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Trending topics in September 2013
Questions from September 2013
While parked in a supermarket car park my car was run into by another car reversing out of a parking space. The woman driver apologised, admitted liability and offered to pay my repair costs rather than...
My fiancee has a van which he wants to sell through “we buy any van”. He just wants rid of it so just wants a quick, no hassle sale. My question is whether we can drive it to the centre without tax or...
Your real mpg lists at www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg make very interesting reading. I note that the real mpg values for the 2003 Avensis and the 2009 Avensis are almost the same (1.8 engine), yet the later...
Our 2002 Renault Scenic 1.6 automatic has clocked exactly 45,000 miles. On a recent motorway journey of 150 miles I decided to check the economy and was horrified to find it was only 26mpg. We only use...
My husband is on his third Mercedes-Benz ML. His current ML350 is now three years old and he is starting to look for his next car. He thinks this ML350 has been his best car ever - we use it for family...
I agree absolutely that no-one should be penalised for falling asleep in a motorway service area and overstaying their 'Welcome Break’. The practice of setting a time limit for parking and then imposing...
The original tyres have perished on my April 2012 Suzuki SX4. A report prepared by Kwikfit states that the tyres were manufactured in week 33 of 2010. They were described as badly perished and immediate...
I have a 5-door 2007 RAV4 diesel with 24,000 miles on the clock, only because the fantastic 3-door versions are no longer made. We are looking to replace this in the next six months. I do around 6000 miles...
Asking price for 2010 Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI Elegance DSG with SatNav, leather upholstery, spare wheel, front and rear parking sensors and park assist with a mileage of 23,000 is £14,995 from a Skoda franchise...
I am looking to buy either a new Ford Fiesta or Honda Jazz from a local dealer. I just want a base model with no fancy extras as I don't do a lot of miles, just local trips. I don't need finance and have...
I have a 2011 Land Rover Defender 110, which I use on my farm and local journeys and a 2009 Honda Accord, which is used only about five times a year for long-distance trips. Service, tax and insurance...
My girlfriend is very keen to purchase a Fiat 500 Lounge. She will cover 12-14,000 miles a year of which two-thirds will be motorway commuting, the rest city driving. I am not sure which engine is best...
I'm thinking of buying a Mazda 6 Tourer, but the auto version that I want is only available with a diesel engine and 19-inch wheels. Have the DPF problems been sorted and is the ride ok on these wheels?
I have just bought a 2002 Ford KA for my soon-to-be 18 daughter and wonder what insurance company you could direct us to. I realise that the premiums are going to be steep but would like to mitigate the...
I am the owner of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Saloon, with the performance pack and uprated brakes. I have only owned the car a few months and, last week, I noticed a very slight wheel wobble when gently...
I am looking to buy a new Honda CR-V or BMW X1 and would like to know if there is a significant difference between modern metallic and non-metallic paints. The last time I bought a new car with non-metallic...
I have a Citroen C5 Tourer that is blowing a headlight bulb every two weeks. Also, I find the car extremely uncomfortable with a lack of under thigh support on the right side.
I bought a used Land Rover Discovery 3 for £9000 recently. The advert stated that warranty covered the clutch and other components of the car, which was one of the main factors in my buying it. A few weeks...
Can you tell me if there are any technical or DPF issues relating to the Alfa Romeo 159?
My Nissan Note spent two months at a local garage having a new catalytic converter fitted. During that time I was forced to use a hire car, at my own cost. However, since my car was returned, I have discovered...
I was parked in a public pay and display car park when a car reversed into the space next to me. Once the car had stopped (and the engine had been turned off) a child of about six hit my car with the rear...
Is it the responsibility of our local dealer to recover our car if it breaks down? Our two year old Fiat 500C suffered a power steering failure last week and the dealer has said it’s our reasonability...
I bought a used 2009 Volkswagen Golf a few months ago. The salesman who sold me the car failed to mention that, when the car turns four years old, it will need a new cam belt/water pump at a cost of £500....
My Mazda MX5 was scratched down the driver’s side in a car park by another car. I reported it to my insurer and following the assessor’s inspection it has been written off as a Category D. The value has...
I’m looking to buy a used car and am considering either a Ford Fusion or a Fiesta, circa 2003-2004. I've read that the Fusion is more practical, but the extra weight makes it perform poorly with the 1.4...
Which small car (Fiesta size) has the softest suspension and a long enough wheelbase to cope with speed bumps?
I've placed an order for a new Audi Q3 TFSI, but need advice regarding paint. I’ve been given two choices: Brilliant Black (gloss black, non-metallic, no extra cost) or Phantom Black (pearlescent black,...
My 19 year old son has just got a new job that involves driving high mileage. He needs a new car with a large boot, good fuel economy and low insurance. What do you suggest?
We are a family of five searching for a used car that will be cheap to run and insure. It must have three point seat belts in the back for all three seats and not be too large. Can you recommend any MPVs...
I'm considering buying a used Land Rover Defender.
The vehicle will be used only for short drives and I was wondering how much I should look at paying for a nice used example? Also what other similar...
Do you have all of the technical service bulletins relating to turbo failure on the 2004 Ford Focus? The turbo on my car has failed and I am putting together information for my local garage.
I'm looking to buy a car for my large 21 year old rugby playing son. It must be safe on motorways and able to cope with two or three passengers. We’d also prefer the car to be cheap to insure and run....
I bought a new Hyundai ix35 a few months ago from an authorised dealership. As part of the deal, I had front parking sensors fitted by the dealer, as they’re not standard Hyundai parts. However, upon collection...
Can you recommend a small, comfortable car that would allow easy access for a five foot disabled person? The car must be practical, with a good load space as it’ll need to carry a motorised three – wheeled...
The engine system fault light keeps flashing on my 2009 Land Rover Discovery 3. I have spent hundreds of pounds at the main dealer (fuel filter suspected and changed but no improvement) and have had it...
My local garage is a Ford specialist, but not an authorised dealer. I am considering buying a new Focus/Fiesta/B-Max through this garage, but the owner is sceptical about the EcoBoost engine. The owner...
Can you tell me which used cars are the most reliable? I have £8000 to spend and want to buy a saloon with four doors.
Last year I bought a Volkswagen Polo from an authorised dealer. The car was an ex-demonstrator and had just 7000 miles on the clock. Over the past few months the car has been suffering from a number of...
I have recently retired and want to buy a new Volkswagen Golf. I cover 14,000 miles a year and want a model that’s cheap to run and comfortable to drive. I’ve tested the 1.6 diesel, but can't make up my...
We are looking to buy a 4x4 for our two mile school run. We are keen on a BMW X3, but have heard that short trips are not good for diesels due to the DPF blocking. Is two miles too short a journey for...
We are soon to go to Spain on holiday and have bought a package, which includes car hire and insurance. I have heard of some scams being employed by foreign insurers and am worried I’ll get ripped off....
I want to improve the ride on my Jaguar X-Type. The obvious choice would be to the replace the 225/40/18 tyres with something a bit fatter to soften the ride. Which wheels and tyres would you suggest?...
Can you tell me which cars are the cheapest for parts and servicing?
I am looking for a used car following the recent theft of my reliable Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi. I have £11,000 to spend and want something that’s reliable and comfortable. Another Mondeo would seem the obvious...
I have recently traded a 2005 Renault Clio for a Ford Focus from the same year. After a few days running the Focus I noticed that it is leaking oil and overheating. I have tried to return the car, but...
Can you tell me if the average fuel consumption figure displayed by my car's on-board computer is correct? I’ve read a lot of reports that claim official fuel consumption figures not matching up to real...
I am thinking of replacing my 2001 BMW 530d with either the new 330d or a used 2008/2009 M3 saloon. I do 20,000 miles a year of motorway commuting mixed with sporty rural driving at weekends. Which would...
I’m thinking of buying a left hand drive car and registering it for use in the UK. Can you tell me if it would pass the 'headlight alignment' part of the MoT test with the type of stick-on beam deflectors...
I am looking to replace my Hyundai Getz with something bigger. My local dealer has offered a 2008 Ford C-Max with 50,000 miles for £3250, plus my Getz. Another dealer has recommended a 2010 Renault Megane...
I want to buy a new or used MPV. I have £12,000 to spend and have narrowed my choices down to:
Peugeot 5008 1.6 THP
Ford Galaxy 2.0 EcoBoost (2010)
Ford S-Max 2.0 EcoBoost (2010)
Which car would you...
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