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Questions from May 2014
Your latest email news letter indicated that you consider the Skoda Yeti to be a good cross over vehicle but under the good / bad icon there is long list of items to watch out for. I am actively considering...
My car is fitted with Michelin Energy Saver tyres. The road noise is considerable and tiring on a long journey. Can you suggest an alternative tyre?
A month ago I bought an 56 plate 55,000 mile Chrysler 300 estate for £7000. The car went to limp home mode last week and the local garage diagnosed swirl flap motor failure but will not fix it.
I returned...
Currently have a 2005 Ford Focus, It's great for commuting, but I want to upgrade to a newer model. Looking at about £5000 spend. What year/model should I look at or are there any alternatives?
I think I might go for a Skoda Yeti 1.2TSi SE. My annual mileage of 14k mostly is 11 miles a day so not many really low mileage trips. A good buy?
My Golf Mark VI 1.4 TSI had a new gearbox last year - the usual DSG problem gearbox. Since then, the ignition key refuses to come out of the ignition about half of the time. My garage insists that it is...
Can you tell me if failing fuel filters on the Kia Sportage is an ongoing problem?
What is differences between Lusso and veloce trim on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta?
I'm looking for a five seater car with enough room for two children. The two children are very young (the eldest is just one year's old) and I will be buying used with a budget of £5000-£6000. Do you have...
My BMW 3 Series 320D 2008 (72,000 miles) has just shown an increase in the oil level over the maximum. This is on the car's computer and not the dipstick which I have yet to check.
My driving consists...
The wife's Ford Focus is coming up for a change and we have been looking at a used Skoda Yeti or Ford Kuga. Both the reviews on your site are positive and we are struggling to choose between the two. Which...
I want to buy a new Audi, but can't decide between the diesel Q3 or A3. Which of these would you recommend as the best car in terms of running costs and low cabin noise?
The flasher repeater on the offside external mirror is not working on my 2010 Ford Focus estate. How do I fix it?
I had a brand new Audi Q3 (2.0 TFSI, manual) delivered in January. Since then, it has had a new gearbox at 1000 miles due to a stiff gearstick and the discovery of swarf in the gearbox. And now last week...
I am looking to buy a new SUV. I've looked at the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, but can't make up my mind. I need a petrol as I do 7000 a year - what do you recommend?
I have just bought a 2013 BMW 320D and after giving it a proper clean this weekend I have found a discoloured area about 12 by 6-inches in the centre of the roof. The car is silver in colour and the area...
I have received a scam email demanding money for parking on private land claiming to be sent from @justice.gov.uk, with threats of further consequences if not paid. It is clearly a scam but the elderly...
I was issued with a parking ticket recently. I briefly I parked in a rail station car park. There were no marked spaces in either of the two car parks but here was a space by a kerb alongside another vehicle....
My 17 year old son would like to renovate a 1974 Series 3 Land Rover; how do we find out what insurance group it will be?
I bought a new Ford Fusion in 2011 and covered 18,000 miles to date. However, recently it has developed a screeching noise when pulling away in first gear. The noise ceases when I change into second gear...
I paid a £500 deposit on an Audi A6 2.7 diesel Avant with 57,000 miles on the clock. I asked if the car could be taken to an Audi specialist nearby for a pre-purchase check, but they would not allow it...
I am planning to change my Honda Civic diesel for a newer Volkswagen Golf (Mk 6 or 7). As much as I might like to go for the GTi, I think may have to make do with a GT TDi or Tsi. I would still like to...
I am thinking about buying a Ford Tourneo Connect and would like your view on the best engine to choose. I will cover 12,000 miles a year, with occasional journeys of 350 miles. What do you recommend?
Why does the battery on my Peugeot 306 go flat when the car is left with nothing running? The battery has been checked and it's fine.
I am becoming increasingly concerned about potential problems with my Ford Mondeo's DPF. My 2008 car is used on weekdays on a 12 mile commute. The route involves lots of traffic lights apart a short motorway...
I have been told that I have to fit a particular model of reversing camera to my new motor home (as the motor home is already wired for this) and that it has to be fitted by the dealer I bought the motor...
When my Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 petrol is in neutral the rev counter is at around 2000rpm and the engine management light comes on. However, the revs go back to normal once I am driving, but go high again once...
Which is better as a used car for £15,000: a BMW 5 Series or a Volkswagen Passat for £15,000? Also, should I buy a petrol or diesel?
Following your advice, I filled up with Super Unleaded and was slightly disappointed to find I only got an extra 20 miles out of my 40-litre tank. I have filled up a second time, this time with Shell V-Power,...
My Volvo XC70 D5 (2010) Auto continually refuses to start. I have had a new fuel pump fitted, but the problem persists. The car is back with the dealer after being recovered yesterday. The engine turns...
I would like to ask what is the most suitable Vauxhall Corsa model for my 83 year old Father who is still a reasonable driver for his years. Diesels can be ruled out as most of his trips are of quite short...
My 2004 Honda CR-V has been very reliable and I have covered 106,000 miles. However, recently, the air con pump has started getting noisy and I have been forced to switch it off. My internet searches have...
Last October I parked at High Barnet London Tube station, like I always do, when I take my disabled son into great Ormond Street Hospital. The car park has only six disabled bays and if I am not lucky...
I recently purchased a used (2012) BMW X3 from a franchised dealer. The dealer confirmed in writing that the vehicle had a full service history and was maintained at their workshop. During the test drive...
Which of Range Rover Sport 2012 SDV6 and Touareg 2013 3.0TDI with air suspension will:
a) have least body roll on corners and undulating road surfaces, and
b) be most reliable?
We bought a used Ford Galaxy from a car supermarket recently, but noticed the car has no parcel shelf. After complaining, the car supermarket said they knew it was missing but it was our fault as we hadn't...
Recently while driving (mostly uphill) my SEAT Ibiza struggled for power. the problem has started to get worse and the car is now losing power on flat roads. Can you tell me what might be wrong?
I am planning to buy my 1st car as I have been renting cars for the past 5 years whenever I needed to go for a holiday or a drive.
I am looking for a second hand car and my budget would be 3000. I was...
I bought a Skoda Roomster 1.2TSi 105 bhp, which is a brilliant and versatile car. However, I noticed in a recent column that Volkswagen/Skoda have reverted to belt cam drives. Have technical problems occurred...
I know that you do not advise using winter tyres on only some of the wheels. However, would this also apply when it is not winter - we have 2 cars (a Kia Venga 1.4 petrol manual and a Volkswagen Transporter...
My husband is no longer able to drive. I am 75 years old and enjoy driving. We feel it is time to change our loved 2004 SEAT and are unsure what to consider. Would definitely want climate control and...
We live in a rural location and occasionally have to contend with snow. Would you recommend the xDrive version of the BMW 320d Touring, or are winter tyres good enough with the standard 320d?
I quite like my Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSI Elegance, but the low speed ride is abysmal. Is there a modern 5 door hatch available today that will ride anything like as serenely as my 1952 Jowett Javelin?
My wife's 59 plate Honda Jazz doesn't come with a spare wheel. Until recently this wasn't too much of an issue as she was only using for driving it around town locally. But we've moved and her daily commute...
I bought a new Mini Countryman Cooper S. Regrettably within the first week and with only 350 miles on the clock, the engine management system said there was a fault, the engine started running roughly...
Two weeks ago I bought an approved 2011 used Mercedes-Benz SLK and was told it had a full service history. I asked for the documents and eventually they provided them after a number of requests; however,...
I am planning to buy a Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 Exclusive 2007 model and the garage owner is ready to sell this car for £2700 with a full MoT and full year's road tax, plus three months RAC warranty. I was...
I bought a new Mazda a few years ago but it developed DPF problems as I only did about 7k miles annually and mainly short journeys. I want to buy diesel and do roughly similar mileage but I find most of...
I'm looking at a Hyundai Coupe TSIII. It's quite close to me and it looks good! I love the look of coupes, but this will only be my second car. Is this car worth it? Are there any other decent alternatives?...
My 2010 Porsche Cayman S has covered 17600 miles since new and is due it's second service next month, however due to commitments it has only covered 1100 miles since the last service in June 2012, would...
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