Trending topics in March 2009
Questions from March 2009
I ordered a new Skoda Superb SE Diesel 170HP DSG from Meadens Skoda, Sway, Hampshire for delivery 1st March 2009. They have offered to give the vehicle the "Auto Glym Treatment" for £249 including a large...
Two weeks after buying a new Subaru Legacy I was rear-ended and sustained considerable damage. Norwich Union paid for the repair on behalf of the other driver. This involved the supply, spraying and fitting...
I had the rear brake pads and discs replaced on my 2007 Vectra. Am I correct in thinking that the discs only get damaged and hence need replacing if the pads are not repaired in time? I am thinking of...
My wife's car was due for its MOT. I called the garage that we bought the car from as it had been serviced and MOTd by them since new (52 reg). Normally we have a courtesy car, but on this occasion they...
I'm emigrating to Nova Scotia, Canada, and will be looking to buy a cheapish second-hand pick up or SUV. Should I go for North American (V6, V8?) muscle and cheap parts? Or Japanese reliability and expensive...
In view of the inadequate way in which the UK prepares to combat winter snowfalls on our roads, I think a change of direction is needed, we need to go into reverse and do as we did in the harsh winters...
I have seen you recommend Warranty Direct in the past and so covered my SAAB 9-3 with one of their Extra Care warranties. This was renewed in October last year and I have just upgraded it to a no limit...
Can you please help. We have a member of staff that has back problems and needs good lumbar support. She has so far rejected the Ford Focus and a VW Golf. Any ideas for a car that will help in the same...
Your recent correspondent from Uckfield who discovered that the VW dealer who performed an oil change charged him for 4.5 litres of oil when the sump capacity was 3.5 litres is not alone. My Golf was recently...
The Police here (Dyfed-Powys Police) are running a campaign "Get Insured or Get it Seized" which highlights their powers to seize vehicles that are on the roads unlawfully, such as when there is no valid...
Mindful of my duty to inform my motor insurer of any change of circumstances, I recently contacted Tesco Motor Insurance to notify them I had just been made redundant from my position as a customer service...
We are considering buying a people carrier, for the purpose of towing a caravan. Could you suggest such a vehicle suitable to tow a Fleetwood Sonata 25ft caravan, weight 1700 KG and to accommodate six...
Can you recommend any cars more suitable for an elderly lady driver? Automatic, very light steering, easy entry/exit, good visibility etc. Any suggestions gratefully received!
Last September, in the interest of economy and the environment, I traded in a Mercedes for a new Toyota Prius Hybrid. The chief attraction of the Prius lay in its claim that the fuel efficiency was an...
Unwitting motorists face £1,000 fines as thousands of photo card driving licences expire. They are at risk of being fined up to £1,000 because they are unwittingly driving without a valid licence. They...
Help! I have test driven an auto RX-8 import and have fallen totally for the car. TW White specialises in this RHD 2nd hand car, but its prices are hard to justify. Mazda was selling the brand 2008 manual...
Unfortunately, the time has come when, because of aged parents (with their normal aches and pains), we need to update either our 3-Series BMW or convertible to something with better access. We note you...
I'm wondering if you can help as I've run out of ideas. I scrapped a car and was paid by a local breakers yard for it, I handed over the documentation associated with it as the breaker indicated he would...
My neighbours (who are both old age pensioners) purchased a new Vauxhall Meriva in 2004 from a local franchised dealer, who has carried out all subsequent services on the car. To date the car has covered...
Please could you explain in more detail why it should be that if R.L. of Corsham should acquire a Porsche Boxster or a BMW Z4M, he will "possibly lose his licence or even earn himself a stretch in prison"....
If you had £10,000 or perhaps a bit more to spend on an old car (not a nearly young car) what would you buy or what would you recommend me to buy? Something with a heater and room for the spouse and little...
I emailed a few weeks ago about an unreliable 2006 VW Passat estate I bought. I have managed to sell it privately. I am looking at replacing with a SAAB 9-3 Sportwagon 150 TID, Vector Sport model. I have...
I'm looking to replace my current car with a diesel BMW - either a 330 or 335d. Having read of potential problems with dual-mass flywheels, is it something inherent in the design (and hence affects all...
I am looking to buy a left hand drive car for use in Spain, ideally in the UK in order that I can part-exchange my current right hand drive car. The dealer near me that specialises in LHD cars is consistently...
I am looking for a suitable car to fit two needs. My daughter and I go kayaking so we need a car to carry our two boats on the roof, they weigh about 17kg each and are about 2.5m long, plus we need space...
I own a Renault Laguna with a Key Card. The car is 4 years old. I can no longer remotely lock/unlock with the card but have to manually do it (a real nuisance having to take the cover off the passenger...
My wife's farther died last summer and we have been left with his old car, which failed its MOT. We have decided to send the car to the scrap dealer. It has a number plate that is worth around £1,000....
I am due to change my company car and two cars that have caught my eye are the Lexus IS220 SE and the new Toyota Avensis. I could have an Avensis TR 2.2 (150) diesel or the TR 1.8 petrol free or make...
I am considering selling my car and decided to look at some websites. I passed over Glass's site because they made a charge. I clicked on one, could not readily see that a charge was made and filled...
I am afraid we need the benefit of your advice again. You seem to be
the only reliable, objective source, so please forgive us for using you.
My 86 year old father is looking to replace his 6 year-old...
In a few months I'll be taking delivery of a restored 1987 Mini Mayfair. You may ask why, but it is intended to be a "fun" second car. There is also a family link, as my father worked on the design and...
I drive a Polo automatic 1.4 SE and find it underpowered, especially
when needing a boost of power overtaking or joining a motorway. I am getting ready to change it and would like some advice as to whether...
I am planning to buy a new motor car. I would like to buy British MADE, regardless of owner. I am aware that all of the Jaguar / Land Rover models are made in the UK but I fear that they are out of my...
I have just been refused petrol at my local fuel station. The reason, you might ask? It was a cold day and I had the hood up on my hooded sweatshirt. (I'm too old to call it a hoodie). To set the scene,...
My eldest son passed his driving test 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, last Friday he had his first accident, driving well below the posted speed limit but on a slightly icy, slippery road. From his own account...
Can you please advise which 4x4 you think would be better for me. I live in a village and we suffer from flooding into and out of the village so I need a car to get through flooding. I have had two Range...
I have had problem after problem with my car not starting. If I disconnect the battery every night and reconnect, or disconnect when I am not using it then reconnect, it starts every time. I have had it...
Last week one of my heavy goods vehicles went through a Gatso style camera on the single carriageway A5 Northbound, Red Gate junction. The posted limit is 50mph and my driver has been reported for travelling...
Recently H.B. asked you about the difficulty of comparing different types of car tyre. Your readers might be interested to know that the EU has proposed to introduce a mandatory label (similar to those...
I have a 2003 BMW E39 525dSE auto Touring that appears to have a problem of overcooling. It can take up to 10 miles to reach normal working temperature, summer or winter. At that point, descending hills...
I bought a 2003 Renault Laguna 2.2DCI Estate from a non-franchised local car centre last June. It had a new MOT but the advisory note said it had corroded brake discs (front and rear), an oil leak in the...
I have designed and fitted an inertia switch into my rear high-level brake light, so that under braking it lights in the normal way. However, when stationary, it does not annoy those people behind. Is...
I recently received a Notice of Intended Prosecution for doing 37mph in a 30mph limit. I was given the opportunity to attend a Speed Awareness Course in Salisbury, which I accepted and duly paid the £60...
We are thinking of changing our Honda Jazz. The new model may be better in many respects but it just seems to lack that little something. We would like a stylish, well-built, small on the outside, large...
You state that in lower temperatures diesels use more fuel. What is the thermodynamic basis for this statement? I find it difficult to figure out why this should be. I have thought of the following: 1)...
I have an Alfa Romeo Sprint Special with a hand-built Bertone body it is C registered which I think is 1962. Could you tell me the best way to sell this car, I believe only six were produced.
Yet again you miss the point made so well by R.A.: Drive within the law and you won't be fined. It's simple.
I have an 04 Ford Focus Estate automatic and for the last 6 months of last year the red warning light kept coming on and it would sometimes alternate with the yellow ABS light. I had the car fully serviced...
I would appreciate any advice you could give to relieve the plight of a good friend of mine who is in his early 70s and suffers from a minor heart condition. 6 weeks ago, he skidded at slow speed on a...
Elsewhere on 
