Recommend a cheap, reliable car to replace my parents' Nissan Sunny?

I need to find a replacement reliable, cheap-to-run car for my parents. Their current car (an M-reg Nissan Sunny) has rusted to the point where it is going to cost more than it is worth. I would like to...

Which 4x4 for good fuel economy, reliability and space?

We are considering purchasing a 4x4 for our growing family but are not sure of the best option. Our budget is £16,000 and we are considering the Land Rover Discovery, Volkswagen Touareg, and the BMW X5....

Should I buy a Ford Ka that has stood idle for five years?

I've been offered a Ford Ka on a 53 plate with just 18,000 miles on the clock. The low mileage is because it has been standing in a garage for five years. Should I buy it as a low mileage motor or run...

What does this warning light mean on my 2007 Vauxhall Astra?

My Vauxhall Astra Life 1.8 16v 91H 2007 has a warning light showing a car and spanner. I have just had an oil change, so it can't be that. Any ideas?

Would disengaging the ESP extend its lifespan?

You said in a recent reply that the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) control could suffer a failure after three to five years. The replacement could cost up to £2000. Would it be an advantage to disengage...

Is my Ford Focus breaking down because of a coil pack fault?

I was driving along in the rain today when my Ford Focus decided not to work. I had my foot on the throttle and I was getting no response. I then stopped, put my foot on the clutch and revved the hell...

Does my Peugeot 407 really need diesel fuel additive?

In my 2006 Peugeot 407 SW SE, diesel fuel additive should be checked at 70,000 miles and running out can lead to massive bills. Mine required three litres of additive at 65,000 miles at a cost of £75....

Our Rover Streetwise's head gasket has gone twice in 14,000 miles - should the garage contribute?

We have a Rover Streetwise that the head gasket went on last May. We took it to a garage for repairs at a cost of £500. Last week the head gasket went again after only around 14,000 miles. We took it back...

Should local councils ensure they do not mislead drivers using car parking facilities?

Is a local authority extorting money by false pretences when its pay-and-display machine takes your money and issues a ticket for a time when parking is actually not permitted? I was recently issued with...

Recommend new tyres for my Audi A6 Allroad?

I would value your recommendations for tyre replacements for my Audi A6 Allroad. It is on 245/40s and at present has Pirelli P Zero Rossos at the back and Dunlop Sportmaxes at the front. I find it a great...

I've been threatened with a Norwich Pharmacal Order by a parking company - what should I do?

I received a PCN for parking on private land from Civil Enforcement Limited. After reading all the various online comments about private parking and the legitimacy of the fees, I chose to write back telling...

How do I know which Fiat Doblo models have ABS?

I want to buy a used Fiat Doblo van 2001 - 2005 and have up to £3000. For safety reasons I want it to have ABS. Is there any model I should look out for that has this function?

Does my Ford Galaxy have a turbocharger fault?

I pull a large caravan with my 2006 Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI 115ps, within towing regulations. In France on a long hill, not overly steep, there was a big drop in power - it felt like the turbo dropped out....

We need a new MPV - what do you suggest?

Our Volkswagen Golf is coming to the end of its life after over 170,000 trouble-free miles and we'd like some advice on getting a new MPV. Whatever we buy we want to keep for another 10 years at least....

Do premium fuels de-coke turbochargers as well as injection components?

This is a very important question as many vehicle owners suffer sticking vanes in turbochargers due to carbon build-up, which is very expensive to fix. Do any of the super fuels (V-Power, Ultimate or Excellium)...

I need to replace my Hyundai Terracan with something cheaper to run - would a Skoda Scout be suitable?

I have a Hyundai Terracan 2.9CRDT manual. It has 118,000 miles on the clock, I'm lucky if it is worth £4000. The Terracan does 22-24mpg and I need something with better fuel economy, reasonable ground...

What's wrong with my Audi A3's rear wiper?

A few weeks ago my Audi A3's rear wiper started coming on on its own when I was using the front wipers. Now the rear wiper has stopped working altogether. Any ideas?

Can you recommend an estate car for high mileages and long distances?

I currently own and drive a 1998 Audi A4 1.8. I am 23 with one child and due to get married next year. Being in the forces, I am doing a fair few miles each weekend to and from camp and the cost of petrol...

Should a Saab 9-5 have oil changes every 6000 miles even after the 2004 revision?

I note you recommend an oil change every 6000 miles for four-pot Saab 9-5 petrol engines. Does this apply to engines after Saab introduced a 'fix' circa 2004 for the sludge problem? As a Saab fan I half...

Should I buy a Volkswagen Golf or a Mazda 3?

I have a budget of no more than £6500 and am looking for a smallish car, something like a Volkswagen Golf or Mazda 3, no more than four years old. Which of these would you recommend?

Why is my 2001 Vauxhall Corsa turning itself off?

When I start my 2001 Vauxhall Corsa when the engine is cold, everything works, but once my engine has heated up the engine turns off! I try to start the car again and it starts (sometimes it won't), but...

Does the 2004 Vauxhall Astra have a timing belt or chain?

I'm going to buy a Vauxhall or Opel Astra 1.4 Life soon. It is a 2004 model with 81,000 miles on it. I just wanted to know whether these models come with timing belts or chains? Also, are these cars generally...

I'm being prosecuted for speeding but the police won't supply photographic evidence. What should I do?

In January I received a speeding ticket for an alleged offence in November. I wrote to the authorities asking for the photographic evidence they informed me they had twice, and got a reply the second time...

I want to buy a Volkswagen Golf V but am worried about the ESP fault - how do I know if it's been fixed?

I'm going to take a look at a 56-reg MkV Volkswagen Golf TDI at a local independent dealer at the weekend. I've had quick browse on here and found a lot of people talking about the ESP fault that seems...

Which are the best runflat tyres currently available?

You recommend fitting third generation runflat tyres to improve ride quality, but I have been unable to find any for sale in the UK. The most common mentioned is the Bridgestone Turanza but that was the...

My insurance won't cover all the fire damage to my classic Ford Prefect - why?

I have a 1952 Ford Prefect insured third party, fire and theft. A fault in the trafficator caused the loom to short. The dash, headlining, door card, front carpet, steering wheel and driver's seat are...

Are the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 identical?

We need a cheap small secondhand runabout with low insurance, road tax and running costs and for teenagers to learn to drive in. The Aygo, C1 and 107 are essentially the same car, but I'm concerned that...

My Audi A4 has a fuel leak - should Audi contribute to repairing it?

My three-year-old Audi A4 Cabriolet has developed a fuel leak somewhere low down behind the engine. Is this a known fault and am I likely to persuade Audi to contribute to correcting the problem?

Why does my Peugeot 405 seem faster, as well as more noisy?

I have an N-reg Peugeot 405 TD and for the past week the car has got a lot quicker, but this has come with a noise during boost. What would you say it was?

Which petrol Skoda Octavia model should we go for?

My wife and I drive a 1997 Mercedes-Benz C240 Elegance. We plan to keep the C240 and buy a more modern car with more luggage space for grandchildren. With no VAT, the Skoda Octavia Elegance Estate looks...

My licence has apparently been revoked and I'm expecting a summons - help!

I was stopped on 30 August 2010 and the police officer said my licence was revoked in 2004. I have been stopped numerous times before and have always been legal. They impounded my car, even though my father...

I bought a car with a badly chipped windscreen - can I reject it?

I just went to the local Nissan dealer to trade in my Nissan, and purchased a Vauxhall. I saw the Vauxhall on Sunday and everything looked ok. I went into the office to finalise the paperwork today and...

Why is my Renault Laguna's clutch rattling?

The clutch on my Renault Laguna has now developed a rattle. Any ideas what this could be?

Does the Ford Kuga diesel have an Eolys-treated DPF system?

I am interested in a Ford Kuga Diesel, but have read that it may have an Eolys additive system on it. Going on various friends' bad experiences with this sort of set-up, I absolutely will not buy a diesel...

Is this Vauxhall Vectra a good buy for £1500?

I'm thinking of buying a 52-reg Vauxhall Vectra 2.0 DTI diesel. It's in excellent condition and has done 97,000 miles. Everything works as it should and it's £1500, with a 12-month MOT and tax until December....

Has my Renault Clio's cam belt snapped?

I bought a secondhand Renault Clio not too long ago, to learn to drive in. I was driving around a corner (very slow!) when the car just cut out, and there was a slight hiss sound (not for long, about two...

Where's the diagnostic point on my 1999 Volkswagen Golf?

I've been told the diagnostic point on my 1999 Volkswagen Golf is located beneath the heater controls but I cannot see it. Can you help?

Recommend a first car and insurance company for a new driver?

I am a 28-year-old female, living in North Yorkshire and looking to purchase my first car after just passing my driving test. Budget is my main priority. Concerning both vehicle and insurance, are there...

Can I fit 225-45-17 winter tyres to my Alfa Romeo 159?

I'll be driving to Austria in December and I have been offered four winter tyres (225-45-17) in very good condition. I have an Alfa Romeo 159 SW 1.9 JTD with 225-50-17 tyres. Will the different tyre section,...

Where can I buy snow chains in the UK?

As winter approaches I have been trying to source some emergency snow chains. I was shown these gadgets from someone who had them in Sweden. They are very simple to use, and effectively are two metal rods...

Which cars have a heated windscreen like that fitted to the Nissan Pathfinder?

I see that one of your readers, in reviewing a Nissan Pathfinder, says it needs a heated screen. Just a general question - does any manufacturer other than Ford do these as a standard fit? I'm talking...

At what point do short journeys negatively affect diesel particulate filters?

You often talk about the relationship between short journeys from cold in diesel engine cars and the premature failure of diesel particulate filters. In this context what do you class as a short journey?...

Which is the best pick-up truck for under £5000?

What would you say is the best option for a sub-£5000 pick-up truck?

Is it worth chipping my 2006 Ford Focus?

I am considering buying a chip for my 2006 Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI Diesel (136bhp) at a cost of £395. This is suppose to improve performance to 168bhp and improve fuel economy by 20 per cent. Could you tell...

Why isn't my Volkswagen Passat's DPF clogging when I use it for just 7000 miles per year?

You keep talking about the problems associated with DPFs. I have a 56-reg Volkswagen Passat TDI 140 and I only do 7000 miles a year. My daily commute is a round trip of 20 miles and I would rarely do anything...

I'm unable to complete an S172 for speeding as we don't know who was driving. What should I do?

After returning home from a short break in August I received A NIP and S172 from Humberside police. The alleged offence occurred on a stretch of road we had commuted back and forth along to the coast several...

My Hyundai ix35 is seriously delayed - what can I do?

I ordered a Hyundai ix35 4WD in May 2010 for delivery in August. I was told in August that the car would be delayed, but that they had a 2WD option I could have for delivery on 1 September. I agreed to...

My Rover 75's radiator is leaking after the garage changed my clutch master cylinder. Is this related?

I've just got my Rover 75 back from the garage. They replaced the clutch master cylinder. I drove the car home, about two miles, and noticed water coming from the cap on the radiator.

I've been prosecuted for speeding even though my wife was driving the car. What can I do?

I had a summons in the post saying I had driven at 41mph in a 30mph limit, and I could plead not guilty in writing. I did so, as my wife was driving the kids to nursery (in the vehicle which was speeding)...

Does my 2010 Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC ES have a DPF?

Does the above vehicle have a diesel particulate filter? No mention was made about this when my wife and I ordered one last month from our local Honda dealer. Neither is there any mention of this in the...