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Questions from June 2021
My car was new in June 2016 and has done 23,000 miles. I have had a recall letter and am wondering, after all this time with no problem, whether the work needs to be done. I'm concerned that the work may...
I recently purchased a Hyundai Tuscan Hybridon 19-inch wheels. The dealer was initially unable to source a spare space saver but eventually found one. In fact it is just a full size spare. This is taking...
My Vauxhall dealer in Perth, Scotland (Peter Vardy) has parted company with Vauxhall and can no longer process warranty claims. Which dealer is taking over the Vauxhall franchise from Peter Vardy in Perth...
I had a new clutch and flywheel fitted, then had the gearbox rebuilt. Four weeks later the clutch is going straight to the floor and the gears won't engage. What's the issue?
I have a budget of around £10k to buy a car for taxi work. On average, I do around 25,000 miles a year. I'm after a vehicle that's 2017-onwards. What car would you recommend for me?
I believe that I'm covered under the Distance Selling Regulations in that I have paid a reservation fee to secure a vehicle. The dealer has arranged V5 change of owner, which I have received. The part-ex...
I recently went to a local dealership to inquire/buy a Jaguar XE-S. I was taken through the Jaguar online 'Build your car' and shown the final cost. When I asked about incentives to buy at that dealership...
What’s a fair depreciation charge per mile when returning a secondhand car to the sales garage? I bought a 10-year-old Skoda with 78,000 miles but, after 6 weeks, it was obvious that the engine was shot...
I have a couple of questions about electric vehicles. There are known issues associated with Sub Stations and strong EMF from devices. How safe is it to sit just a few inches above a huge slab of batteries...
I have a big dog (a 10-stone Leonberger) and we're expecting it to have rear leg problems in later life. I'm looking for a reliable car with a low boot lip and a big enough cargo space to accommodate the...
Our diesel Hyundai Sante Fe has been filled with petrol and driven three miles home. A dreadful noise occurred and then realisation set in. What can be done, if anything? Please advise.
I need a car that's a similar size to the Peugeot 208 for a person of limited mobility. It needs a higher seat than the 208.
How do I identify the date on a tyre?
Is there a medium-sized car that would cope well with London's speed humps/bumps and not damage the car?
I regularly end up following 2004 registered double-decker buses around Huddersfield. The exhaust is that bad that I have to put the air-con recirculation on to avoid a car full of smoke. I'm assuming...
Could you recommend a good all-around, summer tyre for my Honda Civic? Tyre size is 225\45\17.
I need to change my 2017 car but I had a bump recently and wonder if I should get it mended or trade it in as it is. I've loved the Yeti, but it's started to have a few problems lately so I'd like to get...
I'm planning to buy a Mercedes W123 as a daily driver. There's an independent Mercedes mechanic who specialises in W123 repairs just 2 miles away. Do you think that the Government's drive to electric...
I'm looking to swap my Toyota RAV4 to a Suzuki Vitara AllGrip. My budget of £11,000 means I'll probably get a car that's 3yo or older, and not under manufacturer warranty. But problems with uneven tyre...
I have a 2016 Skoda Rapid Spaceback. It's now 5 years old with 50,000 miles on the clock. When does it need a replacement timing belt? I've had wildly different advice from different dealers.
I've had my catalytic converter nicked twice now, unfortunately. Once on a Honda Accord and just before that on a Civic. I want to know what makes and models are less likely or impossible to target?
I've become frustrated by pedestrians pressing the button on pelican and puffin crossings when there's no traffic and they could cross the road safely without using the lights. By the time the lights change,...
My brand new Land Rover makes a loud booming sound in the cabin at speeds of 30mph and below, causing headaches and making passengers feel nauseous. However, the dealer says it’s a characteristic of the...
We have a shared driveway with our neighbours but they're allowing their son to use the driveway to park his car in their garage. Is this allowed?
Are CVT transmissions any good?
I regularly hear of people being pulled over by the police for having satnav and phones within the view of the arc of the windscreen wipers, but it seems as if every other vehicle has distracting air fresheners,...
My MINI Countryman has a bike rack that attaches to the chassis. It's a genuine MINI accessory. Do any other makes of cars offer the same type of carrier?
Are ceramic coatings worth buying?
My BMW X3 is due an MOT next month, but there's an onscreen warning to tell me to replace the brake fluid at my next service. Will it affect my MOT result? Thank you.
I purchased a motorhome from a motorhome dealership in September 2020. I only drove it 133 miles before blue-black smoke curtailed our first outing. The garage has now discovered a broken glow plug in...
I'm looking to install a dash camera in our Audi A3 and this got me thinking that all manufacturers should fit them as standard or at least offer them as an option. Are there any manufacturers that do...
Any advice on pursuing a claim related to repairs associated with a contaminated diesel issue? The retailer is claiming that no other reported issues have been raised and that their own test records indicate...
I'm looking for a dash cam that can be activated at night with a motion sensor since nighttime vandalism is becoming a problem lately. Can you recommend any dash cams with this particular feature? Thank...
At the end of a recent journey, we were pulled over by police because — as it was explained to us — we had a sat nav on the dashboard obscuring the view within the wiper arc. The car doesn't have any suitable...
My 2019 Skoda Kodiaq is at 24,000 miles and I've had to replace both the front brake discs and pads, which I consider unacceptable wear. Before the Kodiaq, I owned (from new) an Octavia VRS estate for...
I'm about to purchase a 2018 Nissan Qashqai from a Nissan dealership for £19,000. I feel this is a bit high as it has 28,000 miles on the clock. I've also read a few mixed reviews on this model and want...
I was issued a parking ticket for parking in the car park of a pub. Is this fair?
I'm part-exchanging my car for a new one (to a garage). He turned the car on and back off and said his checks were done, but I think there's an issue with the EGR. However, I'm not a mechanic. Do I need...
Can a Pirelli run-flat tyre with a nail in the tread be repaired?
My wife’s MINI is due for its two-year service. I would like to take it to my local garage, which has given us excellent care. However, am I going to compromise the warranty in the event of a problem in...
Since I was 17, I have had quick and fun cars. Would you be able to suggest a car that has good handling, a turn of speed, fairly reliable and around £3000? A tough ask, I know, but might you be able to...
My wife’s been to look at a 2018 Hyundai i10 1.2-litre. It’s in good condition but the clutch pedal is at the end of its travel before the clutch bites. It has 8000 miles on the clock and has been a rental...
I have a Honda Jazz hybrid. What are the options on the gear lever (RNDB)?
I'm thinking of buying a Mercedes-Benz A250e. Is there something you would recommend which is better? The 44 electric miles is the attraction.
Why are electric/hybrid cars so expensive? There’s no chance that an ordinary family will buy one. What’s going on?
A trader has offered to buy my car at an acceptable price with no test drive, sight unseen, paying by bank transfer. He will trailer it away and says he is local. What should I be wary of? He said he will...
I have a Ford Galaxy with a lowered floor that can accommodate my wife’s wheelchair but her new wheelchair will not fit in. Obviously, I will have to check out any new vehicle but I want something that...
What is a Cat D repair?
My niece just bought a 2005 Volkswagen Golf for £1000. After a week, it needs a new camshaft and clutch plate. This is her first car so she can take her driving test, but the seller doesn’t want to know....
I bought the above car from a main dealer on 15 August 2020. They stated that a service and MOT had been done and it was ready to go. The car had 24,994 miles on the clock. Last week, a warning light came...