Questions from April 2012
My son was recently pulled over on the M27 in Hampshire and the police then realised that his driving licence had been revoked, his car was impounded and he was forced to make his own way home. The licence...
We are pensioners who currently drive a Clio Campus (last of the previous marque) that has been reliable, economical, comfortable and has a decent sized boot, but we now need to find a replacement. The...
We recently received a demand in the form of a £90 fine imposed by ‘Parking Eye’ at the M40 Welcome Break Oxford service area because we overstayed by one hour (10:46:42 arrive, 13:52:17 departure). We...
From your readers' postbag, which makes are the most reliable and which are the least reliable cars more than five years old?
My wife owns a 1999 Ford Fiesta 1.25 five-door hatchback but now fancies something more modern. The car must accommodate a set of golf clubs in the boot. Annual mileage is about 3000, mainly shopping and...
My car was hit by a drunk driver outside my pub. I have received information from my insurance. I have attached a copy of a form they have sent me. Can you tell me if this is a standard form and is there...
I have a four-year-old BMW 3 Series automatic on which the torque converter of the gearbox has failed and therefore I'm told that a new gearbox is required. For this to happen after four years seems a...
My independent Mercedes-Benz servicing garage tells me that the Sensotronic Brake Control unit on my 2004 E320CDI (90,000 miles) needs replacement at a cost of £900 or more. I've read on various MB forums...
We're thinking of changing our car and are looking at a 2008 BMW 330i (the 272bhp model). We do around 8000 miles per year and want something that is fun to drive and comfortable. The majority of driving...
I need an extra set of wheels and tyres for winter use on my Rover Sterling. I have a spare set of Vitesse wheels, so it makes sense to use those rather than try and buy new. However, the Sterling tyres...
Providing I don't drive my car on public roads, am I breaking the law by not having car insurance for a car that is being kept in a private garage? The car is not SORN listed and has valid tax and MOT.
When is a recall not a recall? In December my 2005 Audi A4 SE suddenly started running badly so I limped into a local garage which subsequently diagnosed an ignition coil fault and replaced it the next...
The article on Saab speculates that models such as the Classic Convertible may appreciate in value after the demise of the company. I have a 1992 convertible 900i and it has given many years of totally...
I recently bought a 2007 Honda CR-V EX 2.2iCDTi which currently has Honda ‘ONYX’ 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with SP Sport MAXX 245/45R 19 98Y low profile tyres. I would like to change these for a more...
I have owned two Audis over the past 13 years, but now I've retired I drive fewer miles and need a higher seating position to ease entry and exit. I naturally favour a Q3 but the alternative choice of...
I bought my daughter some winter tyres for her Yaris in December as an added safety feature and, having followed your column, I see that you advise fitting them to steel rims. When we had the winter tyres...
I have seen mentioned problems with dual mass flywheels and DPF filters. Are there any diesels that do not use DPF filters or have dual mass flywheel issues? I believe Honda has just started fitting DPF...
My son will soon be 17 and we are thinking about the best and most economic way of securing a car. I had heard of a Volkswagen Up scheme at £99 per month for five years, but the dealers are saying they...
Our four-year-old Nissan Note has just been for its second MoT. Unfortunately, the information on the dashboard was showing the 'trip' mileage since we had bought the car a year ago, and the garage recorded...
I purchased a Saab in 2010 from a Saab/Chrysler dealer in Exeter. I have been advised that even though the warranty has 14 months to run, because Saab have been declared bankrupt the warranty is cancelled....
I am 91 years of age and drive approximately 8000 miles per year. I run a Volvo V50 Automatic but am considering downsizing to a small, quality car that must be automatic. What do you recommend?
My wife and I are now driving our eighth Proton car. What this has brought us over those years is a very good reward for our loyalty to the same dealer, Reg Thompson Cars of Keighley, West Yorks. Small...
I thought you’d like an update on a problem I referred to you a few months ago. Last summer, while driving in France, my 2003 Rover 75 Connoisseur diesel automatic emitted a cloud of black smoke and lost...
I have had since new a much-cherished top of the range Volvo V70 Cross Country, first registered January 1999. The car has covered 208,000 miles but looks fantastic. However I was recently involved in...
Do you have any idea about the ride quality of the Range Rover Sport TDV6 with standard wheels? Also, please advise which wheels and tyres offer the best possible ride quality if I choose the RR Sport?...
Mike Rutherford asks, "Who wouldn't love to own an Audi R8?" I wouldn't. Certainly if it caused a nuisance to other road users. I refer to its LED headlamps. Cars fitted with these eco-friendly lighting...
Having financially supported our daughter’s driving since she passed her test two years ago, her lack of work will result in us not paying to renew her road fund licence at the end of January. What are...
We have received a parking fine from a multi storey car park at a train station for parking in the wrong coloured zone. The black zones were for private users with permits, the green zones for users of...
Can adjusting the handbrake cause the rear calipers to seize? The reason i'm asking is that I had the handbrake adjusted on my MR2 and I was told the brakes were okay, then a week later after not driving...
On driving west on M4 Junc 5 a temporary road sign was blown off its stand straight into my windscreen - causing severe damage to car. The Highways Agency passed the buck to the contractor who is blaming...
I have currently a Smart Passion Diesel which is just under 1 year old. So far I have been delighted with the car but my driving mileage is going to dramatically change. Currently I am driving approx...
Is there a car on the market that can match the Citroen C5 Tourer Exclusive Hydrostatic (2008-on) for its ability to turn our cratered and potholed roads into a quiet and comfortable magic carpet ride?...
I'm looking at a '58 plate (facelift model), manual XC90 SE with 78000 miles for 15995. I've test driven it and it is immaculate. However I am concerned residuals will crash when the new XC90 appears (supposedly...
Both our cars are due to be re-insured. I used to take out the insurers legal protection but after reading your column in the Telegraph last year I took out a policy with AutoLaw. Have just checked the...
We have researched new small estate cars and found a Volvo V50 matches our needs. We are interested in the 1600 diesel drive (stop/start) model and will cover 15000 miles per year - a mix weekly long runs...
I have some stains on my front seats, caused by I know not what. The black material has been lightened in a couple of small patches and Halfords seat shampoo does not seem able to remove them. I fear the...
I am about to sell the above vehicle and am having it valeted inside and out by an outfit recommended by my garage. Should I have the engine compartment, which is actually not that dirty,pressure washed...
I was recently hit from behind while in very slow moving traffic resulting in rear damage. The other driver admitted liability, toyed with paying themselves then asked me to go through their insurance....
At the last service a couple of months ago (59000 miles) I asked the mechanic to investigate what I can only describe as "hunting" at tickover or steady low revs. No fault codes were identified and the...
I have a 06 Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTi 150. We have just had the DPF filter replaced and now EGR valve replaced. The car now intermitently pours out smoke from the exhaust (large amounts) sometimes when...
I recently bought a Fiat 500 and noticed that the warranty started four weeks before I bought the car. The dealership has said that this is down to the car being registered early. I have asked for a confirmation...
I have a Vauxhall Corsa GLS 12v T Reg. If i have been on a long journey or stuck in traffic and say go into the shops for 10/15 mins it will not start again?
Can you tell me when the cam belt needs changing on a Land Rover Freelander sd4 and how much i would expect to pay?
Have had some problems with my battery draining recently on my 54 plate 2.0 TDCI Mondeo. Following recommendation from the Green Flag man to replace the battery as it is the original battery, I ordered...
I've had a Ford Mondeo TCDI estate for 7 years. It's a 2004 model. Recently I've noticed a whirring or whinning noise on pull away. It sounds like a turbo type issue, but I've never had this before.
The reversing sensor warning (in the offside 'B' pillar?) sounds when using the indicators and when braking. Any suggestions?
We need to buy a second car for commuting and occasional business trips. We already have an Audi A6 Avant as our family car, so space isn't the main priority, but I would like the best combination of value...
My son in law took off his plug leads and didn't notice how to put them back. Would it be possible for you to tell me which plugs go where?
Please can you advise me if it will be okay to charge my engine battery on my Ford Transit 2.2 autoroller 200 motorhome using a 12 volt trickle battery charger {spec is input 15vdc 300ma 4.5w charging...
I currently run a 2006 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 Design with 61k miles. My daily commute has increased from 16 miles to 50 miles - mainly motorway. I'm looking for larger (Astra/Focus size) used vehicle with...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
