Questions from January 2011
I am 78. use a stick and wish to change my automatic diesel Ford Mondeo Ghia (04) for something with good access, a boot big enough and accessible enough to take a folded wheelchair (which I shall require...
I have a three-year-old Vauxhall Astra Estate on 18,600 miles. My two front tyres will need replacing in the next 1000-1500 miles. My spare in the boot is unused. Is there any reason why I cannot/should...
We bought an '07-plate VW Golf from a dealer four months ago. The ESP and ABS light came on, and they've said since our warranty is out they won't fix it. They've said to contact VW dealer, but want £75...
How can I tell if the DMF burnt out the clutch or if the clutch destroyed the DMF?
I am being accused of driver error and therefore responsible, but I have been informed by experienced mechanics that...
I bought my kia when it was just a year old from a Kia (group) dealer on the Isle of Wight and it had done just 8000 miles.
It was fine at first but soon things started to go wrong including; rust, wheel...
I asked a sales executive at a Chevrolet dealership where the Chevrolet Spark was assembled.
To my amazement he replied that he did not think it was important that I knew that point!
When pressed again...
I agreed a part exchange value with a local garage for my wife's car. The deal was done and she collected her new pride and joy. The next day the garage called to say that they want a cash contribution...
My short list for purchasing a new 4x4 is a Nissan Juke, Hyundai ix35 or Qashqai in that order. Fuel consumption is a factor, the Juke is petrol (37mpg combined) diesel Qashqai & ix35 (40mpg). I have read...
Hoping you can help. I have two questions:
1. My car (new 520DSE) is normally very quiet and smooth. However, the engine noise rises and the smoothness is lost on a regular basis (every fortnight or...
Engine management light comes on and goes off with no loss of power. I have had the EGR valve changed, this has not stopped the problem; when having a diagnosis, it shows exhaust gases.
Driver's seat heater switch has accidentally been pushed through the dashboard. How do I gain access to reinstall?
I recently bought new front tyres (Dunlop SS Max) for my 09-plate Octiavia vRS (30K Miles).
The existing tyres were not excessively worn (5mm plus remaining), but due to the onset of winter and also increased...
I need to buy, by HP over 3 years, my first company car.
It's a small family partnership and I've got a budget of approx £21k plus £2k that I can put in. I'll need to cover 20k miles a year, carry a...
I have a Nissan Micra 2003 new-shape which has been OK for at least a year, but is now having starting problems.
It will not start at all. I called the AA out, but they cannot find anything wrong. On...
I purchased this vehicle new from a local dealer just over three years ago.
Over the last 18 months I have returned it to the service department on four occasions, because of large quantities of water...
Buying a small family car, automatic, with good fuel economy for under £10k. What would you suggest?
I have up to £10,000 to spend on a used car. My wife, who will do most of the driving, can only use automatics. We will do less than 8000 miles per year, but fuel economy (both urban and motorway) is very...
After a recent service I was advised that the official agent recommended a cambelt change at either four years or 40,000 miles - a charge of £324. The current mileage is 18.6k miles. The belt has not been...
I recently took a chance on a high mileage 07-reg Mercedes-Benz E-Class 280 CDI (103k miles at three years), based on your hypothesis that oil degrades less with very high mileage driving. The car has...
I own a 51-plate 2.0i Accord Auto SE Exec hatchback. Which one-year-old make/model would be a suitable reliable equivalent replacement since Honda discontinued the Accord Hatch and I like the five-door...
Just read your review of BMW 3-Series Coupe (E92) and you list the available 335 engines, both petrol and diesel as having all wheel drive options. Is this option available in the UK as it is not mentioned...
My Mazda MX-5 is used only at weekends and often even less frequently. It's parked on the street. Over Christmas/New Year, the battery went flat and had to be started with jump leads. I've been told by...
I currently have a Renaultsport Clio 200, but unfortunately I will have to sell due to my new company's policy of insisting on cars with a minimum of four doors. I have a bike so a boot is mandatory, but...
Key with a remote control fell in the water. I dried out the key, changed the battery and it's still not working - I need to open the car manually with key as the remote is not working.
I have a Ford Focus C-MAX 1.8 TDCi Zetec 48,000 miles with small end failure.
I bought the car from a main dealer as a Ford Demostrator at 10,000 miles so the mileage should be correct. The first two...
Firstly thanks for your Saturday column in the Telegraph. Saturday not the same without it!
After a hard Winter and being a senior senior citizen, I am fed up of the doubts about getting about. So I am...
I have read many times in your Saturday column about left-foot braking with automatics.
As you suggested, I tried it on a quiet road and I'm glad I did. I nearly went through the windscreen.
Unlike...
I would like to sell my left-hand drive Renault Clio. Dealers offer very little as part exchange. My car is registered in England and has a full service history. I am the first owner. Are there any reliable...
How do you tell who is paying for their own fuel and who is in a company car?
The owner driver is doing 90kph.
The company car is doing 90mph.
What is it with modern car seats and watermarks? They are the bain of my life! My question is, how do I get rid of them? I've tried Autoglym shampoo and other branded cleaners, but I can't seem to get...
The power steering has started to go on me when I'm going round sharp corners, especially in the wet.
Also the battery light has been sometimes flashing up as well as the engine warning light. There...
My VW Polo 1.4 N-reg has just failed its MOT on emissions test. How can I get it to comply?
My parked car was recently hit and the driver did not stop but a neighbour took the number plate
I phoned the police and reported what had happened.
A couple of days later I received an unsolicited call...
A local dealer is looking for £11,750 for the above. Is this a fair price, please?
What is the most economical used car, big enough to take golf clubs and motorised trolley in the back?
The original engine in the car has developed a loud knock soon after turbo replacement. Mazda agents have said they cannot determine the cause without stripping down. I cannot afford this! Paid £7000 for...
I'm thinking of a 09/59 Kia Cee'd, largely due to the seven-year warranty (or remainder of).
Unsure on 1.6 diesel or 1.6 petrol. We do around 8-10000 miles per year, mostly town driving and school run...
I am thinking about buying a Peugeot 207 HDI 90, but have read many reports regarding problems with clutch judder. How significant and wide spread are these reports?
I do not wish to part with money only...
I have just signed a credit agreement for an 09-plate Hyundai Santa Fe. During the process I noticed on the website that it said remainder manufacturer's warranty.
When I asked about this, just before...
My Mazda headlights (main beam and dipped) stopped working the other day, but I still have sidelights.
I checked the fuse and it had blown. I got a new one and replaced it but the fuse blew straight away...
Warning message has come up saying blocked fuel filter. I've changed the filter already, yet still receiving message. Any ideas on how to cure it?
Not usually indecisive but can't decide whether its time to trade in my relaiable Volvo V50 2.4i for something diesel. There's quite a few good deals out there but it's never put a foot wrong in 102,000...
I wanted to ask you a favor, I have read few 2012 Ford Focus reviews and everyone say it's comfortable and the build quality is fantastic, but almost everyone say that old car was more engaging to drive.
I...
A silly question, but could you please tell me if the Kia Sportage 1.7 two-wheel drive can go into four-wheel drive by the press of a switch? I'm going to buy one of these cars, but not quite sure which...
Is the VAG 1.4 TSI engine any good? Looking to change car, I do 15,000 to 20,000 a year.
I need a bigger car to replace my 05-plate Golf.
My wife's car is insured through Kwikfit 'insurance'. She received a telephone call this week from someone who said he was calling on behalf of Kwikfit and offering GAP insurance. My wife declined and...
I have a SEAT Altea 1.9 TDI 2006, which has done 20k miles. The alternator warning light was making a faint glow on the dash.
I took it into the SEAT dealer and at first they couldn't find anything wrong...
We on the SEATCupra.net website are finding a lot of "coil pack failures", but the fault appears secondary to oil leakage into the packs. This is on the new 2.0 TSI engines.
Do you have any supportive...
Having replaced the battery in my Ford Focus Zetec car fob, the remote still will not open the car and the alarm sounds as if the key is not put in the ignition in time.
The spare key is not a remote...
Is it possible to replace the front seats in a brand new Mazda 6 with something more comfortable? I find the base a bit narrow to sit on. I could use a cushion, but I'd prefer a more luxurious seat. Age...
To replace a company car, I will be buying a used large family car. It needs to be automatic, with low depreciation over two years as I only intend to keep it that long. I have £12,000 to spend and would...
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