Trending topics in December 2010
Questions from December 2010
My 80-year-old wife has a 2002 Nissan Micra, current mileage 10,172 after eight years. Use is almost entirely local (surgery, shopping, visiting friends, etc.). It fully satisfies her requirements for...
I just had my AA renewal through and at £273 I think it’s a bit much (Roadside; Home start; Relay; breakdown repair cover). Who do you recommend these days?
When purchasing a new car, can you please advise me of my consumer rights in the following circumstances: the vehicle is not to the specification ordered, or the vehicle has been damaged during delivery.
I have followed your advice on winter tyres, which have transformed my 7-year-old Volvo V40 in the snow and ice. I thank you, but please could you explain why you advise winter tyres 'on a separate set...
Earlier this year my wife and I were on holiday in East Yorkshire. On our return home we found a letter from an insurance claimer stating that our car had hit another car in Liverpool on a day when we...
I am a supporter of these where can I get some from and is it a requirement to have them on steel rims my tyres are 175 / 65 R14 The car is an 08 Daihatsu Sirion 1.5.
For some weeks now you have been advocating the use of winter tyres. I have heard recently, however, that some insurance companies regard the fitting of such tyres as a 'modification' and in the event...
I bought a new Audi A4 2.0 TFSI (211) Multitronic in May last year. In winter weather I missed my old 2.5 auto X-Type, which had AWD and seemed much more sure-footed. I have found the A4 difficult to control...
My fiancee has previously been paying approximately £500 a year to insure her car. In October she unfortunately suffered a collision that resulted in her insurance company, Elephant, writing off the car...
I am thinking of replacing my ageing MGB roadster with a Mercedes-Benz SL320. I have been told that these cars have a timing chain rather than a cam belt. I have queried this with my local Mercedes-Benz...
I bought my i20 last year and love it - you were very helpful. Anyway, I have just read an email and in your reply you say "the larger, Punto-sized Hyundai i20 1.2 is also in the £30 tax bracket". Well...
I’m no great fan of the EU, but I think your reply to GR of Warrington blaming them for the clogging of particulate filters was a bit off the mark. Yes, the EU called for better street-level air quality...
I do not recall you ever making mention of a website called www.uknewcars.com. However, in August last year I placed an order through them for a new Volkswagen Golf (2.0 GTi diesel), on which I wanted...
In a follow up to your comment about the question about car/van hire in Malaysia and Singapore, I did this a few years ago. The cost to hire a car in Singapore was more than double the cost of hiring the...
I wish more people would understand that the staff at the DVLA are doing the best they can with, as you say, limited resources. I had to ask for two V5s for cars owned by an elderly relative suffering...
On 2 December 2010 I bought a diesel MINI Countryman ALL4. This is the first diesel-engined car I have ever bought. I am delighted with it as a car. It is comfortable and the performance is lively and...
I started a new job in Ealing in Autumn 2002. On driving the minibus the brakes failed. The repairers said it was down to foxes chewing through the brake lines. Two weeks after repair it happened again....
Each December a friend and I travel from Yorkshire to Scotland, usually in my petrol BMW 318 automatic. This year, because my car is a snow hater, we went in my friend's two-month-old diesel Hyundai i30...
I have a Peugeot 206 2.0-litre HDi, which has suddenly started using fuel excessively. What could be the cause? It used to return approx 50mpg but this has dropped significantly in just the past three...
Just a question to seek an explanation as to why my insurance company (Direct Line) are to charge me £56 to cover me for the fitting of steel wheels and winter tyres to my wife's vauxhall Zafira GSI
I...
We are about to take the plunge and buy a brand new Kia Sportage and trade in our '08 B7 Audi A4 Avant. We're undecided to go to a dealership or take the plunge and buy and sell through Buyacar.co.uk The...
I need a second electronic key for my car. Have been quoted "about £200" by the local Merc dealer. It seems expensive, but I've never had to buy one before, so do you think this is a fair price,or do you...
I'm thinking of getting winter tyres for my Toyota Corolla. Should I just get two for the driving wheels, or four all round?
I am about to enter negotiations with Masterlease as I'm hoping to buy the vehicle i've had on personal lease for the past 2 years but I don't know what to offer or how 'cheeky' I can be? They're offer...
I have a 335d touring 2008. I ordered some winter tyres from BMW on 16-inch steel wheels but they contacted me to say they would not fit because my brake calipers are too large so I need 17 in alloy wheels...
I have been an avid follower of your Telegraph column for a long time, and much appreciate the information you give. It may come as no surprise at the moment but my thoughts have turned to winter tyres....
I bought some steel wheels and tyres from Mytyres and had them delivered to their local agent. They have fitted them with the wheel nuts from the alloy wheels (Ford Focus 16in). Should I have different...
1. I have noticed that you have recommended using snow tyres instead of a 4x4, as a much cheaper and more effective measure. I purchased some snow tyres for my Skoda Superb yesterday (I live in the north...
I have recently purchased a new Jaguar XJL portfolio and love it.
The problem I have is that the dealer is trying to convince me:
a) To have it Diamond Brighted (for £400ish) saying that it will be...
My lovely new Citroen DS3 came fitted with Michelin Energy Saver tyres, 195/55 R16. At the risk of sounding like a princess, I think I could feel the bump if I ran over an ant. Also, the puppy was car...
Last Winter my otherwise fantastic Jaguar Xf proved to be undriveable in the snow, so I requisitioned my son's Hyundai Getz, an uninspiring vehicle at the best of times, and following your recommendation...
I have read all your postings re winter tyres.
Can you advise me on the best/appropriate winter tyre to buy for our Honda Jazz (2008 but new model)?
Also what sort of cost to expect to get them fitted?
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