Ticking over a turbo to cool it down

Recently purchased a Ford Mondeo turbo diesel and cannot recall how long to tick over after a run. Could you please advise.

Buying a car that was previously clocked?

A local used car dealer has a 2009 59 Volvo for sale in lovely condition. He has told me that it was stolen from his pitch 8 months ago at 20,000m but turned up in Kent at the end of December (someone...

Coolant leak on a 207

Our car is a Peugeot 207 1.4. Bought it after reading all your reviews which are SO helpful. We recently had a service and were notified 'coolant housing on cylinder head leaking' and quoted £174.40 to...

Buying a nearly new BMW 325iSE- is this a reliable model?

I currently own a BMW 320iSE, March 2008, 28,000 miles,petrol, manual and am very pleased with it. I have seen a 325i SE, at a main BMW dealer, April 2011, 3,100 miles, petrol, manual for £18,995. They...

Lights out

This winter, with dark rush hour mornings and evenings, I am appalled at the number of drivers who have seriously faulty lights. I see them in the dark mornings so presumeably they also return home in...

What tyres?

I checked the front tyres on my 22,000 mile 2009 Ford Focus and discovered that they had minimum tread left. Which brand of tyre should I go for as replacements (205/55 R16 V)?

Buying or leasing best option for high milleage?

I do approx 25k miles a year in my Mercedes-Benz C180k (03 reg) and am looking to get a new car. I'm not sure whether to use the Ford privilege discount my brother gets to buy a new Ford Focus 1.6 diesel...

Problems with my Audi on full-lock!

I have to apply full lock (or almost) to get out of my drive as cars park either side. I have noticed that the car jolts and makes a noise. The jolt is a little like a skid. I have had the car 2 weeks,...

Brake issues with Mercedes-Benz E-Class

My E-Class started perfectly and did a 5km run and I put on the screen heater briefly. The following day the car started perfectly but the screen warning of electrical systems disconnected with red...

What's the usual mph/rpm ratio?

My friends Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 Auto Diesel does 60mph at 2000 rpm in top gear on a flat road. I think this is about 500rpm too much. There is no change in rpm when switching the gear change from normal...

Hyundai or Kia?

If you had a choice between a Hyundai ix35 or a Kia Sportage which company would you go with. Both cars look the same to me, but I'm leaning towards the Hyundai as its warranty is unlimited mileage and...

New Ford Ranger DPF

I have just watched your excellent video on the new Ford Ranger. You make the point that, when cruising on the motorway, the engine will be revving at 2000rpm. Will this be enough to activate the DPF?...

Heated front screens

We now live in Dorset after retiring and moving from Chislehurst. We get a lot of frosts in the morning and the wife likes the Ford because of its quick clear heated windscreen. Any other similar car...

Warranties for SAABs?

My father and I run our own company, he (against my advice) took out a contract hire (non maintenance) on a Saab 9-3 1.9ttid4, brand new 11-plate car. Small issue but one of the tyre pressure sensors...

When to sell and what to buy?

I'd apprecate advice, please. Have had a 2005 Mondeo TDCI LX from one year old; now done 60K gentle miles, 1500 of them towing lightweight caravan (950kg). Main concern is cheapness to run, mainly avoiding...

Buying a new small car - can't decide which one!

I'm looking to change my 54 plate clio (which I've loved) for a new supermini with 5 doors. Budget is about £9,500 so have been looking at nearly new cars. I've found a Renault Clio Dynamique TomTom (61...

Converting a Scenic to LPG

I have a plan to convert my Scenic (Auto), model year 2002, to LPG. Can you please advise if it make sense convering it as it's 10 years old now. I'ts done around 95000 miles already. I cover a distance...

Which hot hatch?

I am thinking of buying a hot hatch, a Focus ST, Civic Type-R or Golf GTI. I have £8000 to spend and I am in my mid thirties. Which one would be the best all rounder?

Should I change my car?

We have a 2004 (04) Golf 1.9 TDI which goes as well now (109,000miles) as when we bought it 6 years ago. The next service (116K) will necessitate new cam belt (number 2) plus extras, some brake work...

Replacing a well loved Xsara Picasso

I’m 66 and 6’10” tall and have run a Xsara Picasso Exclusive 2.0 HDi from 2004, which I love. Everything about it is right for me; however, it is approaching eight years and 100,000 miles so probably...

Buying my company car back

I have the chance to buy my Ford Mondeo Titanium X 1.8 57 plate Estate car at a price of £2,600 at the end of the lease deal in June. It will have covered just over 100,000 miles by then and will have...

Traction control on or off in snow?

Honest John has previously advised that ESP/ESC should turned off when driving in snowy or icy conditions. My Skoda has ASR (anti-skid regulation) but not full blown ESP. Is it advisable to switch off...

Estate for big dog and camping family

I am currently running a 56 Mondeo ST Tdci Estate with 46k on the clock. I'm looking to change for something with the same driving dynamics and load carrying capacity. I'm happy to have an auto, to avoid...

Buying a new small car

I am looking to replace an 8 year old Toyota Yaris 1.0 3 door, which I've generally been happy with. Am happy with the size and level of comfort, do about 10-12,000 miles a year and don't need 5 doors....

Replacing a Suzuki Jimny

I have had Suzuki Jimnys for 10 years and this suits me but not a comfortable ride for a passenger (although I don't often take one) and, as write ups say, it is not the best! Wish to stay with a 4wd...

Daytime running lights - required?

Having ordered a new Suzuki Swift for March delivery, I cannot find out whether DRL's will be fitted. What is the legal date of manufacture when these lights have to be fitted please? Many thanks in advance. John...

Rattle from rear of Jaguar S-Type Diesel

There's an annoying rattle from rear underside of my 2006 S-Type(52,000 miles) on bumpy roads. Local Jag specialist thought it was rear suspension bushes which cost £190 to replace and was ineffective....

Replacement for C3 with space in the back

I am thinking of replacing my Citreon C3, but currently squeeze 5 bales of hay into it every weekend for my horses. I have always wanted a pick-up but they are heavier and I drive 17 miles to work each...

Buying a used Legacy

I am thinking of buying a 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.0 turbo diesel with about 50,000 miles on it. Can you advise on what are the things to watch our for when buying this car?

Regenerating my DPF

I seem to remember you saying that if there is a period of low speed, short journeys the engine should be run at 2000revs+ for a period of 15 minutes each week in order to regenerate the Particulate Filter. My...

Snow chains and winter tyres

I have a Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI with summer tyres fitted. Tyre size 205/55/R16. I have a set of snow chains that fit. I'm planning to get a set of winter tyres and Skoda have recommended 195/65/R15. My...

Can you suggest a good car for my needs?

I am a 33yr old female who has owned her Peugeot 207 for 10 years. Sadly it's increasingly creaky and temperamental after a life of good service. I have a 10k budget to buy something new. I don't drive...

Buying an easy access car, please recommend

My wife suffers wife a back problem and needs a new car which she can "climb" into rather than "drop" into. Please suggest a car, we would prefer AWD & automatic transmission. Having read earlier advice...

Trading in for a coupe/ roadster

I have a special edition 2002 Ford Focus Chic (3 door, full leather trim, done 79k miles) that I am thinking of trading in for a used coupe/roadster. I would be grateful if I could hear your thoughts...

ESP failure on my Touran

I own a 2003 Volkswagen Touran with 93,000 miles on the clock. The ESP lights have come on and also the engine still runs after taking out the key. I have read lots about the ESP failure on this forum....

Buying a second hand van

My van was stolen back in December. I used it to carry big drums around to schools to do workshops. I don't know much about vans at all and am finding the whole searching thing really distressing. I...

Citroen C4 clutch replacement - do I need a flywheel too?

I have been quoted amounta around the £800 mark for replacing the cklutch on a 2006 C4 HDI with a dps. It appears alot of the cost relates to also replacing the flywheel- which the garage state is "recommended"....

Time to replace the DPF

I have Focus Estate 1.6tdi(110) which is due for its 6-year service and my local Ford dealer tells me the DPF is due for replacement at a cost of several hundred pounds. The car has only done 55k and...

How do I keep my new i40 healthy?

I take delivery of a Hyundai i40 diesel in March and have read your posts about Particulate Filters with interest. 4 My mileage has fallen dramatically since retirement and I now complete small journeys...

Second clutch replacement 10k after the first?

We have a 2009 Peugeot 207 1.4hdi (no DMF or DPF system on this one, thankfully!). Bought it at a year old with two year manufacturer warranty remaining. It was on 19k when we bought it, and three months...

MINI 'surging.'

We have just bought a brand new Mini One diesel for our eighteen-year-old. Both my husband and I have experienced dangerous power surges that lurch the car forward when taking the foot off the clutch....

Buying a cheap to tax car for commuting

I need a new car 1.3-1.6 for commuting 60 miles a day with good mileage and low road tax. Needs to be value for money?

Evans Halshaw Warranty - does it cover my DMF?

I bought a Saab 9-3 Vector 1.9TID in June last year. It is a 2008 model with 78,000 on the clock. I took extended 2 year warranty out with it when purchased from Evans Halshaw Stockport. I have done...

Overfuelling Polo GTI

Is there a known problem with high oil consumption in the current Twincharged Polo GTI 1.4?

Can you recommend a good car with easy access for elderly drivers?

My husband (aged 86) is finding it increasingly difficult to get in and out of our rather low-slung Vauxhall Vectra Club, so we are looking for a used car that offers easy ingress/egress for the not so...

Can I fit different wheels and tyres to my BMW 330Ci to improve the ride quality?

I have a 2004 BMW 330Ci Sport convertible. It is a lovely car except for the rock-hard ride caused by the sports suspension with 18-inch wheels and 35/40 profile tyres. Since it will need two new tyres...

Can my daughter claim from the local Highways Dept for a new tyre after hitting a pothole?

My daughter hit a pothole in a local lane. The hole was nearly 6 feet long, 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep. She had to have a new tyre and the tracking realigned at a total cost of £140. I contacted...

Audi covered all the parts cost for a replacement clutch in my out-of-warranty S3.

I have an Audi S3 just out of warranty and owned by me from new. It has just 36,000 miles on the clock. Around a year ago I experienced a problem that felt like a slipping clutch but only in fourth or...

Which version of the Jaguar XJ gives the best ride quality?

We might buy a 2-year-old Jaguar XJ. Is there any different in ride quality between a SWB and LWB version?

Does the stop-start system still operate when a hot turbo needs to be cooled down with the engine running?

I understand the objective of stop-start, but it seems to contradict something I have always done after a long or fast trip: leave the engine to idle for a few minutes. I can’t remember why exactly I do...