Can I leave my child unattended in the front seat of my car?

Is it safe to leave a 5-year-old child to play in a parked car behind the steering wheel? Is there any possibility that the child can activate an airbag and get injured? We have two cars in the family,...

Can I claim that an elderly driver I hit from behind was at fault?

I recently ran into the back of the car in front. The car in front was turning right onto a main road and I was following. It was clear left and right. I did a final check and proceeded, but found the...

When should I change my Vauxhall Vectra's timing belt?

Having been caught out on my last Vauxhall with an expensive timing chain failure, when should I consider changing it on my 57-reg Vectra Estate Auto 1.9D (150) please? It's currently on 60,000 miles.

Which economical 4WD vehicle would you recommend for tackling mountains?

I climb, hike and mountaineer, and want a 4WD to haul me and my gear off road to the crags, as I'm 60 and can't walk 20 miles before climbing a mountain any more. I'd like decent ground clearance, 60mph...

Are you aware of a new Mercedes-Benz / BMW electric car battery exchange project?

I recently passed a new factory which was not working yet. I asked what it was for and was told it is a new joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BMW to make batteries for their new range (unannounced...

Which tyres for my Ford Mondeo will reduce road noise?

I have a 2008 Ford Mondeo hatchback with original Bridgestone Potenza 235/45 R17 97W tyres which will need replacing very soon. These are low profile and are noisy. Please can you suggest a good replacement...

Can I run my 2003 Citroen Picasso Desire 2HDI on biodiesel?

Can I run my 2003 Citroen Picasso Desire 2HDI on biodiesel?

How can I remove my association from another vehicle which has cloned my number plate?

The police inform me that my number plate has been cloned and on two separate occasions this vehicle and its owners have been thieving in my name. Obviously the police come to me each time as I am the...

Which car do you recommend for high mileage daily commuting?

I need your advice to find my new car because I don't know the UK market very well, and I am getting mixed messages from everyone. In the next 12-16 months I'll be covering 1000 motorway miles on a weekly...

Which sensible but fun car could I buy to replace my Subaru Impreza WRX?

I currently own an '08 plate Subaru Impreza WRX which I love dearly but, having been caught speeding (39 in a 30 zone!) earlier this year, I now have three points on my licence and my insurance premium...

My Mazda CX-7's turbo has blown. Is this model susceptible to turbo problems?

Two months ago I purchased a 2-year-old Mazda CX-7 2.3T with 9500 miles on the clock. 4000 miles later the turbo has gone and is being replaced under warranty. I'm happy with that. However, I do have a...

I had no idea how much low tyre pressures can affect fuel economy.

Seven weeks and 3000 miles after I took delivery of a new Skoda Octavia Scout 1.8 TSI I decided to check my tyre pressures. They were all too low by about 10 per cent. This I fixed using my own pump and...

I want an MPV with space for a wheelchair - is the Chrysler Voyager suitable?

I want to buy a car or MPV which has a boot large enough to take a wheelchair and still leave some additional space for shopping. I would prefer a diesel manual model. Ease of access is also important....

I want a Toyota IQ - is it worth buying the 1.33 automatic?

I fancy a Toyota iQ - do you think it's worth going for the 1.33 automatic? Most of my driving is in town and I'm fed up of my big BMW 535D. Also, do you know if there will be any modifications to the...

Why is my Skoda Octavia TDI reluctant to start?

My 54-plate (2005) Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Elegance has developed a tendency not to start occasionally. It was checked by the Skoda agent, who found no fault when scanning it, however it behaved itself...

I had a failed head gasket replaced cheaply and it's gone again. Anything I can do?

I have a 54-reg Nissan Patrol 3.0. During January this year I had a head gasket failure. I put it into an independent garage that boasts of savings of around half the main dealer labour charges. They used...

A faulty brake light switch was causing the EPC light to come on in my Volkswagen Polo's dash.

The EPC light was illuminated my 2005 Volkswagen Polo's dash. I started messing about with it and found it was the brake light switch was the problem.

Is it common for tyres to become oval and cause 'pattering' at high speed?

I own a Skoda Octavia vRS TDi, a fairly quick car with bags of torque. However, I am not a hooligan - simply a 57 year old businessman with a motor sport and technical history. Two months ago, I noticed...

Why is my LPG Vauxhall Astra stalls at roundabouts?

My LPG factory-built Vauxhall Astra Elegance is stalling on roundabouts. I contacted Vauxhall but they're about as much use as a chocolate teapot. I need to buy a filter kit - any suggestions?

What does my 180,000-mile Jaguar S-Type need in terms of servicing?

Could you please advise the running and servicing costs for the Jaguar S-Type? It has done 180,000 miles but runs like a beauty. I only paid £850 for it and it's in mint condition, do you think I got a...

How can I remove the glass from my Mercedes-Benz E-Class's wing mirror?

The wing mirror on my 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class seems detached from the motor that adjusts the vertical tilt. It still moves horizontally but, when I try to adjust it vertically, I can hear the motor...

What is the vibration coming from my car at low revs?

At low revs there is the sound of slight vibration type noise, less so with the windows closed.

I bought a used Citroen C1 that was advertised as being PDI'd and serviced - but it hadn't. What can I do?

I recently bought a 58-reg Citroen C1 from a dealer for my son. It came with service history showing that a service had been done and stamped by the dealer at 10,200 miles, and according to the documents...

Is £14,000 a good p/x price for a new Vauxhall Meriva, and does it still suffer from power steering problems?

I have a 2004 Vauxhall Meriva which has just has £1200 spent on it for a new steering column and other steering and gear-related work. I am considering a new Meriva SE 140ps to replace it. I have been...

Where can I get replacement car keys in Kent?

I am looking for a replacement car key for a Ford Fiesta and I have read in your column that this can be done more cheaply by providers other than the dealers. I live in Dover. Could you give me some names?

Where can under-17s learn to drive?

I took my 16-year-old son for his first driving lesson on Saturday. We used a place in Hornchurch, Essex which has 12 acres of private roads where you can use your own car. My father took me there 35 years...

Where can I get a replacement remote key for my Hyundai Coupe?

The remote locking key unit for my Hyundai Coupe has just gone faulty. After fitting a new battery it still failed to work, so I contacted my local Hyundai agent to price a new one. I was told that it...

Is there a German-made sports car that looks like a Healey 3000 and has a BMW M Sport engine?

I'm trying to think of a sports car that is similar to a Healey 3000 in looks (may only come as a coupe though) and I believe it's German with a large BMW 'M' Sport engine. It has large low profile tyres...

What do you think of the Nissan 350Z's automatic gearbox?

We are thinking of buying a Nissan 350Z and wonder what you think of them. Are Nissan's automatics reliable? Do you know of any issues with these cars? Also we have seen tiptronics - are these as reliable...

Volkswagen Passat or Peugeot 406?

I need a new motor on a budget. I've found a 2-litre petrol Peugeot 406, 1997 R-reg with 77,000 genuine miles. The seller has every MoT since new, it's very clean and tidy inside and out and MoT'd 'til...

Should I buy a Ford Mondeo or Honda Accord Type S?

I am buying a new car and am going back to a tourer. I owned a 54-plate Ford Mondeo tourer ST TDCI and loved it. I have been looking at the new model and think its great (Titanium X Sport (163)). Then...

It is possible to get 'pleasure use' insurance cover for non-business drivers on trade plates.

A couple of weeks ago, one of your articles implied that it was not possible to get 'pleasure use' cover for non-business drivers on motor trade policies. I thought you may like to know that some insurers...

Is my satellite navigation system more accurate at calculating speed than my speedometer?

I have noticed that my TomTom satnav always seems to show a speed two to three mph less than that registered by the cars speedometer. I use it in two different cars and the difference is approximately...

My air conditioning pump is making a noise - is it running out of gas?

I have just noticed that when I turn on my air conditioning the pump is making a noise. It only started this afternoon before the guy sorted out my hands-free kit for the car. A friend of mine says that...

Which small cars have the best turning circle?

Which small or medium-sized automatic family cars have the best turning circle?

Does the back half of the Renault Megane Tourer's sunroof open?

Can anyone tell me does the back half of the sunroof on a Megane Tourer open and if so how?

Which classic BMW or Mercedes-Benz should I buy to take to Norway?

I've recently moved to work in Norway and I'm shocked at the price of cars, which are often three times the UK price for new and even seven or eight times the price of an equivalent secondhand car in the...

Is Castrol Magnatec oil suitable for my Nissan Primera?

I have a 6-year-old Nissan Primera 2.2 diesel. Its a YD22DDTi engine and the spec for the oil in the hand book is 5W-30, API CF-4, ACEA B1, B3. Tesco have the Castrol Magnatec 5W-30 API SL/CF, ACEA A3/B4....

Which Qashqai model would best suit a 20-mile round commute and a number of short trips?

I share a company car which is allocated to a female colleague. It's time to change the car. She's currently considering a Nissan Qashqai (high driving position, decent payload, and medium size) but is...

Can you recommend a prestigious estate car with seven seats for £5000?

As I work from home and do all the school runs and camping/driving holidays, I have a 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML270 (95,000 miles) but I want a car with better fuel economy and that is also cheaper. My wife...

Is £16,500 a fair price for a 'brand new' Cadillac CTS?

I have been offered a 'brand new' Cadillac CTS 3.6 for £16,500. The car appears to be brand new, unmarked, with some transit packaging still in place, with 120 miles on the clock and a new battery. On...

Where can I get a manual for my Ford Focus RS's satellite navigation system?

I have bought a Ford Focus RS and I did not get a manual for the navigation system. I need to know how to adjust the volume of the voice so I can hear her?

Should I be wary of buying a Ford Focus listed as 'Trade-In to Clear'?

I'm interested in a Ford Focus Zetec 2001 1.6L which has done 97,000 miles. The trader wants £1450 but it is listed as 'Trade-In to Clear' and I was wondering if this is a category I should be wary about?...

Should I really run my Citroen C5 diesel to 4500rpm several times a week?

I note your advice to hit 4500 rpm through the gears several times a week. Does this apply to all engines? At only 4000 rpm in my 2008 Citroen C5 2.0HDI I'm doing 40 mph in second gear and 65-70 mph in...

I think a garage broke my stereo by leaving a magnetic lamp in my car - should I report them to Trading Standards?

A couple of weeks ago I had my car serviced at my local garage, then yesterday I parked up and with my wheels at an angle I noticed something dangling from the suspension behind the wheel arch which looked...

Which small, spacious car could we buy to keep in France for occasional use?

I am considering buying a car in France to keep in France. It must be a 2-pedal automatic, must have four doors, and must be able to accommodate four people plus a wheelchair. I have thought about a Renault...

Which estate car would you recommend for lots of short journeys?

I am looking to change my car, a Citroen Xsara Picasso HDI exclusive on a 51 plate. I've enjoyed the comfort and space of this car, particularly the boot because it holds two sets of golf equipment. I'm...

Can I have my 1-year-old Hyundai serviced locally without affecting the warranty?

I have just bought a 1-year-old Hyundai from a main dealership that is over 40 miles from my home address. Do I have to to use the dealership for servicing or can I take it to my local trustworthy service...

Why does your correspondent criticise the state of the roads here in Northumberland?

A recent correspondent to your Saturday Telegraph letters harshly criticised the roads in Northumberland. I drive hundreds of miles each week here, where we have an excellent system of uncluttered roads...

Whats the best MPV I can get for around £1500?

We're looking to get an MPV which is like the Toyota Town Ace (with seats to make a bed or load space) but has better reviews if at all possible?