Questions from July 2010
I have a Mercedes-Benz C180 which I bought from new in late 2002. It has a full Mercedes-Benz service record. Despite its age, the car only has 17,000 miles on the clock. I had the car serviced recently...
The Highway Code states that: “You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced…..You may also use front or rear fog lights but you must switch them off when visibility improves.” What then...
Recently I was stopped by an unmarked police car and accused of using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. In fact my Peugeot has built-in handsfree and in any case my phone was in my pocket and certainly...
For the past two years I have carried out the routine servicing of my wife’s 2003 BMW MINI Cooper which has covered 15,500 miles from new. When preparing the car for the MOT Test I noted that the original...
I have a BMW 320d SE first registered November 2002, that I bought second hand from a BMW dealer in 2006. The aircon pump was about to fail a month ago, picked up by my estimable mobile mechanic and he...
I wondered if you provide some advice. I plan to replace my 2005 BMW Mini Cooper. It has been back and forth from the garage with various faults and it cost £450 to get it through an MOT last year. I would...
Regarding the email from MU in Saturday's HJ column, what is a "private dealer" please? I thought private car sales are exempt
from consumer rights protection.
Further to your recent correspondence about poor mpg experienced by owners of Hyundai i10s, like others I am unable to obtain anywhere near the advertised mpg. Since last September when I purchased the...
I read your answer to an AA member in Saturday's Telegraph dated 8 May who commented about their renewal quote. Although some time has now passed, I thought it would be useful to point out that we are...
I commute daily to London from Southampton by car and currently drive a 6-year-old 1.6 petrol Peugeot 307. Unfortunately it has recently become unreliable, costly to run and expensive on repairs. Could...
I just thought I'd let you know that I've also had a Teves Mk 60 ESP failure. Having read the forum on honestjohn I noted that I met the 'criteria' (i.e, under 5 years old, under 60, 000 and full main...
I own a Mercedes C220CDI and at the last service I was advised that 3 glowplugs need replacing. A price was quoted but I was advised that if the plugs were difficult to remove or broke in the process the...
A short time ago I asked you about the relative merits of two cars my wife was considering as her next Motability car. These were the Skoda Roomster SE 1.2 TSI DSG and the KIA Soul 2 1.6 CRDI automatic....
I took delivery of a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class and have only just read your article. The car is a C180 Elegance and is dated 11/08/2000 in the EEC certificate of conformity. Initial registration 16/1/01....
My wife needs to replace her Peugeot 206 automatic. It suits her because, due to arthritis, she is unable to press the button on the gear lever used to unlock the park mode. Instead, the brake pedal has...
My daughter bough a Ford Fiesta Zetec just over a year ago. It's in very good condition and quite fast. She hadn't noticed that the oil was running low. She had a major service about two months ago. They...
I did fancy an Audi A4 diesel or a Volkswagen equivalent but I am finding the used prices very high. Can you recommend an equally reliable and worthy diesel of this size for £2000 - £3000? I assume there...
I have the chance to purchase my company car which is a BMW 2006 5 Series 2.0D SE Tourer. The car has 84,500 miles on the clock and I would like your advice on whether this would be a sensible purchase,...
The other day I found that all three of my brake lights have stopped working. I've done the usual checks - fuse, bulbs. No other lights are affected - the indicators, reverse, fog and side lights all work....
I am considering purchasing a new Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI automatic for my wife. I understand that they will be available in a few months time. Could you please advise me of the technical specification and...
I have a 2010 Volkswagen Touran 2.0 TDI. The rear lights mist up after washing. Volkswagen says this is normal. Turning on the lights will dry them out. The AA says it is a problem. If I wanted the lights...
My Volkswagen Passat Estate (petrol) bought new in March 2006 and now with 37,200 miles on the clock would only start intermittently. The vehicle has a full service history and always serviced by a Volkswagen...
My grandson is in the motor trade (a qualified technician) and is of the opinion that sole use of top grade fuel, eg Shell V-Power diesel, is damaging to the engine. Is there any truth in this?
My daughter is desperate. She has an 06 reg 2.0 TDCI Ford S-Max which intermittently takes several minutes to start from hot or cold. Her dealer has had the car several times, including whilst it was in...
I was using my Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 for about three hours and it was working very well. I switched the car off for about one minute and then it wouldn't start again. The electrics are ok but the car...
I have a small (I hope) problem in that my Citroen C5 2.2hdi SX estate's (2003/52 plate) rear suspension loses height when left parked for a few hours. Once I activate the door unlock it quickly returns...
I am looking for a first car, around the £1000-£2000 mark. It has to be able to carry four kayaks on the roof and seat four passengers, and possibly even sleep two in the boot. Ideally I would like an...
I've changed the catalyst, charcoal canister, lambda senser, map senser, also checked the rubber tubes in the engine bay. Is there anything I can do to solve this? I've just failed an MOT.
Just back from a week's holiday driving around Scotland in my 2002 Renault Clio II 1.5 DCI 65bhp, which ran like a sewing machine. It did nearly 1000 miles without any problems. I got up today and washed...
Do you think 36mpg in city an acceptable consumption, or is it too high for a 1.9 PD TDI Volkswagen Bora six-speed, 130 bhp model?
I've just recently bought a 52-plate Peugeot 307 SW 2.0 petrol and found that the petrol gauge isn't working. Also, the anti-pollution light is on. Any help please?
I have a Toyota Hilux HL3 07-reg and have been towing my trailer fine. I recently purchased an Equitrek trailer which has an unladen wight of 1400kg and gross of 2600kg. My horses weigh around 1000kg so...
As much as I love the comfort of the 520i BMW, it has a thirst greater than Dean Martin! I have decided, therefore that it has to go. I drive about 11,000 miles a year, a combination of town and motorway...
My sister is starting a job with a reputable energy company, and she feels that she needs to drive something economical and efficient. However, my mother wants her to drive something as safe as possible....
My wife and I are buying a new Skoda Fabia Estate and have been offered GAP insurance for £250. What do you think about such insurance? Is it worthwhile? We're not reckless drivers, but a previous car...
How does the insuance company come to own the salvage after an accident? My wife recently had an altercation with another vehicle which resulted with an outcome that the claim was given as 50-50. We then...
My son recently purchased a secondhand car from a dealership in Dundee. When we first looked at the car we were pleasantly surprised at the condition of the vehicle and did not spot odd tyres on each wheel....
I purchased a new Toyota Yaris TR 1.4 D4D January 2009 and after approximately 125 miles the gearbox output shaft rear bearing shattered, resulting in a vehicle recovery. My request for a replacement gearbox...
I have a BMW X5 '05 plate with 77,000 on the clock. Last night there was black smoke coming from the car, which then resulted in a scary scenario where the engine was running off its own oil at full revs...
I have received a renewal application for my photocard driving licence which has now expired. However, my paper licence does not expire until 2015. Am I legally allowed to drive on this paper licence or...
In January 2011 my wife and I are taking an extended holiday in New Zealand. We will be away from mid January until early April. We have two cars, a Mitsubishi Colt 1.0 petrol and a BMW 320d Touring. What...
I recently bought a 2003 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 and it came with no user manual. Do you know where or how I could get hold of one?
I bought a 1999 Ford Mondeo 1.8i two weeks ago for £895 from a dealer. I was told it would be serviced and, for them, safety was paramount and that I would not have a problem with this car. At first I...
I recently bought a Honda Accord 2007 2.2 CDTi Sport and cannot use the hands-free telephone, as it says the system is locked. I tried contacting the previous owner but it turns out it was a lease vehicle...
I'm considering selling my W-reg Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed (owned from new and a sheer joy) for a new Giulietta. There's a firm on the web which is offering more than £2000 off dealer list price, and although...
Can you modify the Hilux to be able to increase its towing capacity above 2250kg?
hip, hip, hooray. The despicable, rip-off stealth tax on property HIPS scheme is being abolished by Cameron and partners. I had one done when we wanted to sell. The inspector spent all of five minutes...
I have had a Citroen C1 for the last year, but am now looking for a slight upgrade that will provide a more comfortable ride without burning a hole in my pocket. I have been looking at the new Ka and Clio....
I bought my 2007 Ford Focus Cabriolet 2 two years ago (yes, the roof was leaking and Ford repaired it before I took it home) and I am very happy with it. But the two-tone alloy wheels are starting to blister....
Having previously enjoyed an Audi A4 2.7TDI (190BHP) Multitronic and returned an average fuel consumption over 25,000 miles of 43.5 MPG, which pretty much matched the manufacturers data, I recently changed...
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