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Trending topics in May 2015
Questions from May 2015
My headlamp lenses are becoming opaque. You set out how to deal with this and appropriate products. Can you kindly let me have this advice please?
What would be a better buy a brand new Passat R Line 190PS diesel or a nearly new(only 980 miles on the clock) Audi A4 177PS Line?
I currently own a BMW 320d M Sport Estate and find that my youngest daughter is travel sick. Is there a better car to limit this? I'd want something premium not a MPV and something cost 20-30k less than...
I have had my Honda Civic for four years, from new. It has done 26,000 miles. In that time the tyre deflation warning light has come on about a dozen times - and there was never anything wrong with the...
My car is a Toyota Yaris from 1999 and has done 119,000 miles. The car has a few minor issues/noises - the wheel bearing on the driver front wheel has gone and so when I turn right it squeals. There is...
I intend to lease a new Audi Q3 and am considering either the petrol 1.4 TFSI S tronic or the diesel 2.0L TDI both 150PS. I am concerned that the 1.4L engine may lack power compared to the diesel but also...
My brother is considering buying a brand new or max two year old petrol Ford Focus with a 1.0L EcoBoost Engine (Manual Transmission).
Are there any other petrol cars you can suggest with a small turbo...
I have a 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec. Since yesterday my car won't start unless I apply my foot to the accelerator and my petrol gauge also flickers up and down when trying to start my car. This has only been...
Looking to spend £5K on a used Rio, covering 10K to 12K miles per year. Would you recommend the 1.4 petrol or 1.5 diesel? Never owned diesel before and don't want to get into costly DPF issues etc but...
Hi We have a Vauxhall corsa 1.2 16v 2005 48,000 miles. Had a misfire and traced it to a valve rocker that had come off the hydraulic tappit and partially jammed one inlet valve open. Found that the cam...
I have previously owned a 2004 BMW 530d which was very a reliable car. I had to remove EGR valve a couple of times and clean it with carburettor cleaner.
I now have a F31 335d, will I be able to clean...
I've just spent two weeks driving around Texas in a hired new Kia Sorento petrol automatic 7 seater and was very impressed with it, so much so that I'm considering buying one.
However, in Britain this...
Hi, a few weeks ago we were in Blackpool to see my niece in a show, as we were leaving Blackpool I noticed smoke coming from the back of the car, considering it never smokes I was naturally concerned....
I have a Toyota iQ bought new in November 2009. It has done 28500 miles. The gearbox has recently developed a fault where it grinds changing between 2nd and 3rd. Apparently the synchromesh has gone. I...
I am three quarters through finance agreement with MINI on a Countryman Cooper D All4, but need more boot space for four small dogs and preferably better than 50mpg. Looking at Skoda Yeti, Roomster, Fabia...
I am a volunteer with Citizens Advice and when researching for a client found this page of advice on the public Citizens Advice web site. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/professional-and-financial-services/insurance/types-of-insurance/vehicle-insurance/vehicle-insurance-if-the-accident-wasn-t-your-fault/
I...
I have a Kia Cee'd, 1 spec, 1.6 diesel, 62 reg, with 15-inch wheels and do 7,000 miles a year. I am thinking of changing to a Kia Cee'd, 2 spec, 1.6 petrol, 14 reg, with 16-inch wheels. Reasons for changing,...
What's the best/most reliable diesel automatic under £5k?
Gearbox linkages need replacing, there used to be a source in USA but that appears to have dried up. Do you know of any gearbox engineers who may do this or suggest alternative solution. Currently the...
What is your opinion of the hatchet job in last week's Sunday Times on diesel cars in general, and the Mazda6 in particular. Should we abandon diesels and go back to petrol before the market is destroyed...
Which makes the better nearly new buy: skoda octavia 1.4tsi or ford focus 1.5 ecoboost? I'm looking for the best combination of performance, economy and reliability. I've read that the Ford doesn't deliver...
As a trader I bought a car from BCA live online. The car arrived and is not as described on the appraisal sheet. BCA grade the cars from 1-5 and also include a brief description of damages, where they...
My timing belt snapped while being fixed by friend of a friend. He phoned saying it wouldn't start, could he have started it while in gear, or done something, as I'm now having to pay best part of £1k...
when will the new Jaguar petrol engine be fitted to the new model and will the emissions and Ved be the same as the Ford based engine.
Thanks. J Steel
while i drive my diesel car with windows open i start to feel ill experiencing fatigue and headaches. I dont know if this is usual of diesel vehicles and it is a 2009 diesel not one of the older vehicles....
In March 2014 at 36,000 miles the EGR valve failed on my Skoda Superb and was repaired under warranty. In May 2015, the EGR valve has failed again at 67,000 miles. Is there a problem with these EGR valves...
I have a 2011 Skoda Octavia vRS TDI (170 CR)Manual Hatch which I have owned car since new. It has now covered 102k (almost) trouble-free miles. I am now doing approx. 20k a year, and wondering whether...
lucky enough to be able to choose !
which would you recommend between Porsche boxster S & Mercedes SLK 55 AMG ?
any o0thers to consider at this price ?
thanks for your column .. always interesting reading...
I have had to have the clutch replaced on my Ford Focus. The car is just under two years old and had done 18,988 miles. I have driven for 35 years and never had to replace a clutch. I have reported...
My friend has just been offered a 2007 Ford Fusion 1.6 automatic with 50,000 miles on the clock for £2800. Are these cars good? Is this a good price? Her last car was a Honda Jazz 1.4 automatic.
I’m looking for a replacement for my Vauxhall Zafira 1.8. I like its high driving position, its luggage capacity, its seating versatility and the audio controls on the steering wheel. However, it’s rather...
Five months ago I bought a 2003 MINI Cooper from a dealer. The car was sold with 12 months warranty and last week the gearbox failed. The dealer isn't interested in paying for the repairs and says it's...
Which petrol estate is better - a Skoda Octavia vRS or a Ford Focus ST? Also after I buy one of them would it be worth putting a chip to get more PS and torque?
My Toyota Verso keeps jumping out of gear. The car is a manual diesel and it usually pops out of fifth gear. How can I fix this? Is it likely to be an expensive fault?
Which small petrol crossover do you recommend - FIAT 500X, Renault Captur or Peugeot 2008?
I'm thinking of buying a new Sandero Stepway; however, I've been told that Dacias suffer with rust problems. Is this true?
My local dealer agreed to investigate the loud ticking noise that my 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate makes for five minutes after the engine is switched off.
The noise seems to come from the bottom...
I have scratched the plastic painted surface immediately behind the tow bar on my BMW X5. My local dealer has quoted £600 to repaint a small section. Can you advise on an alternative?
Is the 2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost 125PS manual version fitted with a dual mass flywheel?
My Skoda Yeti has done 70,000 miles and a short time ago a vibration could be felt when accelerating between 2000 and 2500rpm in any gear. There is no noise that accompanies the vibration.
My two local...
My daughter is looking to buy a 2007 Alfa Romeo 159, can you tell me if the diesels are reliable?
The Peugeot 2008 1.2 PureTech 110 petrol finally appears to be available - would it be better (quieter and more economical) on 16 or 17-inch wheels?
I am looking to buy a second hand car for £6000, preferably four or five-door, automatic gearbox, preferably leather seats, something smart but not expensive to run. Could you please recommend a suitable...
My 2005 SEAT Leon's climate control has been playing up recently and only blows on re-cycle, not on auto. Could this be related to the outside temperature sensor? I think this is faulty as it's showing...
Which car is most reliable – Kia Venga, Renault Captur or the Hyundai ix20? I do about 6000 miles a year and need something that's reliable, with an automatic box and a petrol or diesel engine. Can you...
I'm looking to upgrade my 2009 petrol Nissan Qashqai+2 to a Honda CR-V. Which CR-V engine is the best, considering I do around 15,000 miles a year for work and family outings.
I am looking to buy a used car. I have just passed my test month and I am 22. I need something for lots of motorway miles, with decent economy and low insurance. What do you recommend for £1000?
I am nearing retirement and will be giving up my diesel all-wheel drive Ford Kuga. I cover around 5000 miles per year and need a smallish petrol 4x4 to tow my 1000kg caravan.
I would like Skoda Yeti 1.8TSi...
I own a Honda CR-V diesel (2008 model). When I turn the steering wheel at slow speeds the car judders. Any idea why this might be happening?
My Porsche 944's horn has suddenly stopped working. I have checked the relays and have even replaced both horns but still no noise. Any ideas what I should try next?
Also, after sitting over the winter,...
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