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Trending topics in December 2013
Questions from December 2013
I am thinking of buying a 2012 KIA Cee'd 1, 1.6 diesel manual. My mileage is approx 8000 - 10,000 miles per year, roughly 50/50 short journeys and motorway. I have been told if once a week I do 50-60 mph...
I was most interested to read your advice to a BMW E53 X5 owner, suggesting having the engine inlet manifold swirl flaps removed. Because of a repetitive computer warning, my own 45,000 mile BMW 330d had...
The car market across Europe is struggling, yet when we go into the various dealerships in our area, all we get is total disinterest and told that the list price is the price. It is only if there is a...
A friend in Holland has a fully restored 1958 Porsche 356 fixed head coupe with right hand drive and may one day have to sell it. He has owned the car for about 40 years but has not driven it since emigrating...
I have seen you write about the merits of the Peugeot 2008, but it isn't possible to get Grip Control with the automatic version. The new Suzuki S-Cross has ALLGRIP and CVT in the 1.6 version. Are there...
Outward in my Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125, not being in a hurry, I took the AutoRoute Calais to Reims and then the Route Nationals (including some town driving) to Colmar where I filled up. My trip indicator...
I recently bought a 2006 Zafira 1.6, fully serviced. It idles perfectly and runs smoothly. I filled half a tank and at the first notch on the gauge it had done 50 miles, which meant with a total of four...
In February 2011 my wife purchased a 2005 Jaguar X-Type 2.0 D SE. The car had been a category D write-off (front end damage), but had been nicely repaired. She liked this car so much that she intended...
My 20-year old Mitsubishi 1.8i Space Runner automatic goes on and on like a faithful servant, but I fear replacement time will come next year. I wouldn't buy a diesel because of pollution but I am attracted...
I have had a most enjoyable nine years with my 11-year-old Saab 9-5 Aero Estate with not many breakdown problems. Recently while on holiday the Automatic Transmission warning light came on. After the initial...
We are thinking of changing our 2004 Golf 1.9TDI. We would like something of a similar size although petrol as we do a lot of short and medium trips with a fairly low annual mileage. I note from reading...
I have a new model Range Rover Sport 3.0d HSE Dynamic. I have to say I love it. I traded a Discovery 4 (amazing residual after three years) and recently sold my Cayman S. It fits perfectly between the...
I purchased a brand new Vauxhall Corsa 1.3CDTi on 07-09-2012. Since then it has been back in the garage five times due to DPF related problems. It has currently been in the garage for eight weeks waiting...
I am looking for an MPV that is economical to run as a daily use car (school run, work, holidays), can be used as an occasional camper or in which the seats fold flat to form a double bed, and the seats...
I recently moved into a new house and whilst I can drive my Jaguar into the garage I cannot get out of the car, the garage being only 8-feet wide. As I want to garage my car I have been trying to find...
I purchased a Volkswagen Touareg 3.0TDI new six months ago and am delighted with it, but on a steep hill in Argyll the vehicle runs away with me over the pre-set speed on 55mph. It was in the dealer’s...
I feel it's time to replace my 2007 Volkswagen Golf Plus DSG diesel. I've been very happy with it but am considering a change. What would you recommend of a similar size in a petrol engine? It will be...
Having now retired I shall be looking for a secondhand car that will carry four people and luggage occasionally but is not in the big car league. I require low tax and insurance if possible and a minimum...
My Fiesta with EcoBoost 100 averaged 48.5mpg on one long journey, while the on-board computer shows 37.4mpg overall, mostly on short local trips along fairly congested roads in suburban London. May I suggest...
The head gasket has apparently blown in my 2004 Rover 25 and I have been quoted £1140 for a new one and £700 for a second hand , but no guarantees. I am reeling! Is this a good deal?
My annual mileage is about 3000 a year.I prefer an automatic and am considering the Yaris Hybrid. Most of my journeys will be local 10/20 miles,and on occasions the vehicle will remain parked for a week...
Our 2009 Mazda BT50 3.0 automatic has covered just 24,000 miles, mostly towing up to its rated capacity. It now has a serious leak from the gearbox and an independent mechanic has diagnosed transmission...
I am about to take the plunge on a Mitsubishi Evo X - FQ 360. Is there any mechanical issues I should be aware of?
I live in Portugal where buying a new car is extremely expensive. Do you know a broker that can supply a LHD, preferably a BMW X3 or Honda CR-V ,for me to buy in UK and export to Portugal?
My daughter lives in Thailand and owns a 2012 Isuzu D-Max Highlander with a 3.0 litre engine and top spec leather seats, sat nav, reverse camera and 22-inch alloy wheels. It is 18 months old and an automatic....
I’m looking to buy a used car for my 17 year old son. I have about £9000 to spend and my son likes the SEAT Ibiza FR, Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa limited edition. Which of these do you recommend?
I have a 10 year old Ford Focus. It broke down recently and the AA came out and said the cam belt was broken. The car was towed to my local dealership/garage where I have the car serviced. The garage has...
My son commutes 50,000 miles per year, mostly on motorways. He currently has a 2004 Vauxhall Astra diesel estate, but as the mileage has racked up he is considering getting something else. He likes Fords,...
My friend was involved in an accident after another car hit him from behind. The driver took full responsibility and his insurance company gave him a van on lease. However, now the insurer want to take...
I bought a used Mazda 3 a few weeks ago from a Hyundai dealership - it was apart exchange. I have found out today from my (heroic) mechanic that the dual mass flywheel is breaking and due to the severity...
Any ideas on why he near side sidelights on a Renault Kangoo Van 2010 will not work?
I have received a parking fine for overstaying in a supermarket car park by 11mins - the car park is free for 1.5 hours. Is current best practice still not to reply or respond to the 'Charge' in any way?...
I need to get rid of three cars in favour of one estate vehicle to do both work (small plumbing jobs) and pleasure trips. I cover 6000 miles a year and want something economical. What do you recommend?
I own a 2010 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Bluemotion. The car turns over and starts, but then only runs for five seconds before stopping. I will then have to turn it over 15 times before it starts again. What’s...
Do I need to use a Volkswagen dealer for a first service to preserve my Passat's warranty?
I took my Ford Fiesta to a garage four months ago for some new tyres. However, I’ve found that the tracking is wrong and it has damaged the front tyres. I’ve since taken the car to another garage who have...
I own a 2012 Audi A5, but have suffered constant problems with the ‘side assist’ on the right hand side – it keeps going off on its own.
My local dealer told me to wait for software update - which came...
I need new tyres for my 2008 Honda C-RV EX diesel on 18-inch rims. Can you recommend a set that will give a quieter, more comfortable ride? Off road performance is not an issue.
I am considering a 2007 Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC ES from a private seller. Do you think it would be prudent to get a warranty and who are considered the best firms?
My Vauxhall Combo van is suffering from a loss of power and black smoke. The engine light is also on and no garages can solve the problem. I have a suspicion that the DPF is not doing what it should, can...
I bought a used Audi A4 saloon 2.0 TDI five months ago from a car supermarket. Two weeks ago the car developed a fault whereby the multimedia interface would turn itself off. I took the vehicle to my local...
Is it an offence to park outside the markings of a limited waiting bay when the yellow line outside of the bay is invisible?
My colleague's 2008 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi has suddenly developed a an awful smell inside. Carpets are clean and nothing has been dropped on them. Smell dissipates when blowers are on full blast. Any ideas?
I am interested in purchasing Goodyear Vector 4 Season tyres for my Fiat Doblo. Fiat’s tyre specification is 175 70 R14 T88 and I have been informed that Goodyear only make this size in T84. What does...
I own a 2011 Jaguar XF, but the ride quality and road noise are very poor from the low profile tyres. Is it possible to have normal road tyres fitted on the same 19-inch rims?
Want to buy a trustworthy car for city and weekend travelling. I have never had a diesel, so my preference is on petrol.
I have found two cars, but am a bit worried that the mileage is a bit high for...
Recently someone crashed into my car, which was parked on a residential street while I was at work. My insurer says there should be no dispute and it was not my fault. Because I do not have comprehensive...
I have just purchased a 1999 Vauxhall Vectra 2.5 V6. It was a cheap car that had a few problems, which have all been fixed apart from one – I can’t lock the doors. It looks like the car was broken into...
I bought a 3-series BMW estate from a car supermarket about 18 months ago. It was high mileage (80,000) but was only four years old with a couple of previous owners. However, since buying the car, I have...
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