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Trending topics in December 2013
Questions from December 2013
I have a 2008 KIA Sorento XS with 47,000 on the clock. I am looking to change, but have found that KIA cannot provide me with a new KX2 demonstrator to test drive. I am also somewhat wary of buying a Sorento...
Have you any views on the effectiveness of tyre repair kits? For example, how far and fast can one drive after using the product, and is any special skill needed? My own car, a 2012 Toyota Yaris, has such...
We are a retired couple doing only about 6000 miles a year, but we love the look of the Range Rover Evoque. Which one should we choose? It would be a manual by preference with five doors but we don't really...
Please could you explain to me why the electric car is deemed to be ‘pollution-free’? Charging a re-chargeable battery is a very inefficient process and the electricity used to re-charge it is subject...
I have a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg 2.5TDI with 30,000 miles, which has developed a transmission fault. Moving slowly up a gradient, the transmission seems to wind up with a loud clicking from near-side rear....
I wrote to you some time ago regarding the problem of purchasing a three-year service contract from a Honda dealer who subsequently ceased trading. Initially Honda (correctly) stated that it wasn't their...
My beloved 8-year-old MG ZR with 29,000 on the clock has been written off and I'm seeking a replacement 1.2 or 1.4, 3/5-door hatchback, made in Britain, up to £11,000 new or pre-reg. I've seen a Micra,...
Four month ago I bought a new Citroen C3 Picasso Exclusive and I must admit that it is an excellent car for my needs. I have a disability so appreciate the automatic box and cruise control. However, the...
My wife's car was a 1995 Mazda 323 with 70,000 miles with FSH and in good condition. She loved it, put a personalised number plate on it and had intended to use it until she is too old to drive. Now it...
I have a three and a half-year-old Hyundai i30 diesel with 60,000 on the clock. The franchised dealer who services the car is telling me that the coolant and pollen filter both need replacing at a cost...
The last time I took my Fiesta for a service at Dagenham Motors, Edgware I mentioned there was a slight vibration on the front wheels at 70mph. They later advised that the wheels were buckled and that...
About 18 months age I bought a Citroen C4 Picasso with an embedded satnav. Imagine my frustration when I found that it would only accept a partial postcode (the first five digits). That only gets me to...
I drive a 2003 Honda CR-V with 48,000 miles on the clock. I cannot achieve more than 28 miles to the gallon. I have tried four tanks of Shell V Power and still no improvement. It's proving expensive.
My daughter has a 2006 Mercedes-Benz 350 CLK auto with relatively low mileage. It's time for its £355 annual service from the main dealer, who has also recommended a transmission fluid check/replacement...
I have a 1996 Saab 9000 CSE 2.0 Eco 5-door manual that I wish to sell. It has 165,000 miles on the clock and a full service history. It's green with pale beige leather seats, has one year's MOT but is...
I recently changed from a BMW 530D, for which I had a set of alloys with cold weather tyres, to a Jaguar XF 2.2D and need a suitable set of wheels and cold weather tyres. The XF came on 245/40 R19s (it...
I read your FAQs about credit hire vehicles but would appreciate further advice. My son's motorbike was knocked over whilst it was parked. The car driver has admitted liability and there is one witness....
I have driven a Saab 9-5 Vector Estate 2.3t from new since 2002. I love the car and have put off changing it because I cannot replace it with another. What do I replace it with? Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi?...
My partner is currently suffering with lower back pain and finds our 2006 Peugeot 207 particularly uncomfortable. When we travelled back from Mallorca recently, she had no problems with the transfer coach...
My wife and I have recently moved house and need to consider whether or not to exchange our MX-5 for a small 4x4. We now live on an unadopted road and will be well within the snow line if future winters...
I conscientiously try to stick to the speed limits, but this seems to annoy many drivers who harass me by tailgaiting and making obscene gestures. Can you tell me where I can get one of these licences...
I drive a 2002 Volkswagen Golf TDi PD. It's quite an old car, but it suits me. I have done 257,000 miles and its still on the original clutch. Would this be a record?
We own a 2005 Volkswagen Golf TDI 130 estate with 67,000 miles and a 2005 Fiesta Style Climate with 45,000 miles, both with full dealer service history in silver, in excellent condition. Now in retirement,...
We are about to change cars and would like a good-looking coupe four-seater with comfort and a bit of luxury, petrol engine and manual gearbox. I am 80 and my wife is 70 and nowadays the majority of our...
Information on your website for the Jaguar XK 1996-2006 model states that there is "no easy means of checking 5-speed auto box oil level or refilling it”.
Jaguar says 'sealed for life', but no oil changes...
I am a single female and wish to buy a used, small four door car with possible all-wheel drive option. I cover about 10,000 miles per year, but want something reliable, with low running costs and lots...
The power steering pump (PSP) has failed on my wife's 2004 MINI. I understand that this is a common problem and my local dealer has refused to offer any goodwill payment as the work was carried out by...
I have just purchased a Ford Fiesta and as you are probably aware you don't get a spare wheel. The tyres on it now are 195/50 R16 and was wondering what size spare I should buy?
Is it ok to fit non run flat tyres to my 2009 BMW? I want to fit four winter tyres.
My 2008 Volkswagen Golf has a chain cam, which the dealer says will last the lifetime of the 1.6 engine. Is this true?
My friend has a 2004 Nissan Micra, but the driver’s door locks itself. It has now got so bad that she has to climb over the passenger’s seat to get in and out. She has tried to use the remote button on...
I used my Mazda 6 for a journey back from the continent and during the trip one disk pad wore out. There is now a deposit of steel powder on the alloy wheel which I can't remove. Can you suggest how?
Seen a three year old Volkswagen Golf with low mileage. Can you tell me what I need to do to check it hasn’t been in an accident?
My 2008 Ford Mondeo is making a humming noise at the back. The frequency of the noise increases with speed. Tyres are Goodyear 215/55 R16s. Is this road noise or something more serious?
Rather than the 'gunk' kit for punctures I would much prefer a steel spare or space saver wheel. I own a 2008 Ford Fiesta with 195/45/R16s. What are the size options for steel rims?
My 2005 Ford Mondeo is starting to judder under acceleration in 4th and 5th gear. It is also making a screeching noise; any idea what’s going wrong?
I am looking for a comfortable car with good fuel economy for my 80-mile commute on motorway. I have £12,000 to spend; what do you recommend?
The driver door on my 1995 Peugeot 306 does not lock under central locking. I can lock it manually, but when locking the rest of the car from the passenger door the central locking enables and immediately...
I have £8000 to spend on a used car and have been toying with a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg, with 92,000 miles on the clock. However, my friends say this will be a bad idea as the running and repair costs...
Our 2006 Honda Civic 1.8i has started to judder when pulling away at normal revs. It happens at 1500rpm (six miles per hour) but is not noticeable at higher revs. Does this indicate the clutch needs replacing...
I'm looking to buy an automatic MPV, but am undecided on what used car to buy. The choice is between the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.4i turbo or the Ford Grand C-Max Powershift. As I do not do many miles...
Can you tell me what are the tags for on the rear seats of a 2006 Vauxhall Astra?
My Ford focus has just developed an intermittent fault with the ABS/ESP warning lights. The symbols illuminated continuously whilst driving, even though there’s no reason for them to come on.
The car...
With all the trouble that is being reported with diesel waxing up this year - what diesel do you recommend?
When accelerating to overtake, the engine of my Jaguar X-Type 2.0 diesel cuts out without warning. The power steering dies and the engine stalls, forcing me onto the hard shoulder to restart the car. The...
I own a 2009 Ford Focus and I understand that you recommend 16-inch wheels for a more comfortable ride. I am an elderly driver and am not bothered about the looks, so want to replace my 17-inch wheels....
I want to buy a small car for my daughter. I have a budget of £4000 and she’ll need it for rural and city driving. I’m considering the Honda Jazz, but can you recommend anything else?
I have sourced a spare set of 18-inch alloys for my Hyundai iX35 (did consider 17s, but found them hard to source). I now need to sort out the winter tyres - size is 225/55/18/98H - for which there are...
I’ve found a used car I really like, but it still has outstanding finance. Should I buy it or walk away?
I have a job which requires 30,000 miles of driving per year. I have £11,000 to spend and have no family, so am considering the Honda CR-Z - with the hope that the hybrid would allow a reasonable return...
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