Questions from April 2020
Our Hyundai Tucson PCP deal is up later this year and post-Coronavirus, I can see the benefits of buying British. Recognising that being assembled in the UK may not mean the parts are from the UK, can...
I have a 2015 Golf 2.0 TDI that has done 35,000 miles and been serviced by Volkswagen since new. I've owned the car for 13 months. I've noticed the battery is losing its charge. It is normally driven on...
I'm currently driving a 2013 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2-litre. I'm doing about 1000 miles a month and it's costing me about £200 in petrol. I have a five-year-old and a dog and we spend most of our time on the...
The clear plastic headlamp covers on my Toyota Yaris have become hazy with age. What product should I use on it?
I check my tyre pressures each week and have discovered a very slow puncture on one of my BMW 320i front tyres. They are BMW-approved run flats. I know run flats are not meant to be repaired and I understand...
I'm concerned about attaching my CTEK CT5 battery charger to my cars with the battery still connected to the car in case the charger fries the ECU. I've searched the internet and even phoned BMW directly...
I have the new Toyota RAV4. I want to keep the 12v battery trickle charged during lockdown. I have a 10amp CTEK charger. Should I be charging the battery on the standard setting or AGM? I can't see which...
Can motorcycle plates be transferred to car?
Could you advise on the shelf life of petrol? I refuelled my Volvo XC60 with Shell 99 RON one month ago and I've not used the car to go more than a few miles since.
I do not expect to use my car for another three weeks due to the coronavirus lockdown. It has already been stored in the garage for three weeks. I'm following your guidelines regarding over-inflating tyres...
I booked a service, MoT and warranty inspection on a Ford KA on 30 April 2020. The three year warranty is due to expire on 8 May 2020. I have now been informed by the local main Ford dealership that this...
What are the best, used plug-in hybrids on the UK market currently?
I own a Mercedes-Benz E43 AMG, registered in 2017 with 10,800 miles on the clock. I booked it in for a service yesterday and was quoted £850. Part of the service had to include replacing the spark plugs....
We currently drive an Audi A1 and love it, but with the arrival of a new baby we're finding it too small. We're looking for an upgrade but find that the Q-series of Audis have small boots, and only when...
Are you aware insurers doing anything to address the fact that a high percentage of the cars they have on cover are now out of use for a considerable period of time. This significantly reduces the risk...
I've just heard about battery float chargers, is this another way of saying trickle chargers? I'm looking to buy one for my dad, who owns a BMW 1 Series and have heard that CTEK are the best? Any help...
I'm looking for a float charger suitable for a Honda Jazz with stop-start. What would you suggest?
I'm considering selling my cherished number plate. What do you think?
I'm interested in a car I have seen advertised in a classified ad on eBay by a trader. They advise that the vehicle is a "Part exchange to clear and, like all our part exchange to clear, vehicle is being...
What is the law around cars blocking the cycle lane on roads by parking on them, often for extended periods?
What cars are reasonable to insure for 18 or 19 year olds?
I'm looking to purchase a car for £7000 - £8000 and was wondering what models you think would be best to look at in terms of reliability? I'm looking for something with around 30,000 to 40,000 miles on...
My elderly aunt has decided that she no longer wishes to drive. She has a 25 year old Mini she has had from new with low mileage. The insurance expires in May and the tax in November. The car is kept in...
My 2013 Skoda Yeti has a stop-start feature. Am I OK to trickle charge the battery using a solar charger?
I currently own a 2017 Peugeot 2008 petrol 1.2 and have been very pleased with the car and auto box. In 2016, I was one of those unfortunate owners of a Nissan Qashqai auto that was replaced by Nissan....
You gave an opinion to a question about whether or not, after the pandemic, there would be some bargains on new cars. You said no. I think that after this crisis is over, we're going to see an awful lot...
My friend has a GTM Libra to sell. It has the 24v 2.5-litre engine. Could you advise on the best places to sell it? She would obviously prefer to avoid a private sale involving strangers calling round...
I've decided to buy a new or nearly new Toyota RAV4 and need a quick delivery after lockdown. Don’t really need AWD but like the security of extra traction. We live in a town centre and do about 10,000...
Will it harm my DPF filter if I don't use my diesel car at all during coronavirus lockdown?
I made the mistake of buying a diesel Fiat Doblo van. I only do short runs and the DPF keeps clogging up, even a long run does nothing. What small van would you say is best? I'm looking at Citroen Berlingos...
In the past, you have said that cars should just be started and then driven. But every time I buy a motorbike, the advice is to let it warm up. Are motorbikes different?
What are your top small SUVs?
I’ve been reading the questions about trickle chargers for cars that can’t be driven during the Covid-19 lockdown, but because I don’t have access to a power point I wonder if a portable jump starter would...
Last year we bought a Honda Jazz petrol auto, less than a year old, which we have taken to France on a car trailer three times. Total weight of car and trailer is 2000kg. We use a motorhome to tow it....
My car is still fitted with its winter tyres. I should have them changed now to my summer tyres, which I have here at home, but my tyre fitting shop is closed. Is it acceptable to continue to run on winter...
We own a 2006 Land Rover Defender 90 TD5 (120,000 miles) and, unfortunately, due to higher road tax rates and congestion charges in clean air zones it'll be almost impossible for us to continue to afford...
My renewal quote for a 2018 Vauxhall Corsa is £1260 or £128 if paid monthly. This covers myself as primary driver (age 85 in June) and my wife (83 in June). The annual mileage was estimated at 10,000 but...
I bought a 2012 car in October 2019 from a dealer, which came with a twelve month warranty. Following Government guidelines, we have self-isolated. Consequently I placed it on SORN, effective from 21 March....
Are dealers' ex-demonstrator cars a good buy?
My new car has broken down three times in less than 12,000 miles/six months with the same fault each time. I have the car on personal contract hire. How do I reject the vehicle as I find it unacceptable?
I am nearly 65 years old I have had one accident in 30 years, no one was injured. My children think I should give up driving, they are very ageist. Am I allowed to resit my test to prove to my children...
My right leg was removed to above the knee this February and I want to drive my automatic car using my left foot with no adaptations. I've got the hang of it going up and down my drive. I’ve yet to tell...
Will a charger keep the hybrid battery and the starter battery topped up in my Toyota Yaris Hybrid?
I’m exercising my final right to reject a vehicle as repair by sellers chosen garage did not fix the fault. Vehicle shakes and struggles to start at times. The seller says he is not accepting my rejection...
What's a reasonably-priced battery charger for a Ford Kuga? I'm looking for one as a back-up during the current Covid-19 lockdown where the use of cars is restricted.
I'm a 23-year-old medical student going on hospital placements. I want to buy a car that'll keep me in good stead for the next four years. I'd like to travel home at least once a month (about 150 miles...
Is it an offence to park over a dropped kerb? My neighbours across the road say they are having the kerb lowered so they are guaranteed a parking spot because they have no driveway. They are under the...
I have a 2017 Honda HR-V. Do I need to disconnect the battery to trickle charge?
I only use my car once a week. How often should I be charging the battery?
I haven't used my 2018 Ford Fiesta for three weeks now and probably won't be using it for a few weeks more. Should I start it up on my drive and leave the engine running to keep the battery charged?