Questions from August 2010
We have twin boys who will be 17 in September. Obviously they would like to learn to drive. However, insurance is likely to be a big issue. Would it be better to name them both as learner drivers on our...
We bought a 2006 SEAT Leon 2.0 TDi Stylance in January 2010. It's an excellent car, but there's a horrendous loud rumbling from the rear tyres. It's at it's worst at 50mph, so if you're say on the M4 in...
I would like to get a used Jaguar X-Type estate. I have £8000 and wondered which would be the best for my money. It would be used as a family car and would do less than 10,000 miles a year, mostly urban....
We have just purchased an S-reg Mitsubishi Shogun Challenger 3.0 6V and find that the fan is running constantly. We contacted the dealer we purchased it from who informs us that this is normal for this...
My partner has a Volkswagen Eos 2.0 TDI 140 PS DSG and I have a Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI 140 PS Manual. She pays £200 a year car tax and I pay £155. We did wonder why the car tax should be different....
My local dealer is giving a good discount on the Volkswagen Jetta 1.4.TSI 160ps. This seems to be a lot of power from a small engine. Are there any reliability or longevity problems with this engine?
I have had a Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCI Titanium purchased new in February of this year. After four or five weeks, I could hear a quiet-ish ticking noise when the engine speed reached 1500 rpm (in any gear)....
With a comprehensive car insurance policy do I need legal assistance as an extra? If I take out legal assistance, is it related to the car and that policy, or to the named individuals on that policy? If...
My car went into a local garage for a replacement radiator. When I collected the car the air conditioning wasn't working and the next day a coolant warning light came on. I took the car back to the garage...
I have had my Alfa Romeo MiTo serviced this week. It is it's first service. It was bought in May 2009 and has done just short of 20,000 miles. I took it for its service and when I came to pay the total...
I have a V-reg Ford Focus 1.8 TDi. The turbo went and covered the whole engine in oil, so I had that replaced and the engine cleaned off, but now i have a problem where I will be driving and the only way...
I set off in my 55-plate Ford Ka in first gear, and found the engine roared and the gear took a few seconds to engage. A few minutes later on the motorway, when changing from fourth to fifth, it happened...
I would appreciate your advice on sourcing a replacement cup holder unit for my 2004 BMW 5 Series 525i. I have managed to get the existing broken unit out near the driver's side and wish to buy a replacement....
Is the VAG 1.2 TSI 85/105bhp engine chain or belt cam drive?
I love my X-reg 1.25 Fiesta Zetec, but it's definitely starting to show its age and I think it's about time I replaced it. Ideally I'd like to buy a new Fiesta, but I'm not sure which spec would best suit...
My dad's looking to buy a old 1998 Rover 200 1.6 auto. The seller isn't sure if it has the Honda engine or not. How can we find out?
My intercooler has been contaminated with oil and bits of turbo. I asked my warranty company whether, if a piece of the old turbo gets into the new turbo e.g from the intercooler, I would be covered in...
Why is the engine in my Volkswagen bay window camper revving too much?
We bought a used Toyota Yaris T3 last November as a second car with one previous owner. We are now thinking of passing it on. It is a five-door model with a full Toyota service history. It is a 55-plate,...
I'm considering buying a delivery mileage (400 miles) car that is now 13 months old. I'm told it's an ex-management car, and so has been parked up. I asked about fluid change and salesman says it's not...
Have you heard of anyone who may have pursued rectification of the ABS module problem on MkV Volkswagen Golfs through the "Sale of Goods Act 1979" as this is obviously an inherent fault? The reason I ask...
My daughter bought a Corsa 1.2 on an 05 plate with 24,000 miles. l have noticed that the engine is quite noisy when we are driving - is this normal?
Why does my 2006 Ford Mondeo keep blowing back light bulbs?
In September 2008 I bought a used 2007 Peugeot 207GT and was delighted with it. However, over the last few months it has developed a significant power loss problem that Peugeot only seem capable of fixing...
I am looking for advice on buying a cheap (fully depreciated) but reliable workhorse for very occasional trips to garden centres and still capable of (very infrequently) ferrying four people in comfort....
My car was written off as a Category D. It was stolen and recovered, then just returned to me after four months. The insurance company never paid out, so now I have a Cat D car and I don't know what to...
How do I check the gearbox oil in my 53-reg Vauxhall Zafira?
I replaced a six-year-old Nissan X-Trail with a new top of the range Tekna model in April 2010 and diligently read the manual to cope with all the gizmos. I found the manual was inaccurate about air con...
I'm thinking of buying a Volkswagen Passat CC GT TDI 170 with the following options: Park Assist, Rear View Camera, Multi Device Interface, RCD 510 Dynaudio sound pack, DAB and MP3 compatible 6 CD changer,...
I'm looking to buy a Honda Civic Type R GT as the best balance (as far as I can see) between performance, looks and practicality out there at the moment. Essentially I am looking for any buying advice...
My wife has been driving a Suzuki Swift 1.5 for four years and is now looking to update. She ideally would like a five-door hatchback that has less road noise and is a little softer on her bones. She drives...
I have a 2008 2.0 Volkswagen Passat TDI that I have just taken for its second service with 24,000 miles on the clock. When I picked up my car, I was informed that the front discs would need replacing as...
We have been sent a letter with photos from Ministerio Del Interior Leon Spain about a speeding fine we seem to have incurred whilst driving in Menorca. The date quoted is when we were in the area of Menorca....
I had a service carried out on my Peugeot 207 sport 1.6D, and as part of that service the oil and filter was changed. After two days I checked the oil and found it to be black. Is this normal? My first...
My girlfriend has a been provided with a courtesy car whilst awaiting her money back on a new vehicle - the dealer in question is one of the national Volkswagen franchises who have given her numerous reasons...
My 2003 Volkswagen Polo has 18,000 miles and over the last 5000 miles has developed a tapping noise from what I thought was the valve gear, as it sounded a bit like a hydraulic tappet - the noise rises/falls...
I'm looking at buying a Mazda MX-5 Monaco and wondered what the current valuation is? Also, what should I be looking for when viewing this model?
I have had the seal replaced on the driver's door electric window on my three-month-old new Polo SEL. A week or so after that, I noticed that whenever I drive I now get the headlights on as well as the...
We have a 55-reg Modus, a good car. It's done 30,000 miles. The main garage is saying car is overdue for a cam belt change. Is this about right? I read that you also suggest renewing other parts at the...
I want to buy a BMW 840 which has done 133,000 miles. I'm not sure about the fuel consumption, as some say it does 16mpg. Can you please advise?
I am a car dealer and have recently sold a car to someone (about two months, three weeks ago). They have never contacted me until yesterday 10/08/2010 .They emailed me saying that they wanted to reject...
I am PCO registered for private hire, and I also cater for weddings in my Morris Minors and I would be grateful if you could let me know if you know anyone that does private hire cover for such cars? There...
Can you turn off the traction control due to it not having a switch?
My Vauxhall Meriva's ESP light has been coming on and off since June 24. I phoned the RAC out three times, and they said the first and second time that the steering was ok, and then 10 minutes after the...
I have a Ford Mondeo Ghia 2001. The air conditioning was working, then started to blow warm, so I got it re-gassed. Then it blew cold for a couple of days, and then warm again. There used to be a sound...
I have an S-reg Renault Scenic. My speedometer only works for two or three miles and then drops back down to zero, and stays there. Have you any advice?
My Renault Scenic recently had an issue where the handbrake cut in and would not allow the car to move. After contacting the dealer we were told to drive it backwards and forwards, as this would release...
I've got a couple of problems with water coming into my Renault Scenic and sitting in the driver's footwell, and in the storage holes in the back. Is there anything I can check to stop this happening?...
I recently fitted a new EGR valve to my Vauxhall Zafira, but since I got it done the following happens. When starting there is occasionally white smoke, followed by irregular idling until the engine is...
There are two relays in the engine compartment of my Peugeot 206. They are in the wiring loom behind the nearside headlight in grey connectors. One has burnt out but I can't find out what they do. Can...
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