Questions from November 2012
As many of your readers will be grand/parents of teenage drivers, would it be worth doing a feature on: tips for teenage drivers, how to find/what to look out for in a good teacher, costs/procedures involved...
I have just purchased a Range rover x reg after seeing the car on a 4x4 garage forecourt, there was also an add on auto trader with the car on the forecourt in front of the sign for the 4x4 specialist....
Our V70 has 215x55ZR16 tyres that are getting short on tread. What are the best replacement tyres? I am looking for good 4 season performance (accepting that they will be a compromise compared with specialist...
I have a 2003 BMW 320d touring sport which is shod with staggered 'run-flats' - 255/35/18ZR (rear) and 225/4018ZR (front). The ride is too harsh and tramlines a lot too. I'm considering switching to 17"...
What is the value of a 2003 Vauxhall Omega 2.6 CDX with 18,000 miles only?
I have a shudder through my Ford Mondeo at 70-80mph. I used to have it at lower speeds too but that was helped when I changed all the tyres recently. I've balanced all the wheels and had the tracking done...
Have about £6,500 to spend and would preferably prefer it to be no older than three years old with relatively low mileage. What would you recommend ?
My car engine caught fire three weeks ago. I have fully comp insurance. We have agreed on pay out and I have sent all documents back but am still waiting for the cheque. They have now asked for my insurance...
My son-in-law's Z4 has just had to be recovered with a belt failure circa 55k miles and just short of the service when the belt is apparently due to be changed. The BMW garage (independant) advises this...
How long should the MoT be when buying a used car from a garage?
I have a Kia Rio 2005 which screeches for a couple of minutes on start up. I have had the fanbelts checked and renewed but the problem is getting worse. Any suggestions?
I'd like to get winter tyres for our cars (A 2008 Kia Sportage on 235/55R17 tyres and a 2005 E320D Estate on 245/45 R17 tyres. I've heard that it's possible to specify smaller tyres on steel wheels for...
We currently run a Toyota Verso but my wife finds it too big and the poor turning circle puts her off driving it altogether. We want a small car that is easy for disabled access, easy to drive and park,...
I would strongly advise PS, who wrote about space-saver spare wheels, and anyone else who has one, not to venture out on a motorway with one fitted. A few months ago, the AA fitted my space-saver spare...
We live in semi-rural Aberdeenshire and we do have winters up here, the last three returning to what were 'normal' winters a few years ago. My wife drives a BMW 325M diesel automatic, and we fit winter...
Could you explain why the cost of diesel fuel is up to 8p per litre more than petrol? As diesel is a lower fraction of the crude oil from which it is made than petrol, it needs less processing and as it...
In two recent issues you invited recommendations of car camera systems that run on a “loop” and can record the build up to crashes. As a result of suffering two crashes on local mini roundabouts where...
My wife and I will be hiring a car for thirty days in New Zealand next February. Please can you inform me of reputable insurers who provide a Collision Damage Waiver for a reasonable sum?
I run a 1998 BMW 318 Touring, owned since new, with a mileage of 128,000. I pay £215 road tax and my annual mileage is about 7000.
I feel the charge is unfair in that certain new models will pay nothing...
My Fiat dealer tells me that Fiat Panda 4x4 are no longer made. Are there any alternatives?
You write that a FWD car on winter tyres is better than a 4WD car on summer tyres. Clearly you have little experience of driving in the snow and ice and it’s flat where you live. In Devon there are lanes...
Can you advise me about the car tyre snow socks? This is a new innovation to me and I wonder how efficient they might be, and if are they value for money in your opinion?
I want to exchange my 2004 Smart Fortwo for a similar small car, predominately used for short in-town journeys. We have another car for longer trips when three or more seats are needed. It needs upright...
I am severely disabled with arthritis and incontinence and have undergone an upsetting and lengthy ordeal with Excel Parking Services Limited. I realise the saga is too long to publish, but at least you...
Having been impressed by my husband's i20 I test drove (twice) a used Hyundai ix20 1.4 CDTi Style on 15 October 2012 as I was looking for a suitable replacement for an 8 year old Vauxhall Meriva.
After...
I'm looking for a new or nearly new small car due to size of garage and that I live on the seafront. I only do four miles a day and maybe 20 once a month at the weekend. I have a Fiat Punto but a new one...
I run a 54 reg RX300 and have been having problems trying to get winter tyres. My current tyres are 225/60 R17 and I have asked local garages and specialists for steel wheels and winter tyres but they...
I Have received a speeding fine from France for 93 Euros for doing 58km/hr in a 50km/hr zone. Can I argue about the amount, seems very high and it has taken six weeks to get the ticket.
I own an Audi A5 2007 with front eyelash style daytime running LED units, seven or eight LEDs within each unit.
One single LED within the offside passenger unit of seven or eight has gone. Halfords don't...
A 79 year-old relative wishes to buy a congestion-charge free car BUT it must have automatic transmission.
I have spent some time looking in to this and so far have only really come up with the Toyota...
In the paper on Saturday you had a question about suncream removal.
With 3 young children I've had a lot of experience with this.
At first I tried hot soapy water, T Cut, clay bars - nothing would touch...
I bought a VW Golf five months ago with 80,000 miles on the clock.
I checked the MOT history out of curiosity (I only just found out you can do this) and found that it got up to 140,000 miles on last...
I would appreciate if you could advise me of which car to buy. I will be buying a new car in few days and it will be used as a mini cab (private hire vehicle). I want to buy an automatic but not sure of...
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