Questions from November 2012
I am seriously thinking of buying a Peugeot 406 Coupe 3.0-litre V6, registered in March 2001 with 70,000 miles on the clock. It seems in good condition and will be used mainly on long journeys at weekends.
Is...
My commute has recently become longer, and as a result my annual mileage has changed from 10,000 to 20,000 miles.
I currently have a 06-plate Volkswagen Golf 1.6FSI, which has done 50,000 miles. I regularly...
I have a '04-plate Nissan Tino, and I want to know what type of timing chain it uses?
I have been told that there is two types, Which one does mine have?
Also, the ECU light is on, but there are no...
I started my new Suzuki SX4 2.0DDiS SZ5 the other morning, and the engine made a terribly rough noise. Turned it off and started it again, and all was fine. What could it have been? Sounded like it wasn't...
Is it leagal for a parking enforcement officer to put a parking ticket under your windscreen wiper? I have been told that it is classed as trespass...
Would replacing the run-flat tyres on my BMW X5 with normal tyres improve the ride quality? I recently bought a 2010 BMW X5 3.0D with 18in wheels and run-flat tyres. The test drive on dual-carriageway...
My wife has a Toyota Aygo that's coming to end of its three-year manufacturer warranty. The car does about 8000 miles per year, mainly on running local errands and commuting. We have option of buying extended...
I have to go on one of these courses, and I suffer from anxiety. And have this as a result of my accident in June - but have to wait until Dec for the course. I'm 69, and am so worried I won't get through.
I...
I am soon to retire, and need to purchase a car. I am thinking of a 2-3 year old petrol automatic - options are narrowed to Mercedes-Benz C220/250, BMW 320 or Ford Mondeo.
Which would you advise as best...
I plan to replace the wheels and tyres on my 2002 Lexus IS300 Sportcross, because the rims are corroded and the 45-profile tyres give a slightly harsh ride.
The existing standard wheels are are 17in...
My 2003 Ford Mondeo 2.0 swings its rear-end when hitting bumps. When I buy a new set of tyres, the rears wear out on the outer sides more than the fronts. What could be the problem?
My daughter's Vauxhall Astra (56-reg, 1600cc petrol, 41,000miles) has an intermittent starting problem. The dealer first said it was the keys; then they said it was the SIM card and replaced that.
They...
I have a 2010 Audi A4 Avant automatic. The problem is that it sometimes jerks and vibrates when pulling away. This is especially bad when pulling away uphill, and turning right. I am concerned, because...
Looking to buy a second car to only to use four days a week solely for the trip to and from work, budget is low (£1200ish) and the round trip is 80 miles (on a generally clear Motorway stretch).
Any...
I bought my Audi A6 Allroad 3.0TDI (Tiptronic) new in October 2006. It now has covered 83,700 miles, has a new MoT, and full Audi main dealer service history.
I have been offered £9250 as a trade-in...
I've just bought a three-month old Ford Grand C-MAX. All the Ford Brochures state that the tyre size is 205/55/R16, but this one has 215/55/R16s fitted. according to the handbook I have, either size can...
I recently started driving a 2004 BMW 116i, and I really enjoy driving it. It's fitted with steel 16in wheels. What benefits (other than cosmetic) would swapping over to alloy wheels give?
The reason...
Does Chevrolet intend to bring out a Spark automatic in 2013 live they have in other parts of the world? Also is the spark as solid as the Kia and Hyundai rivals?
How can I find out the next delivery cycle of Hyundai i20 1.4 diesel to the UK?. I have spoken to several dealers and the sort of answers I get always leads to buying another car of their choice.
Is the stop-start system on my new Skoda Yeti 1.6TD Greenline going to have an adverse effect on the engine, given that it will switch off the engine even when very hot?
I've recently bought a BMW E93 Convertible 325D Auto and have been looking carefully at the MPG figures. I never get anything like what the manufacturer says but I can live with that but I decided to...
In January 2012, we bought a brand new Ford Mondeo 2.0L Ecoboost Titanium X Sport. In August 2012, the turbocharger failed.
Ford has been telling us for the last 10 weeks that the part will be arriving...
Neath Port Talbot council issued me a penalty ticket in an off road P&D car park. It is my understanding that on the Highway, you can issue penalties. But that off-road, i.e., non-highway, you cannot issue...
I have been offered a 2007 Lexus GS450h with one owner, and just 45,000 miles on the clock for £11,000. It looks and drives very well, but it has had its engine rebuilt after sucking up water.
It's on...
We currently run a Toyota Verso but my wife finds it too big and the poor turning circle puts her off driving it altogether. We want a small car that is easy for disabled access, easy to drive and park,...
I would strongly advise PS, who wrote about space-saver spare wheels, and anyone else who has one, not to venture out on a motorway with one fitted. A few months ago, the AA fitted my space-saver spare...
We live in semi-rural Aberdeenshire and we do have winters up here, the last three returning to what were 'normal' winters a few years ago. My wife drives a BMW 325M diesel automatic, and we fit winter...
Could you explain why the cost of diesel fuel is up to 8p per litre more than petrol? As diesel is a lower fraction of the crude oil from which it is made than petrol, it needs less processing and as it...
In two recent issues you invited recommendations of car camera systems that run on a “loop” and can record the build up to crashes. As a result of suffering two crashes on local mini roundabouts where...
My wife and I will be hiring a car for thirty days in New Zealand next February. Please can you inform me of reputable insurers who provide a Collision Damage Waiver for a reasonable sum?
I run a 1998 BMW 318 Touring, owned since new, with a mileage of 128,000. I pay £215 road tax and my annual mileage is about 7000.
I feel the charge is unfair in that certain new models will pay nothing...
My Fiat dealer tells me that Fiat Panda 4x4 are no longer made. Are there any alternatives?
You write that a FWD car on winter tyres is better than a 4WD car on summer tyres. Clearly you have little experience of driving in the snow and ice and it’s flat where you live. In Devon there are lanes...
Can you advise me about the car tyre snow socks? This is a new innovation to me and I wonder how efficient they might be, and if are they value for money in your opinion?
I want to exchange my 2004 Smart Fortwo for a similar small car, predominately used for short in-town journeys. We have another car for longer trips when three or more seats are needed. It needs upright...
I am severely disabled with arthritis and incontinence and have undergone an upsetting and lengthy ordeal with Excel Parking Services Limited. I realise the saga is too long to publish, but at least you...
My car insurance is due for renewal in two weeks and my current insurer has offered a renewal at £235, which represents a 17 per cent increase. Is this normal or should I seek alternatives?
Secondly,...
My query relates to a cherished number plate which my son had on his car from 2003 until 2005, when he had an accident. The car was deemed to be a write-off and the plate was transferred to his replacement...
Yesterday my 2002 Volkswagen Polo petrol model, which has covered 75,000 miles, had its annual service, including a full oil change. Today, the oil looks much the same as it did yesterday - dirty and dark....
I took my 2005 Peugeot 307 HDI XI to the Peugeot main garage this morning for a service and MoT. It has covered just 39,000 miles and was serviced by a local garage for the last two years.
I have just...
I have a two-door Toyota RAV4 which is now ten years old. I now wish to replace it with a compact four-door crossover. What would you suggest, bearing in mind that I prefer the high seating position?
I have a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 DSG which is three years old and has covered 32,000 miles since new. The gearbox has failed and needs to be replaced, and Volkswagen has quoted £4,300. They and the...
This winter I've noticed more and more cars with faulty lights. Obviously they have not been MOT tested recently, so is it reasonable to assume that they are not taxed or insured either? To me the scariest...
I've just picked up a new MOT 'certificate' from my local friendly garage. When he thrust a piece of white A4 paper into my hand I thought he was having a joke. It resembled more a receipt from an online...
My wife is looking for a car with easy access, a high driving position, plenty of room for grandchildren and plenty of convertible space, as well as a bit of refinement and 'oomph'. We have narrowed things...
I bought a 2010 Polo from a local Volkswagen dealer but had to take it back to them three months later, as the car was pulling significantly to the left. They remedied the fault but at the same time informed...
My Skoda Octavia vRS heater was repaired under warranty in May 2011, and the manufacturer's warranty later expired on 3 November 2011. Exactly the same fault has now occurred again, where the heater blows...
As a result of seeing the horrendous pictures of the crash on the M5 at Taunton, I have read through the section of The Highway Code relating to motorways. In the back of my mind, I have either heard or...
I have read your comments regarding speed humps and would like some advice. I live in a semi in the Midlands. There are two sets of semis next to each other. We are situated on a hill. If I look out of...
Our local council is proposing installing speed cushions on the estate were we live, with one planned right outside our house. What is the best way to stop this waste of money?
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