Questions from July 2010
I've just had my 1999 Ford Escort's air conditioning serviced and the next day my blower motor stopped. It has only been working on a low setting for some time, so I am thinking the resistor has gone....
Why is my Citroen's heater/cooler fan always blowing hot even when set to cold?
My HGV licence has expired as I've not used it in many years. Do I need to sit my HGV test again and do I need a CPC, as I passed my test in 1975?
Our 1999 Peugeot 406 just locked up the parking brake in our driveway, so we can't move it at all. How can we get it released in order to take it in for repairs? I haven't taken the wheels off because...
A year ago we purchased a Citroen C3 Rhythm 1.4 petrol. It was first registered in July 2008 and has now done 20,000 miles. On three occasions we have queried with the dealership the sharpness of the brakes....
I was informed by a garage representative that our Volkswagen T5 Transporter van requires a new engine and turbo due to metal contamination in the oil (an unknown internal problem) and a new manifold due...
I have just been summonsed to appear in court after going through a red light. The red light I went through is at a big junction with multiple lights and is very confusing. It shows on the camera image...
We are experience a continuing groaning noise when bringing our 2004 KIA Sedona automatic to a stop. We have been back and forth to our local dealership with no joy. We have had the front discs and pads...
I have a Nissan Micra Twister, S-reg (1998 model) manual, 1.0-litre engine. When I start it, pressing down the clutch pedal (whether in neutral or in gear), the pedal feels some resistance and engine produces...
I have a 320d SE BMW Touring on an 04 plate. Mechanics tell me a piston has lost compression and a new or replacement engine is needed. Where can I get such a part? Do I go ahead if it's cost prohibitive,...
After listening to your advice in January, I bought a Hyundai Santa Fe although I did not take delivery until June (Hyundai are a victim of their own success). When I collected the car the salesman told...
I am looking to replace our 57-plate Mercedes-Benz in the next six months. I would like a comfortable and economical estate which is also an enjoyable drive. We have been slightly disappointed with the...
I have a 2008 BMW 325i coupe with 19,000 miles. I told by Sytners that all four tyres have worn on the inside. The readings are O/S 5, middle 5, I/S 0. On questioning them they say this is a fault with...
Is this a good time to buy secondhand or new as a cash buyer? We want to buy a decent 7-seater and have narrowed it down to a Vauxhall Zafira or Ford S-Max. Ideally we want a high spec one (leather seats...
My partner is replacing her 5-year-old Skoda Fabia Classic with either a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Match 5-door or an Audi Sportback 1.6TDI SE. Both of these are similarly priced, however the Golf is more...
I'm not sure if I missed it, but you did a report on the KIA Sportage 2010 at their test track. I recall you also saying you would do a report on the KIA/Hyundai setup. As a potential Hyundai ix35/KIA...
I bought a 2004 Volkswagen Golf GT MkV 2004 with 42,000 miles on the clock. Volkswagen advises a cam belt change at 65,000 miles or four years, whichever is earlier. This car is six years old and has no...
Would the 2006 Audi A6 2.0 TDI SE have the refined oil pump? I am thinking of buying one with high mileage because of my budget and I'm going to use it as a taxi. Obviously it's got to be reliable and...
I'm looking at buying a 2003 Focus 1.6 Ghia with 79,000 miles on the clock. When should we change the cam belt, or should it have been changed by now?
I have a 2-litre petrol Hyundai Tucson due a 50,000-mile service. The schedule recommends replacement of the timing belt, which the main dealer will fit. However, a non-franchised dealer recommends a full...
I just bought a 2002 Peugeot 307 1.6 GLX petrol with service stamps in the book, but no record of a timing belt change. The car is coming up for 75,000 miles and I am unsure whether the belt has been changed....
I have had a tow bar fitted to my Corsa, and when I attach the cycle carrier base to the tow bar it partially obscures the bottom of the year of registration mark. When I am carrying my bicycle I have...
Is it possible to claim for an increase in premium as a result of non-fault accidents? My car was involved in two non-fault accidents, one in December 2008 and one in February 2009. In both situations...
Like many other law abiding drivers I'm often overtaken by other cars and, more often than not, LGVs, on motorways that have average speed cameras. Most of them are travelling at least 10 or 15 mph more...
Every year I try and buy my car insurance online. Problem is, when it comes to the specifics of my car it never appears on their drop-down list. Who creates this information, and how can I have my cars...
I am thinking of buying a Honda Civic Hybrid or a Volvo C30. Why is the Honda so cheap (and with this week's offers even cheaper)? A local Honda dealer is offering me a Civic Hybrid 2009 SE with 4700 miles...
I want to export cars from your country to Lithuania. The cars have to be without tax and I want to find a dealer who can to sell to me.
On my 2004 Ford Galaxy's air conditioning setting 'AUTO', the lowest ambient temp (ambient) is 18 degrees Centigrade. Is there a way of lowering the temp settings?
Where's the starter motor in a Nissan Primera 1.8 year 2000 5-door hatch?
My Skoda Fabia's key fob won't open the doors and if I use key then only one door will open. I have twice changed the fuse box. When in the car the locks won't shut or open. The door light, if open, won't...
Can you please tell me where the speedo pick-up is on a 2008 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi?
Last week a car drove into the back of my daughter's Fiat Cinquecento. The driver, whose details we have, stated that he would pay the cost of repairs, estimated at about £350. The driver has now decided...
In your opinion, what do you think is the worst ever car to roll off the production line? I personally think it is the horrendous Perodua Kenari or Reva G-Wiz, but what do you think personally is the worst...
I have a 1.8TD Ford Sierra estate, 1990 H-reg. Do you know how much fuel it can hold?
As a parent-to-be, I have found out that the boot of my BMW 320d Touring is not going to be big enough to accommodate anything other than a small pram. I'm therefore looking for something with more boot...
I am after a 4x4 and I've got around £4000 to spend. I've being doing a lot of research on the net and have looked at, and test driven, a few, including the Nissan Patrol, Daihatsu Fourtrak and Mitshubshi...
I recently almost bought a silver 2006 BMW 330i M Sport coupe for £9400, but I pulled out because of the mileage - it had covered 91,000 miles. What do you think of such a purchase, of a fairly young car...
When my daughter took her N-reg Fiesta to university I put an extra gloss protection on the bonnet expecting her (correctly!) to never wash the car. She is now home for the summer and the bonnet is a mess!...
I note that Volvo have announced their 2011 range and have made their 2.0 and 2.4 diesel engines Euro 5 compliant, ie D3 (2.0), D4 (163bhp) and D5 (205bhp), but have left their 1.6D Drive as Euro 4 compliant....
Could you repeat for me the position re being fined for overstaying on a supermarket carpark?
I was parked in a local retail park but overstayed. A notice was left on my car to advise but I have now received a parking notice for £70.00 to be paid in the next 28 days, but if I pay earlier the fee...
My Golf 1.4 TSI (09) is an excellent car, with only one flaw - the steering. Your website review identifies its lack of enthusiasm in turning corners and failure to track a straight line accurately. My...
I have an old Mercedes-Benz ML 270 with alloy wheels taking tyres size 255/60 R17. I use it in the winter to pull a little trailer with the horse manure from a very muddy park. Last winter, I planted it...
I recently had an accident in a works van so my boss accordingly made a claim to cover the cost of the damage. Do I have to declare this when I renew my own private insurance, as the claim was made on...
At 31,907 miles on the clock, the clutch on my Alfa Romeo 147 JTD 1.9 seems to have failed. The dealer has said that if, on examination, it is clutch failure, then I am responsible. The car is within manufacturers'...
Five weeks ago I bought a 2009 Volvo XC70 from a Volvo garage. I was told it had two years of Volvo guarantee. However I found, after a week, that the service had not been done on time. Today I heard from...
A thrown-up stone caused a chip on the base of my Honda CR-V's windscreen and apparently it's too small to be repaired. Would say clear nail varnish provide an adequate repair?
I was thinking of having my 1998 2-litre petrol Mazda Bongo converted to LPG to save money. Is this one of my better ideas?
I'm looking for a 1991-1999 W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. I've seen two 1997 models, both of which had rust problems around the wheel arches. Can you tell me in which year Mercedes-Benz started producing...
I need to replace a timing belt on my Peugeot TUD5 and have a few questions. When the timing belt broke would it be possible that the valves got bent at the same time the belt broke? Is there some diagram...
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