerations include a width not...
I am considering exchanging my BMW X1 2.0 Xdrive for one of the three variants (SE, Urban or Sport) of the 1-Series 120D Sport 5door Xdrive. I would appreciate your opinion of these 4WDs and whether 16-inch...
I'd appreciate your advice about options a friend has when changing his car. He currently drives a 13-year-old Renault Grand Espace diesel with 150,000 miles on the clock. He has owned it from new and...
In 2010 you stated that "You only ever turn off the passenger airbag when fitting a rear-facing baby carrier in the front passenger seat." However, this advice is wrong. Please see here: www.cdc.gov/features/passengersafety/...
Many drivers may not realise just what powers the DVLA has. My driving licence expired on 16 July and I had applied for renewal online. The renewal has been refused because the after-effects of a migraine...
I note a RAC advertisement in this week’s Telegraph Motoring for used cars. It mentions a warranty - a minimum of one month supplied by the dealer. In your columns you continually remind readers that the...
Your correspondent in ‘Drain on Resources’ appears to be too simplistic in his views on independent garages and his preference to franchised dealerships. I have had some very bad experiences using dealerships...
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