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Trending topics in October 2016
automatics
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fuel economy
hybrid
insurance
legal and consumer advice
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volkswagen emissions scandal
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Questions from October 2016
I am thinking of buying an Audi A4 3.0 TDI auto, but have been told that there have been terrible problems with Audi auto gearboxes and that the trade won't touch them. Is this true?
My Peugeot 407 (automatic) is stuck in third gear. When I move the gearshift from drive to manual the display refuses to show which gear I'm in. Any idea what's wrong?
My insurance renewal (Nov 2016) includes windscreen cover. My excess is £90 for replacement and £10 for repair. Would it be better just to opt out of this cover and if the worst happens pay for a new windscreen.
I returned my four year-old 89,000 mile Volvo V70 back to the dealer last week. The car was on contract hire and the assessor pointed out a small handful of minor scratches, but said none of them contravened...
My sister-in-law wishes to replace her Fabia Estate with a similar sized automatic car, that can take golf clubs. Her budget is £14k and would also like SATNAV, air-con, electric windows etc. Would you...
My wife does 200 miles to work in a week and takes M25, she was caught on a speeding camera doing 65 mph in a 50mph zone. M25 has variable speed limit with max 70mph and then changes to 50mph in between...
Not so much a question as an endorsement. Just fitted a set of MichelinCross Climate Tyres to my wife's 2008 Honda Jazz. what a difference in the ride quality, the in-cabin noise and refinement. The previous...
Hi, I have an Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI auto on order for delivery in November. I suspect the delivery may slip into December. Given that the car will have a 66 plate will I lose less money at trade in if I delay...
We have had the i10 from new. Serviced by main dealer for first three years and this year by a reputable local garage. The Master cylinder has failed, took it to main dealer since car under 5 year warrantee....
I bought a Volkswagen Golf GTD from an independent dealer recently. On the journey home I found that the navigation and cruise control didn't work. The seller offered £200 towards the costs of having the...
Bit of a Novice question, I have a 2013 Mazda 6 Automatic.
Is it normal to feel the gear change with this automatic, my car changes gear fine and seems to always be in the correct gear, but I can feel...
Is the 1.4TB engine driving experience comparable to the Multiair but slower?
I have read that there have been a number of faults with Audi automatic gearboxes. Can you please let me know if these faults are still to be found in cars built from 2014 on wards?
I was about to buy a 2013 BMW 116d when I noticed the dealer also had a 2013 Audi A3 2.0 TDI for a little more money and 10,000 more miles than the BMW.
Both cars don't have too many faults reported on...
Please advise on the best winter tyres for the F-Pace (I live in Highland Perthshire - like everyone - up a hill).
I'm after an everyday SUV that will be able to tow a trailer and a large jet ski. The car must be large - capable of carrying four adults - and feature an automatic gearbox. I have shortlisted the Volkswagen...
I was thinking about buying a 2013 or 2014 Subaru XV 2.0i but have heard about a large class action lawsuit in the US against Subaru concerning excessive oil consumption. Have there been any complaints...
The footwells of my BMW 5 Series (2010 model) fill with water whenever it rains. Any idea what's causing this to heppen?
My daughter's 2009 Volkswagen Golf has broken down four times in recent weeks and on each occasion it refuses to start. Our local garage has replaced the CAN unit and also cleaned off 60 circuits on the...
I want to buy a used Audi quattro 3.0 diesel automatic. I can't decide between the A5 and A7. Can you please tell me the pros and cons of each car, to help with my decision?
I'm thinking of buying a used (three or four years old) Fiat 500 with a petrol engine. However, each one I have enquired about appears to have been serviced once after three years, or about 18k miles....
My partner is a delivery driver by trade. He was working on a Saturday and had my daughter out in the van with him. When going through a small village he witnessed a man (on his own) fall off his bike...
I'm a disabled driver. I'd like a new SUV or MPV with a sliding driver's door. Can you help me find what I'm looking for?
My Ford Fiesta 1.6 diesel has lately started to make a grinding noise when hitting small bumps in the road. It sounds like the floor of the car is scraping the road. It also seems to look a bit low on...
I have a Vauxhall Viva (2015 model) which I have owned from new. Within seven months of ownership, the oil light came on after 8900 miles. I was told the car simply needed an oil filter change. As a result...
I bought a used (2009 model) Ford Kuga diesel about six months ago. Since then, I've had to take it back to the dealer several times as the power intermittently cuts out. The car is still under warranty...
I have a budget of around £18k for a second hand family estate, I am looking for a premium build and lots of tech. For that money I am looking at 2015+ Mazda 6, Ford Mondeo or 2014+ Mercedes-Benz C220....
I will be getting a brand new car in December. With all my previous cars I have changed the oil and filter every six months (annual mileage 8K). Should I continue this practice or will an annual change...
I'm trying to purchase all-season tyres for my Mazda 2 (2011 model). Mazda's recommended tyre size is 185 55 R15 82 V. The Michelin website says Cross Climates won't fit my car. Should I fit Goodyear Vector...
I have 2007 Renault Grand Scenic 1.9 diesel automatic and want to upgrade. I have budget of £10-£12K. Was thinking of Toyota Avensis or Volkswagen Passat. Any recommendations?
I own a 2012 Mazda 3 with a 1.6-litre diesel engine. Recently a warning light came has come on, stating that the oil level is too high. A local mechanic tells me this is something to do with the DPF regeneration....
I'm looking for a medium-sized, five-door hatchback. I have £9000 to spend and do 10,000-12,000 miles per year, half of which are on motorways. Can you offer any advice as to which cars I should look at?...
I am looking for a used seven-seater with a petrol engine and automatic gearbox. I'm split between the Nissan Qashqai+2 2.0 and the Toyota Verso 1.8. Both up to year 2012 or older. Which would you choose?...
I took out a new van insurance policy last month, but forgot to tell them about a past claim for a lost set of keys. The claim was a couple of years ago, but the insurer is demanding an additional £120....
I bought a used (2007 model) MINI Cooper from a local dealer 10 months ago. The car has been great until now. The yellow (EML?) warning light has come on and my local garage has diagnosed it as a timing...
I'm looking to buy a new car to replace my ageing Toyota Avensis saloon. My commute is around 300 miles per week and I'd like a five-door saloon, with a few mod cons - sat nav, Bluetooth etc - and low...
Do you know where is South wales, near Cardiff, I could purchase a 16-inch steel wheel with four holes for attachment to my Chevrolet Aveo 1.4LTZ hatchback?
I purchased a used Volkswagen Caravelle eight months ago for £23,000 from a large specialist dealer. The car has one previous owner and has covered 73,000 miles on the clock. The dealer included a 12 month...
My Kia Picanto has developed an intermittent starting problem. It has had two new crankshaft sensors in the last six months. The sensor was initially replaced after the car wouldn't start at all. Checks...
I want to replace my Honda Jazz with a similar-sized hatchback;however, I want a petrol automatic with decent performance. I don’t fancy a CVT gearbox and my preferences are: Mazda 2, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai...
My wife would like a new small automatic hatchback. She really likes the Honda Jazz but has test driven one and finds it to be too slow. What would you suggest we look at that is practical, easy to drive...
We are looking to buy a used SUV with four-wheel drive. We don't plan to do serious off-roading, but will use the vehicle for ski trips to the mountains. As a result, the car must be comfortable for motorways...
We are looking to buy a new compact seven-seater and have narrowed our choices down to the Volkswagen Touran 2.0 diesel DSG and the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.6 diesel EAT. I am leaning towards the Touran...
I have owned my Volvo V50 since I bought it new in 2012. The car runs fine, but I am retiring soon and wondering if it is a good car to keep for long term reliability. To date it has been dealer maintained,...
I bought a six month old Ford S-Max from a dealer in 2011. The car had 6000 miles on the clock when I bought it and has been regularly serviced ever since. This week - at 44,000 miles - the car blew a...
My wife's DS3 is now two years old with 3600 miles on the clock. After 12 months of ownership, she took it to a local Citroen dealer and they did a standard service. But now, after another 12 months, and...
I have two Mercedes-Benz cars: a 2003 S-Class and a 1995 SL. The S-Class developed rust on the front wings recently and I attempted to have the car fixed at my local dealer (for free, as part of the car's...
I own a diesel Vauxhall Astra (2005 model). When driving, the car judders as it pulls away and makes a knocking noise. The sound and judder stop when I push the clutch in. Any idea what could be wrong?...
I have to replace all four tyres on my 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 EcoBoost. It currently has 215/55 R16 tyres. What would you recommend?
I bought a 2012 Volkswagen Passat two weeks ago from an independent dealer. I took it to a Volkswagen dealership today to replace the cam belt (it has 80k on the clock) and have been told the front discs...
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