Questions from May 2011
When a fatal accident occurs the police close the road for up to ten hours to investigate a possible 'crime scene’, but a serious crime, if any, is seldom detected. This may be all right where there are...
I bought a new Volkswagen Polo SEL 1.6 CR/DPF 90PS 5-speed manual in November 2010. It now has 1,500 miles on the clock. It stalled at a junction soon after I bought it, then a few months later the engine...
I have a 2005 Audi Avant A4 2.0T petrol, having on your advice changed from diesels as I now do much less mileage. I have owned it for two and a half years and the service handbook indicates a cam belt...
What is this latest nonsense of classifying passing on the nearside as careless driving? On a journey from Inverness to Birmingham at the beginning of this week, I must have undertaken 30 - 40 vehicles...
I was surprised last week when my 2006 CLK Mercedes-Benz, with fewer than 15,000 miles, failed its MOT because both of the front seatbelts had some fraying (seven inches). The local dealership does not...
My daughter has had a 2009 1.6 Zetec Ford Focus for about 16 months, purchased from a Ford dealer with about 3,500 miles recorded when acquired. Soon after she took possession, she complained that the...
My brother-in-law had an alleged fine imposed by Lidl when shopping there. He has shown me your Telegraph column of 30 April. As a CAB supervisor I have always found it effective to write back to these...
I refer specifically to an item under the heading 'Suffolk Punch' on Saturday 23 April 2011. Please advise the title of the legislation said to be launched recently to come into force this Spring. I have...
What is the maximum permitted trailer weight when towing with a Category B licence? How does this change when the licence holder has categories B and E? I have been unable to find anyone who can supply...
I need to sell my beloved Audi A2 quickly. Is there a special following for this car? Where could I advertise it? It’s a 2005 1.4 SE TDI with low mileage and full service history.
I usually agree with your advice, but on the subject of BMW runflats my own experience leads me to disagree. Just over a year ago I bought a 335i SE with 18-inch rims and second generation Bridgestone...
I have recently changed to a new C-Max 5-seat 1.6 diesel. This is my first diesel and I am grateful for several tips via your column, particularly the recent one about letting out the clutch at idle revs...
You may remember that I wrote to you some time ago about the difficulties my invalid partner and I experience locally with speed humps. I write to inform you that all is not lost. After months of complaining...
I am looking to replace my 2003 Suzuki Liana, which has given me 63,000 miles of trouble-free motoring with a secondhand automatic. I read that some automatics have a tendency to expire after around 50,000...
After reading BW of Plymouth’s email and your reply, I feel a little concerned. I too bought a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI DSG Match in November of 2010 from my local main dealer. On receiving the registration...
Thanks to Liverpool Victoria insurance for refunding part of my no-claim discount after an accident.
I was hit at slow speed on packed snow just before Christmas. That day, my insurer gave me details of the repair centre, which provided a replacement vehicle the next day. The Christmas and New Year holidays...
You have expressed your worries recently that manufacturer-recommended accident aftercare might be tarred with the same brush as accident management companies and credit hire operators. But the Suzuki...
I ordered a new C-Class Mercedes and one option strongly recommended by the salesman is DAB radio. I keep my cars for five years. Should I order DAB radio to avoid requiring a retro upgrade or impacting...
I have been to view a second hand Kia Picanto 2006 (06) and the engine kept cutting out whilst it was stood on the forecourt. The dealer has since rang me back to say that the problem was due to both keys...
Late in 2010 we asked HJ on advice for a 7 seater 4 x 4,which you highly recommended. My wife purchased the new Santa Fe in November & we have been very pleased with the car. It has performed everything...
I have been looking at a Mercedes Cabriolet CLK 200K Avangarde Auto. It is an 09 plate with 10k on the clock and is priced at £18,999. I like the style and ambience of the car, but is it a good buy at...
A reflection on the damage that may be caused by bad road surfaces. In Ottawa, Canada, we lived in a seven-storey apartment building in a residential area. The road was not especially busy but single-decker...
What is wrong with people who misfuel their cars? Do they not understand there are things you just do not do? I find it difficult to believe that such people actually are allowed on the roads. Please allay...
I am experiencing issues with my Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16v, which manifest themselves as 'chugging' or hesitating. This initially started on acceleration only but has got steadily worse to the point where...
In a local BMW/MINI showroom is an X-reg Mini Cooper Sports (as per badge on the boot). It is apparently one of the last original Minis to come off the production line. It has only done 26 miles from new...
The Blue Badge Scheme, a much-valued facility, is sadly abused by some. It is mal-administered with varying degrees of inefficiency and bumbledom by County Councils throughout the country. I wrote to my...
I'm writing to thank you for your column in Saturday's Telegraph and the car reviews on your website. Both have informed me with unbiased information and led me to buy the new Hyundai i10 Active Auto for...
My Saab 9-3 1.9TiD was due for a new cam belt at 72,000 so it went to our local garage at 71,000 two weeks ago. Service as well. I duly paid £405 and collected it when ready. Last Tuesday I was driving...
I have recently bought a Skoda Fabia Greenline II estate, having run a Greenline I estate for nearly three years and easily achieved the stated combined mpg of 68.9. It was therefore with confidence that...
I have been having problems with the airbag warning light since last September on my 50,000 mile 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK 350. The light has been on for the majority of the time and four repairs have so...
I am about to change the complete set of tyres for my Porsche 911 993. I currently have Contisport Contact N1. Assuming all the N-rated tyres from all the big manufacturers are of roughly equal performance...
I had to hire a car this week. The firm asked to see my licence and the paper part, both of which they photocopied. That’s ok, but am I entitled to ask for this copy to be returned to me when I finish...
I am trying to obtain an explanation for the following. I recently sold my S-Type Jaguar, which was listed as having a CO2 emission of CO2 g/km of 274 and paid £245 for the tax renewal in 09/2010. I then...
I have had Skoda Octavia TDI 1.9 Ambiente hatchback for almost eleven years and now I am going to buy a Skoda Octavia TDI 1.6. Ambiente hatchback.
What is the difference between these two cars?
I have...

