Intermittent start problem with a 97 Astra

This one is driving me nuts. The car was running fine. It started fine and then suddenly it wouldn't turn over. We bump started it and it worked fine but it still wouldn't turn over at all. The lights...

Starting trouble with a Vauxhall Combo

Vauxhall Combo 2005, 1.3 cdti around 90k on the clock. Over the last year or so the van has been getting worse and worse to get started, especially when cold. It can now take around 30 - 60 minutes each...

Buying a £15000 SUV

Looking to buy 1 to 2 yr old used SUV for £14000 to £15000 what would you recommend? Needs to be a decent sized car for a family of 4 and a large dog, an SUV is what i'm thinking of because of the high...

Air condenser not covered by warranty

Having owned my C30 1.8 SE sport R design for nearly 12 months (bought approved used with 12 month warrantly from volvo main dealer) I am very dissappointed with the problems I have suffered with the car....

Trouble buying a second hand car off eBay

Bought via a classified ad on Ebay, underneath the seller's name was the 'Motors' icon, which when you roll over it confirms that the seller is a motor dealer. The classified ad invited 'best offers'...

Is Shell V Power any use?

Is Shell V Power any use?

When should I service my Golf?

The service intervals on my 1.6 TDI Golf are quite long. According to the display it will require its first service at about two years. The car is now 12 months old and I am thinking of having an oil and...

Medium Family car

I currently have an Audi A2 which has got to make way for something slightly bigger to accommodate a dog, two adults and one child. Where would you recommend I start in terms of size of vehicle e.g. MPV...

When should I change the cam belt on my Octavia vRS?

I've a '08 Octavia 2.0 TFSI petrol due for MOT & service now at 48k miles & 4yrs old. My service handbook doesn't recommend a toothed belt change until well over 100k but my local Skoda dealer says it's...

Front tyre problem - what's the cause?

Something is wearing approx 5mm line through to the canvas inside of the front tyres - not on the tread but inner sidewall. Have made sure pressures are checked each time I fill up with petrol as this...

Speedo failure on an Astra

When I'm driving my Astra, after about half an hour my speedo stops working. I have been told it could be a sensor but not sure.

Automatic MPV for Disabled Person

I am on the Motability scheme and the present car I have is the 1.5 Renault Grand Scenic diesel auto which I consider to be downright dangerous when pulling away at roundabouts etc as it is woefully underpowered....

Winter tyres - German regulations

Regarding mandatory use of winter tyres in Germany between 1st December and 31st March - does this apply to 4WD vehicles as well?

Parking Eye - what should I do?

Have just received a letter from Parking Eye which says I either parked without a ticket or stayed longer than I paid for whilst in Hawkshead, Ambleside on 6/6/12. I was not aware that I was late back...

Repair old Volvo or buy newer cheaper car?

I have a 2002 Volvo V70 2.4 petrol auto which is due a 96k service and cambelt. It judders quite a bit with moderate braking and the steering and front suspension feel quite 'loose.' Would it be worth...

Which Corolla?

I am thinking of purchasing Toyota Corolla, 2002 onwards. Which model would you recommend? My budget is £3000.

BMW X3 or Range Rover Evoque

I am considering buying new BMW X3 or Range Rover Evoque. Which will give me most joy, comfort, & least trouble?

Penny in 12V socket

Hi there - just went to plug the satnav into the lighter socket but there was a penny in there. Got it out but now satnav not working. Presuming have blown a fuse but any idea which one and where do I...

My car was damaged when in an NCP car park

I returned from holiday on Sat 16th June to pick up my car a Rover 416si Reg N698 BOF from the NCP car park at Birmingham airport to find it had been vandalised. The car is my pride and joy and was in...

Selling a 1985 Mercedes-Benz W124

I've been tasked with the job of selling my father-in-law's Mercedes. He's suffering from dementia and can no longer drive. The car comes with FMSH, has done under 80k, and is in vgc considering its age. The...

Extra 'recommendations' during car service — are they really necessary?

Yesterday I had my Hyundai's 3rd year service and 1st MOT carried out at Halfords. They came back to me with 'recommendations' including: 1. An engine flush 2. An oil flush / fuel system cleaner 3. Air...

Droning noise from engine

Got a new noise coming from my car as of today. At around 20 it sounds like someone blowing air down a cardboard tube. As I accelerate it gets louder to the point it sounds like an old prop driven airplane...

Claiming compensation from trade seller

I bought a Ford Focus 1.8 (2000) 75,000 miles roughly two months ago from a Trade Seller - one guy owning a fully registered company. I was generally happy with the vehicle, test drove it for 5-10 minutes...

Is the Lexus IS worth a look?

I am thinking about purchasing a Lexus IS F-Sport diesel but I do not know much about the car. Is servicng dear, are they reliable, running costs, build quality?

Replacing 2003 Ford Focus Estate: What would you suggest?

It's time to replace our 2003 Focus Estate, manual. We do c. 10,000 miles a year, about half of which is a on specific trip on M and A roads, often carting furniture. Our criteria are: estate with comfortable...

Where do I find my engine number?

Where is the engine number located under the bonnet of a 2006 Ford C-MAX 1.8 Zetec estate.

Was my vehicle really serviced today?

MacRae and Dick (Inverness) serviced our car today - or did they? Our 2011 Focus went for its first 12 months service today. When I lifted the bonnet upon getting the car back, its was obvious nothing...

A reliable small family car

We are looking to buy a family car (4 people & associated baggage!). Can't afford brand new. Must be economical, we do about 25 miles each day, all on small country roads. Must be reliable too as can't...

A second hand small car

The wife has started to drive about quite a bit and she takes "her" car, an M-Class Mercedes. We want to keep the Merc as it's good for kids, dogs & distances but want to get her a cheap(er) runabout for...

Quiet and reliable car for under £4k?

I currently drive a 2005 Mk2 Octavia Estate and it's done 114,000 miles. It's now getting to the age/mileage that one thing after another is starting to go wrong, and coupled with general wear and tear...

Gear box failure after seven months - who should pay?

I bought a 52 reg BMW X5 from a independent dealer, Oxfordshire Motor Village. The car worked fine for seven weeks and then had a transmission failure. I took it initailly to a BMW main dealer who said...

My diesel Corsa won't start

I'm working on a Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 diesel and for some reason it won't start. On the diagnostics it's saying codes P0100 and P0110 - it's got plenty of fuel in and I've tried towing it! Have u any ideas...

Can't read the kph on my Sportage

I have had a Kia Sportage KX3 just under two months and really enjoy the vehicle - fuel consumption is between 36/40mpg with 2000 miles on the clock. I have just noticed that in day light it is impossible...

Buying a CR-V auto

I have been offered a Honda CR-V i-DTEC auto, 2010, 49,000 miles. Car has towbar and was towing a caravan. Asking price £18,000 from Stratstone Honda main dealer. What is the car worth and should I avoid...

Ford Fusion for an elderly driver?

I am looking for a car for my 87 year old mother to potter around in with her disabled brother. I am considering a Ford Fusion 1.4 TDCi Zetec 5 dr, 62,500 miles on the clock. FSH and serviced in April...

Mini or Polo?

I am privately selling my Audi A4 (S line 2008, 40,000 miles, 2.0TDI, perfect condition) in order to buy two cars for the family. Firstly, how much should I ask for the Audi? I am buying a Golf for £6500...

Is cambelt change part of the service?

I have recently purchased a 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDIS circa 44k on the clock from a non Suzuki Dealer. Prior to handover they carried out a service and stamped the 45k Service in the book. I have...

Poor Land Rover dealer experience

I ordered a Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE from my local dealer on 31 Mar and specified a number of options and was told to expect delivery late May/early June. I was in early June infomed that the vehicle...

My friend is entering the Mongol Rally

A friend of mine is entering the Mongol rally on the 14th July for charity, driving a 2003 1100cc Fiat Panda. It will be his honeymoon with his new wife. Do you have any advice for them?

UK car - European long term driving

We have a UK registered vehicle that we wish to take regularly to Spain, France & Portugal. Is there an insurance company that will cover more than 90 days away in any year? We have property in Spain...

Parking at an airport - will the alarm cause trouble?

I will be leaving my car in a airport car park for a few weeks shortly and am worried about how the alarm works on this model (Ford Focus 1.6 Titanium, keyless entry 2011) If the alarm was to go off,...

Replacing a Passat estate

I have been thinking of changing my current Passat estate 2.0 TDi (140) and have been told that no-one buys the petrol versions and that the depreciation on them is 50% worse than on the diesel models....

Real World MPG feedback

I just wanted to say the Real World mpg database is a great idea & a good resource. However to point out the obvious it still doesn't give the whole picture - e.g. a Focus Eco averages better mpg than...

Is my economy good? And when should I change my oil?

I drive daily to work six miles and six return, as well as to shops at the weekend. My Polo 1.4 TDI consistently returns 42/44 mpg. Is this good, bad or average? The car is fully serviced. Also, how...

Faults found in second hand vehicle bought less than 48 hours ago

I bought a second hand minibus less than 48 hours ago. Queried sluggishness and black smoke coming from the exhaust with the buyer on the drive home (over the phone), he said if it was something like the...

C4 1.6eHDI EGS gearbox problem

I purchased a new C4 with EGS system. It would appear to me that there is a problem on first and second gear in that on the very odd occasion as I have joined an island or pulled out of a junction there...

I replaced my diesel Octavia with a petrol Avensis and have saved a lot of money.

I was interested in your correspondent RY of Peterborough's comments about diesel engines. After 10 years of driving new and nearly new Volkswagen Group diesels and experiencing many of the problems your...

Can I recommend the Ford dealer Tuxford Road Garage of Notts?

I would like to recommend a small Ford dealer: Tuxford Road Garage, Boughton, Notts. I recently decide to buy a nearly new Fiesta traced by internet. I agreed a price for my car and the Fiesta over the...

Why don't road users understand that HGV drivers often struggle to see other vehicles in their blind spot?

May I congratulate you on a balanced reply to the letter headed "Invisible touch" from DH. It is always easy to blame the other guy. Road safety could be much improved if we all understood a little more...

Which is the best petrol automatic MPV?

My wife is thinking of changing her excellent Toyota RAV4 petrol automatic for a smaller vehicle which is a petrol automatic with a chain cam engine. Reliability is paramount, followed by ride quality...