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Trending topics in March 2016
Questions from March 2016
I have an Audi A3 diesel (which I have been very happy with) and am looking to replace it with a new car later year. Is the government going to discriminate against diesel engines? Most small five-door...
I bought a 2008 Honda CR-V last week. The dealer assured us it has a full service history. It now transpires there is no service history. The garage want us to return the car and refund in full. However...
I've been offered a Ford Fusion 1.6 petrol auto (2009 model) by a dealer for £3500. Considering that Ford fusion is not produced for couple of years, could it be a good buy? Is there anything that I should...
I have the option of buying my company car - a BMW X3 2.0 diesel automatic for approx £20k. I have been extremely pleased with the car and it has been 100% reliable to date. I would intend to keep it for...
What should the cost be for a new catalytic converter for a 2003 Peugeot 206 CC?
We have a 2004 Skoda Octavia that has a developed battery problem. We eventually noticed that the radiator fan was intermittently running and this in turn was draining the battery overnight. The car did...
I want to buy a nearly new car. The Ford Fiesta seems an interesting proposition, but there is a considerable price difference between the 1.25 engines and the 1.0-litre EcoBoost. Which one would you go...
Three sets of new tyres in 12 months, tracking adjusted 3 times, new wish bones and bushes twice and still wearing. I can't afford to go on like this and can't afford another car. Any ideas?
A car crashed into the back of my rather old Toyota Hilux a few weeks ago. The other driver admitted liability and my insurer has written it off Cat D. I have been offered £2800 minus £350 for scappage....
I own a 2004 Skoda Octavia Scout. I've noticed that the TCS warning light has come on and stayed on. My local Skoda dealer has done a diagnostic check and says it needs new ABS control unit at £1321. Dealer...
I'm thinking of buying a 12 month old BMW X3. However, I've noticed that lots of the cars have 19-inch wheels. Is this a no-no when it comes to ride quality? I've driven an SE with standard 17-inch wheels...
My nine month old Volvo V40 is about to start on it's fifth driver's side genuine Volvo wiper blade. They work fine when new but soon leave a 4-5-inch strip that doesn't clear properly. It's right in my...
I plan to drive to/from Albania via Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Herzegovina/Bosnia, Serbia - not necessarily in that order because of boarder crossing restrictions between Serbia/Kosova. My fully-comprehensive...
I see you have links to discussions on and purchase of dashcams.
I just had some German friends visiting, and they noticed my dashcam. They mentioned this was not permitted in Germany, so I did some...
What are the change intervals for the cambelt on a 58 plate Citroen C2 1.4 VTR please? Mine has done 47,000 miles.
I am torn between a 2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 2.5 and a 2005 Nissan X-trail 4WD 2.5. I want to know which is more fuel efficient; a constant AWD like the Subaru or a car which the driver can alternate...
Our Toyota Verso D4D is now eight years old with 63,000 on the clock from new. We've had no problems but are thinking about changing it. We don't need seven seats or diesel anymore diesel, but do want...
I need a new(ish) family car. We have three kids (aged 13, 10 and 4) and the car must be economical, with lots of room in the back and decent ground clearance. My budget is around £13,000 and I don't want...
My (2009) Vauxhall Astra 1.6 diesel is currently has 225/50/r17 tyres. I want to change these to 225/45/r17 as they are much cheaper. Is this possible and also what issues will I face?
I own a 2011 Skoda Superb Estate 4x4 1.8 diesel. It has only done 40,000 miles but is using an excessive amount of oil. I have been in touch with Skoda UK they have suggested that I arrange for a diagnostic...
I understand there is a potential problem with the Golf Mk7 auto gearbox? My car shudders a bit as I pull away - is this curable?
Last week I bought a 57 plate Alfa Romeo Brera from an independent dealer. Since collecting the car I've noticed that the clutch is slipping. The three month warranty will not cover the repair. Does that...
My daughter needs a car with which to tow her horse box. She currently has a Toyota RAV4 Diesel but because her day-to-day mileage is low, she is having regular problems with the DPF. This has been replaced...
I am buying a new Octavia Estate. I am partially disabled. Are the accelerator and brake pedals adjustable for reach?
I'm buying a small 4x4 on behalf of elderly, country-dwelling relatives who are finding their Shogun too high to comfortably get in and out of and too clumsy for its occasional trips into town. Problem...
Today 23/03/2016 I got my BMW its MoT.
On checking the certificate it says a MoT took place on 05/08/2015.
However I only bought the car on 29/07/2015, so the above MoT never took place.
It now gives...
My Nissan dealer is to provide a loan car when mine is being repaired. They have requested my National Insurance Number. During these times of identity theft I wonder if it is government legislation...
I am looking to buy a Mazda 6 and have seen a 2009 deisel model for £7000 at a dealer with only 14,000 miles on the clock. The car is in immaclulate condition: is £7000 a lot for a 2009 car and should...
I have just bought a new Honda CR-V. The vehicle has two turbo-chargers giving the 1.6 diesel engine the same power as the diesel 2.2. I have read in your column that it is essential to allow the turbo-chargers...
About a week ago I bought a used car (2007 Honda CR-V) from a local car dealer. Yesterday the engine management light came on and having the car inspected at a local garage it appears there is a problem...
I am about to buy a new Mazda CX-5. It comes on 19-inch wheels. I like the ride of the lower spec version on 17s. Would it be reasonable to insist on the dealer to remove the standard size and replace...
I am looking to purchase a 2015 Ford Focus 1.5 TDCI with a Powershift automatic gearbox. Does this have a wet clutch or dry clutch powershift gearbox and is this a car you would recommend? I drive around...
When driving over speed cushions I note that most cars just drive straight over, hardly slowing down at all. However, this often means the inside of both tyres ride over the sides of the cushions. I thought...
I'm thinking about buying a convertible. I want a diesel, preferably an auto, up to about £4000. I have had a few BMW diesel cars in the past and I like the fact that they are reliable and have a cam chain....
I am looking for to buy a car similar size to the Vauxhall Corsa with back seats which fold flat and a low/flat tailgate to carry my two dogs. What do you recommend?
I recently collected my new diesel Ford Focus and am very pleased with it. However, when the engine is warm and particularly when the car is stationary I'm confident I can smell exhaust fumes in the cabin....
I have a Fiat Punto (2007 model) that has just failed the MoT because the boot will not open from the outside. I have to 'manually' open the boot from climbing over the back seats of the car and lifting...
When I start my 2012 Ford Focus, usually first thing in the morning, there is a strong engine fume/diesel smell for a few seconds that is quite overpowering. You can smell it inside and outside the car,...
I have just bought a 2007 Jaguar S-Type diesel and noticed a burbling sound from the cooling system. It usually lasts a couple of minutes then stops. The dealer says it is a common problem with S-Types...
I want to buy a car with good real world fuel economy. I quite like the Mazda 6, Skoda Octavia and BMW 3 Series xDrive. Which would you recommend?
My Nissan Note driver's seat causes appalling shoulder and neck pain. My previous Berlingo had a straight back to the seat and a high seating position. Do I have to buy another MPV or even a van to alleviate...
I want to replace my 2002 Honda CR-V petrol with the newer model. Should I go with petrol or diesel? I would buy a 2008/9 with 100k miles and would do about 10k miles/ year.
We are downgrading from two cars to one. We roughly do 7000 miles a year, split between short shopping trips to 200 mile plus round trips. We are not sure which would be best: a petrol Fiat 500, electric...
A friend is looking for a small cheap new car. They usually buy a new or pre-reg car costing around £6k car outright, but are being tempted by hire-purchase deals being offered on, say, a £7k car where...
I am looking for a Nissan note 2014 model, automatic. Which model is best, diesel or petrol?
My Audi A6 Allroad (2000 model) has a couple of issues. The first problem is with the gear selector indication light. Occasionally it lights up orange and looks as if all the gears are selected.
The...
I am looking for a 4x4 with good suspension (for off road/bumpy unmade roads), to tow a horse trailer - approx 2300kg weight gross (including two horses). It will also double up as family car, so it must...
I am a keen fan of the Ford Ka model. I believe it is due to be replaced later this year. So when would be the best time to negotiate a good deal in the showroom on the present model?
When I take my 2010 Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCI onto the motorway it goes into limp mode. I have checked the engine and found a lot of carbon like soot under the airfilter box and around the back of the engine....
I am looking to buy a Audi A3 Sportback sized car, which I will keep for five years and about 20K miles per annum. Is the Mazda 3 a good choice, and if so what engine?
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