Trending topics in January 2010
Questions from January 2010
My wife has just received a demand for £50 payment for parking on "our clients private property at Jempsons Store, Hawkhurst". The car is recorded by CCTV showing the correct vehicle date and time. Is...
The callipers on the front disc brakes on my Ford Zetec are showing signs of rust. Some weeks/months ago I remember that that you answered a letter from a reader who had a similar problem and you recommended...
I am tempted by the 20% “VAT” equivalent savings on offer by Skoda on petrol engined Skoda Octavias and I am considering changing my current car a 2006 Skoda Octavia L&K Estate 105 PDI owned by me from...
Mercedes C320 drivers seem to be having problems getting satnav updates. I had exactly the opposite experience with Ford. Two years ago I bought a six-month old Mondeo from Ford Direct and being an ex-demonstrator,...
I am considering trading in my Autotrail Cheyenne motorhome and unused car (2004 Mercedes C270 Estate) and going back to towing a caravan with a new towcar. I don't actually do that many miles per annum...
What I want is a car that looks like a Honda CR-V - chunky with high seating - but is not 4x4. Is there such a thing? Also, I hear on the radio today that Carcraft is offering a £2,000 scrappage deal against...
I hope that you will do your utmost to publicise the iniquitous proposal to disallow costs when a motorist successful contests a wrongful motoring conviction. Please encourage readers to sign the petition...
For the last three years or so I have been running a Peugeot 407 and have been very pleased with it. It recently developed a fault with a dash display warning that ABS and ESP were disabled. As it was...
As you may remember, Gowrings Mobility is now back in business and has some new products that fulfil specific needs of the disabled. The Gowrings Vauxhall Combo Tour is the best-value wheelchair-carrying...
I own a 2001 Honda Accord V-type 2.3L which is really a Rolls with another badge. However, the neatly fitted integral sat-nav system is now antiquated and needs new data. Honda very politely told me all...
I bought a 55 plate Skoda Octavia in March 2009, 52,000 miles, with a three-month warranty. On 12th September 2009 the hydraulic pipe between the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder failed. As I...
I am looking to replace the 1-litre V Reg Corsa I have had since being a student with a good family car now that I am married with a son. I think the Corsa's small engine is the main reason my license...
You may remember I wrote to you about starting and running problems with my recently purchased 2006/56 Focus 1.6 automatic. You recommended Shell V-Power petrol. I said I would let you know I got on and,...
Recently I was charged £55 by Grasmere Skoda of Macclesfield, a former Skoda dealer who sold me the car new, to rectify rear alloy road wheels that could not be removed at home because they were corroded...
I am looking at a Mercedes 280E. It is 2006/56 and owned by a friend at my golf club. He says he has been offered £17k by Jaguar in exchange for an XKR. I have yet to drive it but I was very concerned...
Could you please give me your opinion on the most successful means to slow down traffic on our road? We have no pavements, and when we have to walk up and down the road it is very dangerous, due to the...
I bought an 03 plate Porsche Boxster S from a specialist dealer in March 2008 and was charged £500 for GAP insurance as an 'extra', although no paperwork ever materialised to support this, despite numerous...
We are retired and own two cars: a Jan 99 BMW 318iSE and a Feb 07 Jazz. We keep the BMW for three or four 1,000mile round trips to visit relatives down south. It has covered 70,000 miles and because of...
I have just retired after spending all my working life in and around the motor trade. We have a problem with which I hope you can offer some help which you probably have never been asked before. I am an...
I took my car my 2005 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140 Sport to the local VW dealer due to an oil pressure loss/emergency warning light appearing, combined with a loss of braking servo assistance. Oil was correct...
I bought a 1997 Ford Fiesta 1997 with 1 years MoT. The clutch broke 1 week later. I was then informed by my mechanic that this MoT is not right as there are numerous faults, including 2 broken springs...
I think the main benefit of average speed cameras is protection of construction workers. It is most unpleasant to be working at the side of the road with traffic roaring past at 70 or 80. However, for...
Our second car is a 1998 CR-V and whilst it is currently reliable I am concerned that we may miss the opportunity to get £2,000 for it under the scrappage scheme if that scheme closes. My wife has taken...
Can you advise which of the official fuel consumption figures most nearly corresponds to what an average driver in mixed driving can expect to see?
Do you give help/advice on possible mechanical/electrical car problems anywhere on your website?
Two weeks ago, while driving my 1997 Citroen ZX, I was involved in a collision with a Land Rover Freelander. The other driver admitted liability to the police after losing control of his vehicle; which...
Can you help please? Last Tuesday my wife was involved in a motor accident. She had stopped, indicating right, intending to pass through a dual carriageway intersection when her car was rammed by a Mazda...
My elderly cousin wants to replace her battered 9-year-old Nissan Micra with an economical automatic for pottering about the town only. 2 doors ok, very much wants rear parking sensors but I guess they...
My son is looking to renew his car insurance. He will be 18 in February. He passed his test 6 months ago, and got his car when he was 17, so now has 1 year no claims. He also took his Pass Plus test, but...
The Mrs and I are looking to buy a new car and we went to look at the new Lexus models. The salesman was very nice and informative and we got chatting, when a guy in trainers and tracksuit and dripping...
I recently bought a car from a car dealer some distance from home. Before leaving the car lot I pointed out that the coolant level was way below the minimum line but the dealer assured me that topping...
With the ever-increasing price of fuel I am more than ever aware that Honda sold me a new Jazz without a locking petrol cap.
I am having trouble with my 2006 VW Golf TDI and wondered if you might have any thoughts. I am not technologically literate, but I understand that the engine has a turbo so that when you press the accelerator...
I own a 2007 Citroen C4 Picasso with the 1.6HDi engine (about 110bhp I think) with the DPF. However it seems that it is essential for these engines to be run with C2 grade engine oil (low sulphur and ash...
Further to the email in Saturday 7th January Telegraph Motoring, I have a plastic clip on the right hand side of my 9-year-old Citroen C5 that I use to hold parking tickets. When I got the car I asked...
I would welcome your advice on which 4x4 to choose. I intend to purchase new and keep the car for 10 years during which time I estimate I will drive 150,000 miles. I want a diesel engine and automatic...
Last year I bought a new Suzuki Swift and the accompanying literature recommended that if I had an accident I contact Suzuki, rather than my insurance company. Suzuki would then do everything (recover...
Having driven quite often in South Africa, I realise the value of being able legally to overtake on either side on 3 or more lane roads. It makes lane hogging pointless and means much better use of road...
Recently there have been press articles about the Organ Donation Register and the DVLA. Some months ago I had to apply for a new driving licence. This was attended to very promptly. However, late Nov I...
Who has priority at a motorway junction involving an entry slip road? I had long believed that the pecked or dashed line where an entry slip comes onto the nearside lane of a dual carriageway or motorway...
I have checked on your website as to whether you have covered the topic of dealing with potholes as well as snow and ice with a 4x4. People seem mainly concerned with ice and snow. I want to ask if a 4x4...
I am enquiring on behalf of my elderly parents (aged 87 and 79) who currently run a 1 owner pristine BMW 320 SE (petrol) with leather, metallic paint and folding mirrors. Registered in June 2007 the car...
My wife found last year’s snow particularly challenging for her much-loved Honda Jazz CVT. She would appreciate your advice regarding a small automatic 4x4.
I have just bought a 2003 Jaguar XK8. I was told I would get a 12-month warranty with the car and when it was delivered by the salesman, I was asked to sign the warranty form that was then placed in a...
I purchased a car from a BMW dealer. Problems occurred and the car needed invasive work that was covered under warranty. However, we discovered that the engine had been changed one month before purchase...
After many years of driving I have on odd occasions stalled my car by getting my left foot on the brake as well as the clutch, which could be dangerous. My friends are telling me I should change to an...
My son and daughter in law need a second car and have a budget of £4,000 to spend. The car will be used mainly for local runs but will undertake occasional longer runs to see family, etc. It needs to accommodate...
We will soon need to replace an 8year old 2 litre diesel Zafira Elegance after 120,000 satisfactory miles. Requirements are: estate type vehicle for ease of loading/dog transport. Reasonable power/handling/economy....
I wish to change my car and would appreciate your advice as to what I should buy. I would be prepared to spend up to £9,000. I currently drive a 54 plate Peugeot 206S, 1,360cc, 5 door with 32,000 miles...
I read your advice about buying a personal registration to avoid cloning. I cannot understand how that will stop someone either stealing my number plate or using my number on a stolen car and me getting...
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