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Questions from October 2021
Someone damaged my parked car and left the scene. A passer-by took their registration and left the details under my wiper. Is it worth reporting the incident to the police? How do I trace the owner? Should...
My driving licence is with the DVLA in order to be renewed, however I need to go abroad shortly and wondered if there is any way I can hire a car?
I cannot seem to get any updates for the sat-nav in my 2014 Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Elite, please can you help.
I purchased a 1985 camper van eight days ago. The seller was eager to deliver the motor to me, which they did. Only two miles into my first journey the van started smoking and oil was pouring out of the...
A car reversed into my son's motorbike while waiting for traffic to move and my son's bike sustained fairing damage After six weeks in the insurance compound, the insurance company considered the bike...
Having recently bought an Abarth 500, we went on a ferry and I decided to turn off the motion alarm to stop the alarm going off. I could not find any reference to alarms/immobilisors in the handbook. Question...
I want to buy a small used car for about £10,000. Could you make a few suggestions please. I've been looking at a Fiat 500.
My Land Rover Freelander needs its headlight lenses cleaning as they are looking misty. Is there anything you could recommend? I've seen toothpaste being referred to but don't really know if that works!
Recently a bike rack jumped out and dented the rear passenger door on my 2015 Renault Trafic. Turns out a new door is just shy of £1000, but second hand doors are around £100. However, 2015 ones are not...
We're a family of five and have been driving a 2009 Ford S-Max Titanium that we've had for six years. The car has been ideal as we often use the 7 seats to ferry the kids friends, grand parents etc. In...
I have just ordered a new Toyota Yaris Cross for expected delivery early next year. We have ordered a factory fit tow bar/tow ball kit in order to carry a cycle carrier. Since the tow bar is factory fitted...
I bought a car from new and after six months it developed a slight grinding noise at low speeds. The main dealer investigated five times but could find nothing. Then it went to the garage for a slight...
I've heard differing opinions but I understand if a tyre pressure monitor fails, it is an MoT fail? Is this true, if so it makes no sense? Surely the MoT is concerned with vehicle safety? A failed tyre...
I'm in dispute with a car rental provider who want to sue me for a small fortune. They allege I filled up a diesel car with petrol but some things are not adding up. Is it possible to drive a car for 60+...
After selling or scrapping your car, what happens to your no claims bonus if you haven't actually got another car yet?
I've just bought a 2007 Honda CRV with a 30 day mechanical warranty. I fear the steering rack may be damaged as the steering wheel tugs in the opposite direction whilst cornering, and when turned whilst...
I have a budget between £15,000 and £18,000 to spend on a SUV. I need something reliable, cheap to run, nice to drive, cheap road tax and good mpg. Open to a diesel, petrol or self charging hybrid and...
I have a a VW campervan (diesel) and a Mercedes C-Class C180 (petrol) and I would have expected these to last me for my remaining 10-12 years of driving. I’m looking for options to reduce my carbon footprint...
I have passed my driving three months ago and I'm now planning to go on a short trip using the motorway. I know slip roads are there to gain appropriate speed before joining a motorway's left hand lane....
I've had a Ford Fiesta base van (1.4-litre TDCi) since 2017, but my road tax seems quite hefty? I annually pay around £265 to £270. Am I paying too much?
Is my 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander with a 2.0-litre Di-D engine chain or belt driven? I have no service history so how can I check it’s been done if a it has a belt? Mileage is at 112,000 miles.
I recently fitted the full sized spare wheel to my Ford Mondeo as part of the tyre rotation process. I found that the wheel isn't fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring sensor. Obviously this has resulted...
I would like to buy a used Fiat Sedici with its switchable two and four-wheel drive system. Apart from finding a grassy hill to drive up (and assuming there is no snow on the ground) how can I test that...
I bought a Mercedes A-Class in February 2020 and the car was one year old. I was told it was fully serviced before picking it up but it turns out it wasn't. This was identified following a recall appointment...
I have found an 2012 Audi A5 that's covered 100,000 miles, but it does have a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Not everyones cup of tea, but are they reliable enough to consider buying? I have...
I would like to buy my grandson, who's coming up 17 years old, a small car to allow him to start work. I'd like it to be no older than five years, safe, very reliable, have reasonable running costs and...
My Hyundai Santa Fe has 130,000 miles on it and I’ve read that the timing chain should be replaced after 100,000 miles. Is that right, or is it still safe to drive until noticing some symptoms? I guess...
I'm looking at a second hand 2018/9 Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost and mentioned it to my servicing garage. Both mechanics took a sharp intake of breath and warned me off. I know there was an issue with hoses in...
I currently have a 2014 Skoda Yeti. I bought it mainly because of my wife's arthritis as she couldn't get into my SAAB 9-3 easily. The Yeti is very easy to get in and out of for somebody with painful knees. I've...
The turbo on my 2015 Mazda CX-5 has failed at 82,000 miles. I purchased the car new and it's been serviced by Mazda main dealers in accordance with the recommended service schedule. The repair costs are...
Does my Fiat 500 1.2 petrol have a timing chain or belt?
Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s I always hankered after a Porsche 911. Now approaching retirement that desire has returned with a mid-80s 3.0 SC being my favourite shape. Am I better off buying one...
Our daughter purchased a 3.5-year-old Land Rover Discovery with 40,000 miles on the clock six months ago, for which she paid £45,000. The car broke down last Friday, the RAC Recovery Technician could not...
What is your opinion of the Ford Puma Titanium 1.0 EcoBoost MHEV 125PS?
I'm a single parent looking for advice for buying a small, reliable, inexpensive to run car with a high driving seat and easy access for the driver (dodgy hips). Good visibility and value are must. It...
I have a 2015 Focus and recently noticed a slight ticking noise from the front right tyre whilst driving. It is very faint and doesn't always manifest itself, especially at higher speeds. I thought it...
What's the best second hand electric car for £30,000?
I have a BMW 3 series 1.8 diesel. Having had an oil change about 4000 miles ago, the i-drive flashed with a low oil warning and I put in one litre of oil immediately. I did this and took it to my specialist,...
I have a 2014 MINI cooper with 12,000 miles on the clock. I have had two error messages which come on every time the lights are activated which states that basically none of the lights are working. However...
I recently viewed a used Mazda 6 with a price of £7690. I agreed to pay the full asking price. The dealer offered a 12-month MoT, service and six month warranty. On inspecting the car I noted that the...
We're looking for a medium-sized electric car with all-wheel drive and an estate bodystyle (to carry our large dog). Mileage needs are low (typically 50-60 miles per day). The Skoda Enyaq is a bit larger...
I presently have a five-year-old Jaguar XE. I'm looking to change for a smaller car as I’m getting older and no longer do as many long journeys. However, I really enjoy the heated seats, sunroof, reversing...
My leased 2020 Isuzu D-Max is due its first service at 12,000 miles but the supplying dealership wants £280 for it. My local garage owned by a good friend who I know will use genuine Isuzu parts will do...
I'm on my third Nissan Qashqai since 2013 and this current one (petrol/automatic) will be three years old in May 2022. Recently my partner bought a Mazda 6 so we have two roomy cars siting on the drive....
What’s the best SEAT Ateca model to buy?
I read with interest your article regarding winter tyres in France and wondered whether my Michelin Cross Climate tyres would be acceptable under French law? If not are snow chains acceptable?
What do you think of Volkswagen Polo?
I have owned Ford Mondeo estate cars for many years. My current vehicle was registered in 2013 but being tall, having hip problems and getting older I am finding it increasingly difficult getting in and...
I'm finding it difficult to definitive answers on cam belt changes on both of my cars. Some sources are saying 10 years/100,000 miles for my 2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0D. I also own a 2015 Audi Q3 2.0...
We have bought a nearly new (2020) Vauxhall Corsa. We thought it came with a CD player but it did not; however, it does have a USB port which we have been told is only for charging a phone. We have asked...