What are the manufacturers doing to improve DPF technology?

Although living in a rural situation most of my journeys are short, which seems to suggest that my diesel engine and exhaust system does not reach the required temperature to enable the DPF to function...

Is Mercedes-Benz likely to produce a small "crossover vehicle" to rival the BMW X1?

Mercedes-Benz does not appear to be interested in small "crossover vehicles" like the BMW X1. Do you know of anything in the immediate future? I have a current 2008 W204 C-Class, and wonder if you know...

Thanks to the AA, Caffyns of Folkestone and Network Q for promptly repairing my Volkswagen Polo.

Last Monday my 2007 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI with only 35,000 miles on the clock blew up on the motorway. I phoned the AA and was towed off promptly and taken to a local garage, Caffyns of Folkestone. A...

Which 4x4 SUV and small runaround for a tall driver?

We have recently retired, aged 62 and 55. We intend to dispose of our eight-year-old Jaguar S-Type (62,000 miles, average condition) and Ford Focus Ghia 2-litre (34,000 miles, good condition) and replace...

Are satnav systems with speed camera detection illegal in France?

Unless I've read it wrong, an article in this week's Motorcycle News says that in France it's now illegal to have a satnav with camera site warnings under a new law that came into force on 4 January. Is...

Is this a good deal on an E-Class?

Epsom Mercedes will sell me 2011 61 E350 Sport with full navigation and Harmon Kardon sound system for £31,500 with 9000 miles. Part ex for my 12 month old C220 CDI Sport with 18,500 is £20,500. This...

Downsizing to a luxury small car

Finally decided to swap my 325d M Sport for either an Audi A1 or a Volkswagen Polo GTI. For the outlay on the A1 I can manage to obtain the Polo GTI. Please advise which car to go for in terms of reliability/performance/comfort...

Are there any 7-seaters with reclining seats?

I would like to buy a 7 seater but with the added comfort of reclining 2nd row and 3rd row seats. Is there any make and model that offers this option? It would help the rear passengers on a long trip to...

Can you get a torque convertor automatic in a Tiguan?

Does the Volkswagen Tiguan come with a 'proper' auto box i.e. torque converter, or are they all DSG boxes?

Alternatives to the Hyundai i20

I am looking for a smallish 5 door petrol auto, with c£12k to spend. I quite like the look of the Hyundai i20 1.4 auto, but could you suggest anything else? Driving will be mainly A/B roads with some...

Should I service a car before selling it?

My father passed away very recently and because he had been unwell since the start of the year had not got around to servicing his three-year-old Freelander 2.2 diesel. I haven't yet decided whether...

Taking the catalytic converter out of a Freelander?

Is it illegal to de-cat a 2002 diesel Freelander TD4?

Vectra 150 lacks power

I have a 2002 Vectra 2.2 SRI 150. The previous owner had replaced middle box of exauhst with a straight through pipe so I had to replace the cat after a month, because he stuck gunk on instead of replacing...

Problems with a second hand Golf DSG

I have recently bought a second hand Golf with full VW history and have had nothing but problems. First of all, I have experienced juddering from the auto gearbox. VW carried out tests and determined...

Why do other Subarus look 'taller' than mine?

I know it is very trivial, every time I see a similar car to mine it looks taller. Doesn't happen very often. I recently had the opportunity to park next to an identical car, including year, and mine appeared...

Buying a large car for high mileage motorway driving

Can you recommend three second hand cars that would make a good family car. Needs to be a saloon or estate and economical for high motorway mileage (31,000 Miles per year) Currently I have a 2008 1.8tdci...

My Transit won't start

My 2006 diesel Transit was running OK, then I stopped driving, left it a couple of days and now it will not start. Has the fault code P1361. I have had the EDC unit on, the fuel pump checked out ok, swapped...

Idling problem with a 1997 Audi A4

I have an Audi A4 2.6 and it has done 207,000miles. I had been fine for ages but over the last 500 miles it's got a problem with revving up to 1500rpm on start up. Then it was reving 1500 to 1800 and bobbing...

Mondeo running on three cylinders

One cylinder on my 02 Mondeo is not firing. The garage replaced the coil pack, plugs leads, injectors and rail and they've done a compression test. The same cylinder that wasn't running before this still...

Does my Panda have traction control?

My new Panda cuts out heavily under hard acceleration in bottom gear. It could be traction control but if so it cuts in early and hard and is verging on unsafe when pulling smartly out of junctions. I...

Stuttering Astra 2.0 Turbo

When reaching 3500 rpm the engine starts to stutter in my Astra 2.0 Turbo and it will not rev any further. What could be the problem?

Power steering fault with a Meriva

I have recently bought a Vauxhall Meriva second hand. So far the car is good. Yesterday I had an EPS fault show on my dash and the steering wheel become stiff. It was difficult to move the steering wheel....

What recourse do I have with my problematic used Audi A8?

I purchased a one owner Audi A8 in June 2011 from my local Audi dealer in Northampton with a one year extended warranty. Since the purchase I have done only 5000 miles. The following items were replaced...

Bought a car with the engine not as advertised

I bought a used Volkswagen Golf 170 GTD from a large car dealership for £16,000, borrowing £10,000 from dealership finance. Ten months later it broke down and was being repaired by an approved Volkswagen...

What fun to drive car for £2500

I currently have a Fiat Punto GT which I have had since new and absolutely love. I like a car to have the power to get me out of trouble and to enjoy driving. I like a car where I can feel the road,...

Did you actually recommend SatNavi.com

I had a look on www.satnavi.com and on their front page they say that Honest John recommended their site in February 2012. I searched the HJ website and was unable to find the recommendation. Can you...

First family car - what's best?

We are expecting our first child in September and are looking to buy our first car before then. We are happy with a second hand model, a couple of years old, manual, petrol or diesel (we live in London...

Which diagnostic reader should I buy?

Hello, do you recommend any particular OBD kits? What kind of OBD would suit my 2006 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI?

White smoke when starting in the morning

When I start my Mondeo the morning it smokes slightly and it has a misfire, but once I drive about 500 yards the car runs great, no smoke or misfire, then all day it will be ok. Once you park it up for...

Problem with a Mazda 121 automatic

I have a Mazda 121 (1997) 1.25 Zetec (which looks a lot like the old ford Fiesta to me). It's an automatic but recently its developed a problem on its start up when its been stood for a while and the engine...

Buying a car in Geneva or exporting one from the UK?

My daughter has secured a job in Geneva for at least a year - would she be better buying a left hand drive car here in the UK and driving it over, or purchasing one in Switzerland or nearby France. She...

Another John - not so honest!

We went to see a car in Essex advertised as 10,000 miles, one previous owner, climate control and full Ford history. The dealers name was John. Me: "But this car has done 12,600 miles" Dealer: "Well I...

Will a new 3 Series have noisy tyres?

I have just test driven the new BMW 3 series 328i and thought it was a superb car except for intrusive road noise. It was on non standard 18" wheels. Do you think the road roar would be less on the standard...

Saving money on a new Audi?

I have decided I want an Audi A6 Avant, and I know exactly what model and features I want. The best I can negotiate from Audi is about £40k so where else should I look?

Buying a high-mileage small van?

Received encouraging replies in the back room on a very clean 08 plate, one owner, 184K new model Peugeot Expert TD with FSH for daughter's private use, approx 10K per annum at £3950. As belt and braces,...

Strange noise from the clutch on my Vivaro van

I have a 2005 Vauxhall Vivaro with 80,000 miles on the clock. When I press the clutch pedal down I get a chattering noise coming from the engine. Does any body know what this could be?

Fuel Ecconomy

I bought this car four weeks ago and I am getting 35 mpg average on a 400+ mile round trip. Driving on the motorway for over 80 miles at 76 mph with cruise control on I can not get the trip screen to show...

Buying an economical car

I currently drive a Y reg Seat Arosa - bought at a year old ,which has proved reliable and economical for my 1,000 miles per month commuting mainly by motorway. I would like to replace it with a similarly...

Diesel vs petrol

It is generally accepted that diesel engines are more economical in terms of fuel consumption and yet petrol engines seem to be preferred by motoring specialists. If diesel fuel is, say, 10% more expensive...

Under what circumstances is undertaking legal?

When did the law on undertaking change? Many years ago I was driving a gutless Austin A60 automatic near Birmingham on a three-lane motorway. I was following a truck on the nearside lane. The truck changed...

Are satnavs with GPS now illegal in France?

As I understand it, in-car satnavs and mobile phones with GPS facilities are going to be subject to the same law as radar detectors when travelling in France. It's a real nightmare.

Which car allows for three child seats to be fitted across the rear seats?

I currently have two children under four and have another on the way. Could you advise of a car that will fit three child seats across the back? I am afraid I don't want a 'people carrier' and the cost...

Why don't insurance companies give discounts to dashcam users?

I work in insurance as a freelance accident investigator and confirm that insurers are in a chaotic mess of inefficiency. I have just ordered a car video recorder the size of a satnav which sticks onto...

Is there a convertible with five seats?

I am interested in buying, if possible, a convertible with five seats and seat belts, or one which the manufacturer can add a rear seat belt to. What do you recommend?

Which hard top convertible do you recommend?

I am looking to buy a hard top convertible. The Volkswagen Eos is a bit big, so I am considering a three or four-year-old Renault Megane 1.6 or Vauxhall Astra 1.6/1.8. Have you come across any problems...

Can I pump the oil out of my engine rather than use the drain plug?

I am considering using an oil pump to remove old engine oil via the dipstick hole instead of the more traditional method of jacking up the car and draining from the drain plug. Are there any drawbacks...

Which small car with a large boot should I buy?

I currently drive a Mini Clubman Cooper D. I have liked the Mini’s economy and low road tax and would want at least as good, if not better economy from any new car. I do mainly short journeys but also...

Which family car would you recommend?

My nephew has asked me for advice on buying a family car. He is going to test drive a 2001 Honda Civic 1.6SE auto which has had one owner and has 100,000 miles on the clock. They will also look at a Fiesta...

I need a small, narrow automatic car to fit in my small parking space - any suggestions?

I have driven a Toyota Yaris automatic for the last nine years and have been very satisfied with it, but the time has come for a new car. Since getting very used to the Yaris I have moved and my parking...

I think older cars, like my 2003 Jaguar S-Type, are excellent value for money.

I read with interest the letter from ‘MH’ with regard to older luxury cars being value for money. I purchased a 53 plate S-Type Jaguar, 4.2 V8 model for just less than £7000 about two years ago from ‘CarGiant’...