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Questions from December 2012
I may need to replace my not-so-trusty automatic car but only have a budget of around £2500. I need an automatic gearbox (fully auto, not semi), decent 0-60 time (around 11 seconds), NCAP score of four...
I am looking for a used small car. Local daily use with occasional longer trips and to transport a four year old. Budget up to £3,000. Reliability more important than performance. What would you recommend?
Having enjoyed BMW cars for some years I have switched to Golf Plus. Very good but after the silence of my BMW the tyre noise is very irritating. What would be a wise switch?
The low level washer fluid warning light is not working. Dealer has confirmed that there is no sensor or wiring fitted to the vehicle. Ford says that this feature is not fitted to the Titanium, even though...
My son has a Volkswagen Passat on 05 plates 2.0 TDI sport with 102k. the oil pump has just failed and the new part is £1200 without fitting. the car did end up running for a few minutes after the red...
Hello,
I purchased a Mazda 6 diesel 2.2 TS2 + 5 year RAC extended warranty from The Car Shop, Swindon and took possession on 28/09/12 with a mileometer reading of 38,076 miles. On 13/12/12 the car would...
I keep getting the 'Warning: Alternator, workshop' flash up on my Ford Galaxy and then the steering goes funny?
I own a 2001 Volvo V70 2.4. The headlight main beam light works intermittently; my Volvo Garage has inspected it and has suggested a full instrument binnacle replacement at over £600. They said that a...
I was driving in a 50mph limit but I was doing more. As I saw a police car I braked, but as I was braking the police officer flashed his headlights. He didn't stop me but can they use their speed gun while...
I have a Rover 214 SEI which won't start. It pours petrol into bores on cranking, causing the plugs to foul.
I have a budget of around the £2000-3000 mark and I wanted to know what cars are quite reliable? I am a young driver so insurance needs to play a factor, also I want it cheap to run and maintain with the...
I'm looking at the Hyundai i30. Will the 1.4 petrol have plenty of power for the size of car. Or is the 1.6 diesel a better option.
We only do about 8000 to 10000 miles a year.
I have just bought (approx 1 month ago) a 59 plate Civic 2.2 CDTi from AC.
I have just noticed a little bit of rust when putting some stuff in the boot today. It is when the roof ends at the boot, behind...
What tyres should I get for my mark 2 X-Trail? Currently it's on Dunlops. In the past I have looked at surveys in Which? and Auto Express and chosen Continentals, mainly for performance in the wet. I can...
When taking my foot off throttle and depressing the clutch to change gear, there seems to be a delay in the revs falling in my Honda Jazz.
If I delay changing gear and hold the clutch down the revs fall...
I have owned my Fiat Panda 1.2 lounge for one month and am surprised at the noise when I change up at moderate revs. It sounds like a loud rattle and occurs as I lift off to change up a gear. Any idea...
I am going to give my car to my daughter but her insurance renews 10 days after mine and I don't want to renew mine for those 10 days and then cancel (expensive) or lose a year of her NCB by taking out...
On a damp morning the brakes have started to sound more scrapey that they have in the past on my MINI.
After a bit of driving it gets a bit better but the light corrosion across the disc remains on one...
HJ previously recommended a company that is superior to "webuyanycar" but works in a similar way and provides a good service and offers a realistic price. Can you please provide these details?
I have a BMW X3 2.0D which had a new turbo fitted 2010 and now although it revs well it has lost all its power.
My Father-in-Law (a 79 yr old OAP) bought his Grandson a second hand car from a local dealer in Aug 2012 so that he could get to his University placement as he is training to be a Paramedic and is posted...
I currently own a 2007 Vauxhall Corsa Club. I would like to change my car for something smaller, that handles well and has a comfortable driving position. The Corsa has a comfortable driving position,...
On 27th December, my car crashed rather noisily into a pothole. At 9.30pm, I reported the pothole online. At 10.30 the following morning, a Hampshire Council employee rang to establish the exact location,...
I just bought a second hand car from an authorised audi dealer, complete with warranty etc. The car had been originally sold by them and serviced inbetween.
The car is fine (so far) but on returning...
My son is about to turn 17 and I am looking to buy a small car for him. I don’t want to spend more that £1,000 and I need a car that is: Safe; Cheap as possible to insure; Simple to repair (I want him...
You recommended placing least-worn tyres on the rear wheels, contrary to my belief over many years driving. This was confirmed by a few other motorists of similar vintage. Could you please clear this matter...
I'm looking for a car that will take four people and their luggage on holiday to southern Spain. I need comfortable seats and a smooth ride. Cruise control is essential. In the past I've done the journey...
My daughter who lives near Henley has recently got an academic job at Oxford that requires her to commute there on most days. Her venerable 1998R Nissan Almera is still reliable but has very expensive...
We have a 3-year old Audi Q5 that has done 55,000 miles. The tyres on it are 285/30 ZR 22, for which we can’t seem to get hold of replacements. Will other tyres fit?
When we input the car registration...
One of your readers letters extolled the virtue of running older cars. Like you, I remember when I was young and had little money. I ran old cars and can’t forget the grief they gave me. Never again.
I...
On the BBC2 programme 'How Safe Are Britain's Roads' they did a piece on an Automated Braking System that stopped/slowed the car when another vehicle or pedestrian was in front of it. I have tried to find...
We have a Honda Jazz Hatchback 1.4 i-VTEC EX, purchased September 2011, when 18 months old. During the first 6 months we had to have the battery replaced twice. Last week whilst waiting for my wife to...
Having reached an age when my hearing now requires aids, I find these in fact distort extraneous sounds so that it is quite useless trying to listen to the radio on long journeys. Also, because of the...
I have a 2005/54 Volvo XC90 Executive with 100,000 miles on the clock, having owned if for the past 4 years. We have a family of 5 (+dog) so the space and practicality have been great and, whilst it has...
Having spent much of my life immersed in most matters car related including working on the body shop floor and restoring classics, I have an axe to grind with those who consider bringing back the scrappage...
I took my 2008 Vectra to a Vauxhall dealer (Downside Motors, Chilcompton, Radstock near Bath) for its annual service and MOT on 31/10/12. I have used this dealer once before but wouldn’t say that I had...
My sister-in-law is coming to live in the UK next year from Australia and wants to bring her 4-year-old, low mileage Volvo V70 with her. We can sort out shipping, but believe that she may have to pay some...
I recently saw your advice to a Honda Jazz owner saying contact Honda Happiness Accident Assistance rather than his insurer in the event of an accident. On the same basis, in the event of an accident in...
For a dozen or so years I have had a ‘Trafficmaster’ device on my dashboard that indicated when motorways and other major roads ahead were congested. It operated via sensors and transmitters on bridges...
I last wrote to you 8 years ago when I was looking to buy an automatic to commute into central Manchester. I didn’t want to sell my Audi TT Roadster and you recommended a Toyota Corolla, which has been...
As your readers seldom seem to send good news about Volkswagen, I thought you might be interested in my experience. I bought a new Passat Estate in 2004 and was disappointed to recently discover corrosion...
In March I bought a new style Honda Civic (petrol). After about 6000 miles, an oil warning light appeared. As I was miles from anywhere I rang the Honda garage, which told me to contact the AA. Their mechanic,...
I am selling my Jeep and someone is coming to view it on Sunday. They are from Zimbabwe and working over here. They want to send the Jeep back to Africa. I have told them I want cash for the vehicle (£2,950)...
I have just had my two-year old CR-V serviced at 38,000 miles. The Honda dealer replaced the front brake pads (the first time they had been replaced) but told me that the front discs also needed replacing...
I had a meeting with a colleague at Hamilton services that ran over the 2 hr parking allowance. We were in the Costa Coffee area and purchased coffees and food during this time. I have received a parking...
I would welcome your advice on replacement tyres for my 2005 X - Trail. Presently it has Dunlop Grand Trek ST20 215/60 R17's fitted. These were on when I bought the car at 29,000 miles and I've since done...
I am getting conflicting information about what I am legally obliged to carry in my car whilst driving in France. Can you shed any light on this please?
Any recommendations or advice about best tyres for ride comfort on a Honda Jazz? Ours is on 16” wheels.
I never imagined that my choice of new car would be decided by its front seat head restraints. My wife, who drives our one car as much as I do, has a back problem and is a little short in the leg. She...
We recently purchased a four-year old Ford Fiesta Zetec from an established dealer who we have used before. After payment he gave us only one key. When we queried this he said he had only been given one...
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