DIYLA

I am wondering if you might be able to help me resolve an issue that I have with the DVLA. In May this year I sold my VW Golf for £950 cash to a private buyer. I completed the back of the registration...

Mike and Burny winter

I took delivery of a new Audi A4 Avant 2.0 litre 143 manual TDI in August and having now covered more than 5,000 miles I am disappointed with the fuel economy. My previous A4 always returned at least 50mpg....

You know when you’ve been Twingoed

My beloved 1995 Twingo was in a crash 2 weeks ago. I was not in the car and it was hit when parked by a 4x4 causing £1,700 damage. My insurer Norwich Union, new claims dept, assured me that they would...

Cantankerous

I have a new S3 on its second tank full of fuel. Driving on the A1 with almost a quarter tank on the gauge and 65 miles left on the fuel range & no low fuel warning light on, the car came to a sudden stop....

Eavesdropped

I thought you might be intrigued (and a little saddened) to hear what I overheard whilst at a Ford dealer. I was picking my car up from a service and heard a gentleman arguing over his 2 year old Focus....

Avantage Mazda

I am looking to replace a four-year-old Audi A6 Avant with something similar. This is the second A6 Avant that I have had, and both cars have been almost completely faultless, as well as being spacious,...

Less to the pound

Really enjoyed your test of the Mazda 6 2.2 diesel. This car is on my shortlist to replace my current Mondeo 2.2 Titanium X estate that is now 2 years old. The only problem here in France is the exchange...

Hard shoulder to cry on

On Friday Oct 24 at Junction 11 of the M4 our car was written off in an accident and I would like to use your column to say what a good job the M4 Highway Patrol did looking after us. They were first class....

Snow way to go

I am in the market to select a new car and have finally narrowed my choices down (from a very long list) to Skoda Superb 1.8TSI 4x4, Nissan Qashqai+2 2.0 petrol, Subaru Legacy 2.5 litre. I want 4WD for...

while stocks last

Following a visit to your website, I checked out drivethedeal.com. Audi and Lexus (A4 and IS 220d) with almost £5000 off and Mercedes E Class (220CDi and 280CDi) with virtually £9000 off! What's the catch?...

Trader price

I am considering buying a vehicle that has been advertised on the eBay website - not via an auction, but a "classified advertisement" alongside a price. The seller is a trader. Am I covered by the standard...

Smartie pants

Like CW of Moseley, I am experiencing much below indicated fuel economy from my new model Smart ForTwo. Friends with original model Smarts certainly seem to do better. In Surrey, with endless speed limits,...

Bat man

6 weeks after buying my 2008 CR-V 2.2 EX diesel, I parked it at Gatwick Airport for a 2-week holiday. When we returned to the car, the battery was completely flat; no lights, no unlocking on the fob, nothing!...

Wandering car

We want a selectable 4x4 (auto preferably) that is about 2 or 3 years old with excellent reliability and economy (which presumably means diesel, although we have been unlucky with auto diesel gearboxes)....

Without due course

I live in Northamptonshire and was recently caught speeding in Cheshire. I was grateful that I was offered the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course as an alternative to a fine and points on my...

i, i, sir

In my search of your road tests I came across the Hyundai i10 and i30. I have yet to drive the i30, but sat in one in the showroom and have to say I am very impressed so far. The interior seems very well...

Rent boys

I recently had a fairly minor bump near Guildford. Details were exchanged, the insurance companies have locked horns and no doubt in due course a puff of white smoke will emerge from one of their chimneys...

Twist or bust?

My car is a 1999V Peugeot 406 L HDI Estate with no a/c and 83,000 miles on the clock. It has just had a new exhaust and drivers electric window switch fitted but is otherwise in good working order and...

‘Road Tea Breaks’

After yet another inordinately long wait in a police induced traffic jam recently, I eventually slowly passed the scene of a bad accident. Rubber necking as I do, not to observe any gore, but to check...

Street cred

Earlier this year, my BMW 325i that I had owned for less than two weeks was hit by another car turning in the office car park. I saw the accident happen and the driver stopped and gave me his details....

Fun, fun, fun

I am looking for something that will bring some fun back into my motoring. It will not be my primary car and will probably only do about 5k miles a year. I need to fit my golf clubs into it with at least...

Winter warm

What would you recommend as a cheap, reliable car at up to £2k to do 5k miles a month? Has to be reliable (don't want to have to resort to freezing to death on my motorbike) and not cost more than 25p...

The claim game

I recently parked my car and went to a meeting. On my return somebody had gone into the back of my car and dented it. Needless to say, no name and address had been left. I decided to claim through my insurance,...

Shouldn’t happen

I need to change my company car and am writing to see if you have any recommendations. I currently have a 2002/52 Subaru Forester that has approx. 160,000 miles on the clock. Our accountant says I am being...

Automatic choice

I remember reading in one of your past pages in the Saturday Telegraph that you had recommended an auto gearbox specialist. I need one in or near London as the gearbox on my 1995 Mercedes E320 coupe is...

Snow way to go

I am in the market to select a new car and have finally narrowed my choices down (from a very long list) to Skoda Superb 1.8TSI 4x4, Nissan Qashqai+2 2.0 petrol, Subaru Legacy 2.5 litre. I want 4WD for...

Disturboed

When I purchased my 54 plate X-Trail 2 years ago I was concerned to read your report regarding turbo failure on the 2.2 DCi engine. Accordingly, when the 1 year Nissan Warranty expired I took out an independent...

Yaris tweed

My 04 Yaris T3D-4D has twice exhibited a problem that I am at a loss to diagnose and would be grateful for your comments. When driving up a slight incline the engine revs to a high speed for no apparent...

Shrinking violet

Car novice here. I'm closing in on my decision regarding a new car. Looks like it's going to be the Hyundai i10 1.2 litre. I just wanted to know your reasons for choosing this as the 'best small car'...

Foot-wrath

Can you tell me whether it is legal to park with nearside wheels on the footpath or verge? I have always understood it was a No-No based on a fine to member of my family many years ago in Birmingham. Now...

Loitering within tent

I was driving my campervan way back in March this year. It's very temperamental, like most older campers. As usual, it broke down in a high street at a seaside location. It took a number of attempts from...

In-diesel exposure

My son is looking for a small diesel since he will be doing 15,000 miles per year. Such as Citroen C4 hatch, Clio, Peugeot 207 etc., etc. Can you think of others he should consider in this size and price...

Inplation

I have been given your name by a friend so I am writing to see if you can give me any guidance on my car. It is a black MGBGT registered in October 1979, has a current MOT and is taxed and insured. I...

Running rings

Formula 1 is always talking about tyre selection and it is difficult to open a motorbike magazine without coming across an article comparing different tyres, but there is nothing similar for cars. Can...

Sulph-righteous

I recently purchased a newish brand of diesel fuel here in France. It stated on the pump that it was sulphur-free. The price was a few centimes more expensive per litre than my usual fuel. I have to say...

Not remotely

I wonder if you have an input to help me here. Car failed to start - engine started but then died immediately. The RAC said the car no longer recognised the key. My wife brought the spare key and we had...

Magical history tour

I often see reference to a "Full Service History" in letters and answers in your newspaper column (and car adverts). The buyer should be warned that, in law, this only means that you are provided with...

A four-door-ble

I'd appreciate your advice about purchasing a second-hand 4-door sportscar/grandtourer, in a price range up to £45,000, with good handling and reliability. Would you recommend the Maserati Quattroporto,...

Tiny tin

I think I was confused by reading reports of the old model Hyundai i10 1.1. I am now searching for a local dealer (Fuengirola area) as my nearest main agent appears to be more than 2 hours drive away....

Es-car-go

The retro MINI and FIAT 500 have been a tremendous success. But in today's cash strapped society isn't it time for a new, bargain basement World Car? I would approach Hyundai and get them to obtain the...

VED up

I currently own an Alfa Romeo Brera SV JTS V6 Q4. The tax will have to be renewed in May 09. Can you tell me what it will be and when the new tax rate comes into force?

Wait limits

Apologies for the pun in the subject line. Whilst on holiday recently in Turkey, I noticed that many city traffic lights had an additional signal giving the time in seconds to the next phase change. Our...

Shifty

I've got an auto diesel Colt, March 05 reg, now out of warranty but with a further 3 years extended cover. There are now some 125,000 on the clock. A few weeks ago the gearbox appeared to seize. The garage...

Congester Guardian

Soon the people of Manchester will get the opportunity to vote on the proposed congestion charge rip off. As if having a budget of £3m for an awareness (or propaganda) campaign was not enough. With the...

Humple pie

Speed bumps will only cause damage if gone over too fast - or rather not gone over slowly enough (which may be ridiculously slowly, of course, but damage can be avoided). They are a necessary evil in some...

Firsty work

With regard to J.K. and P.C. Their problem is the expression ‘right of way’. There is no place in motoring for right of way. The term is ‘priority’. Priority can only be given, not taken, as your correspondents...

Knockered

I have a Ford Fiesta 1997, 1.25 Zetec. When I turn the key in the ignition the engine turns but it is as though there is no spark to continue the engine running and there is a knocking noise. Does anyone...

Going round in circuits

I live in the mountains in Southern Spain and own a year 2000 Mitsubishi Montero 1.8GDI. It has 83,000 kms on the clock and has given excellent service. However recently after travelling about 2kms from...

Small, but perfectly foured

I am thinking of changing my car in the spring 2009 and would like some advice on the new purchase. At present I drive a 2.2 diesel Nissan X-Trail. However I would like something smaller. So far I have...

Bought fraudward

I would like to share with you my experience of using the DVLA website to pay my car tax. I recently purchased a £50 car tax through the DVLA website and payment was made using my Lloyds TSB Visa card,...