Questions from August 2010
I have just passed my driving test (I'm 37, an ex-biker) and will be emigrating to Sweden in October for over a year. I would like to know if there are any considerations regarding owning a car abroad?...
The front suspension on my 2003 Peugeot 406 HDI 90hp collapsed on the passenger side of the car whilst on holiday. I got a local garage to replace the coil springs and struts/shock absorbers on both sides...
I see the prices for Saab 9-5 are the best around secondhand for a good family estate. I have £7000 and do not know which engine or year to look into. Is there anything I should watch out for?
I am a 19-year-old lad who has had a 1.0-litre 3-door T-reg Volkswagen Polo for 18 months now, and I am looking to move on to something bigger and more powerful. With insurance, tax, service costs, street...
I have just replaced my Citroen Xsara Picasso with a new Citroen C3 Picasso HDI VTR+ (influenced by your review). I am extremely pleased with it apart from one niggling feature - I can't keep the radio...
My 05 Honda Accord Estate CDTi was recently badly damaged by another driver while it was legally parked and unattended. My insurance company are almost certain the other driver's insurer will concede fault...
My Mercedes-Benz E220 is very slow when under acceleration.
We have two cars - a 2006 Honda Accord Tourer 2.4 Exec auto with 25,000 miles, and a 55-plate Honda Jazz 1.4 SE Auto with 7000 miles, first registered January 2006. My wife no longer wishes to drive, so...
I intend to change my 2001 BMW 530i Touring (73,000 miles) for either an Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate. I have always driven petrol-engined cars and since I don't do a lot of miles the extra...
I have had a T-reg Citroen Xantia 1.9TDI for a couple of years and had to change the fan heater twice because it didn't always come on. It now won't work at all and I have been told its the sensors. Have...
A puddle of water has appeared in the nearside front footwell of my 1999 Ford Focus hatchback. The rear nearside footwell is also very wet. The car has not been used in the rain, but it has rained heavily...
I have just had my Peugeot 306 GTI's head gasflowed with better cams. When I got it back I realised that on top of the valves there is a little dome recess. On one set of valves they are small and the...
I have just been locked out of my 2006 Volkswagen Touran (just out of warranty). The key fob works but the key would not fit into the ignition. The garage has said that a spring within the barrel/ignition...
I'm stranded locally in my 2007 Volvo V50 with no bite on the gears. The clutch has not gone to the floor like it does when it's dead, and the gears still can be found too. There's just no response in...
Just wanted a bit of advice of where I stand. I bought an 04-reg Porsche 997 Carrera 2 with 42,000 miles from a reputable indy, and after four months of ownership and just over 2000 miles the clutch needs...
I'd like to organise some lessons for my son before his 17th birthday, on private roads or a circuit somewhere, so that when he goes for his first on-road lessons he's a little more certain of himself....
I can't for the life of me see why my Fiesta 1.4 TDCI rev limiter needs to be set to 5000rpm. I understand that it shows to the customer that the car really has a flexible engine and allows for an impressive...
We have a 52-reg Nissan Almera Tino which has been causing us some big problems since earlier this year. On starting the engine, it can sometimes take up to 60 seconds before the engine will turn over....
We have a Volkswagen Eos Sport 2-litre TDI purchased in March 2007. The vehicle is used as a second car and has done 19,000 miles only. The ESP fault light has come on permanently and the Volkswagen dealer...
Our daughter is bringing her five-year-old, three-year-old and nine-month-old children over from Australia for a month. Do we need an MPV for the three children plus three or four adults? Which would you...
My wife and i recently bought a three-door BMW 1 Series. This vehicle should be sold with a health warning. The front seats have a hole in the upholstery right in the lumbar area, and are not fit for purpose....
I have a 56-plate Citroen C5 2.2 diesel. A very annoying squeak has developed from the rear of the car. There is also a clunking / grating sound when cornering, but the squeak is ever-present. The car...
I am considering buying a 1993 (L-reg) 87,500-mile Renault Clio 1.4 automatic for my son to learn to drive in. It looks to be in excellent condition but I have read that these models have autobox troubles....
I bought a new Nissan X-Trail in November 2004 and subsequently read, with some trepidation, comments about turbo reliability. Recently, at 54,000 miles, mine failed and was repaired at a cost of £1600....
I recently part-exchanged a five-year-old motorcycle against a new one and asked the dealer to arrange transfer of my cherished number. The new bike was delayed, so to save time I agreed they could transfer...
Could it be possible that a tyre sensor could go wrong or need replacing if it has not been used for a while? I had the tyres changed on my 2003 BMW 330 CSI and they only had three metal valves, so one...
I have a Ford Mondeo, five years old, 48,000 miles. A warning light appeared on my dash which signifies 'Engine Malfunction'. The car drives as normal, and the oil is ok. Any suggestions please?
I have a 1999 2.5TD Chrysler Grand Voyager with running problems. It will start, drive and run perfect for weeks at at time, and then go crazy and cut out and stall. Sometimes it starts fine, and sometimes...
On 14 June I took my 2005 1-litre Vauxhall Corsa to a local Vauxhall garage, as it had developed an oil leak that needed investigating. I was told the car needed a new timing chain, breather hoses and...
Back in March 2010 I received a NIP stating my car had been photographed doing 45mph in a 30 mph zone. I had recently acquired the vehicle and on that day I had met up with two other family members. After...
Do I need to change my SEAT Altea's timing belt? It is a 1.9TDI which is four years old and has done 19,000 miles. The SEAT dealer say I should change it either at 80,000 miles or four years old. They...
Good to see you liked the new Skoda Fabia vRS 1.4TSI in your recent review - will you be doing a full road test/video? I'm seriously interested in ordering the slightly quirky Estate/Combi version. There's...
I ordered a new Audi TT back in June for delivery next week, and although committed to the deal, I would very much welcome your view on how good (or bad) it is. I ordered a new (2011 model) Audi TT 2.0T...
I'm thinking of buying an MG ZT-T. What common problems are there? Are parts expensive? Running costs? Or are they to be avoided? Its a 2005 with 49,000 miles, 2.5-litre petrol for £3995.
I leased a new Audi A6 Avant 2.0TDI Multitronic from my local dealership in March 2010 under a personal lease. Two weeks ago I noticed that the gearbox was slipping between gears (like riding the clutch...
I ordered my Hyundai ix35 in March 2010 and still no delivery date.
I'm trying to track down the book that Phil Llewellyn wrote about his various motoring escapades around the world. It doesn't help that I can't remember the title. Can you help?
I have had my new BMW 320d about eight weeks now and covered nearly 5000 miles. It has been back to BMW three times and I am currently trying to get my finance company to investigate. This model, being...
I am driving to the French Alps this winter and am visiting several ski resorts. I have a 2007 Audi RS4 and am concerned about icy/snowy roads. It is my understanding that all cars must carry snow chains...
My Hyundai i10 is beginning to give me starting problems, intermittently. Its a March 2010 model with only 600 miles on the clock. I mainly do short runs but have taken it on a 40-mile long run at varying...
My Peugeot 406 2.0 GLX's air conditioning and heater control doesn't work. Why?
I am after a proper used 4x4 for less than £5000 that will be worth its while in all weathers (I have an X5 which was rubbish in the snow last year) and will be a general good load-lugger (bikes in the...
My Audi A3 1.8 Sport is W-reg, and was new in 2000. The cam belt and tensioner were replaced in 2006 at 35,705 miles. The present mileage is 59,200. Audi will replace the belt and tensioner for £299 as...
My wife's Volkswagen Polo is four years old and has done 15,500 miles. It has just had a service at a reputable local independent garage, but they did not change the fan belt. When I raised with them the...
Do you have any up to date advice as to the best brand of runflat tyres with regard to ride comfort, given the inherent stiffer ride that results from their use?
I am considering buying a small diesel hatchback of 3-5 years old for lower tax and higher mpg. Do you have any recommendations?
Do you know what the MPG is on a Vauxhall Isignia 2.0CDTI Exclusiv?
My Citroen Picasso's clutch is shaking when putting into gear. Also, it is hard to get into gear.
Internet dealers quote keen prices but most are "pre-reg" meaning no V5C for several months. With £20,000 or more sent in advance of seeing car and then no document, is this wise or safe?
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