Why are cars supplied with low profile tyres, and how can I improve the ride on my Range Rover?

I wondered if you would be kind enough to tell me why car manufactures fit low profile tyres to their vehicles as 'standard'. My brother bought a new Jaguar, which was supplied with them on, and he noticed...

My Volvo XC60 can't return claimed mpg figures - why?

I own a Volvo XC60 D3 Manual Drive, which I bought new in October 2010 and which has completed 12,000 miles of almost exclusively extra urban runs at 60-70mph in sixth gear. Whilst it is a lovely car in...

Which extras should I pay for in my new BMW X3?

I am trying to spec a new BMW F25 X3, which I know is a car you recommend. There are several very expensive extras I would like but the prices are serious. Xenon lights are £920 and a towbar is £765. In...

Which twin-cab pickup to replace our ageing Mercedes-Benz?

We have a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E270 showing 150k miles, which is now developing some issues. We have spent a lot this year on a new clutch, ball joints etc. Though it is used almost exclusively for business,...

Can premium fuel help improve my Toyota Verso's fuel consumption?

Further to our brief correspondence before Christmas concerning the increase in my Toyota's Verso D-4D’s diesel consumption, I'm pleased to report that Shell V-Power, as you recommended, seems to have...

Do you have Golden Spanner Awards? I'd like to nominate Trevor King of Epsom for repairing the ECU in my A-Class Mercedes-Benz.

My 10-year-old, 30,000 miles, serviced by Mercedes-Benz A-Class suffered the dreaded ECU fault warning light. The Mercedes-Benz garage informed me a repair would cost £1700 if it was the gearbox or £6000...

How can I get a cheap Lexus?

Your correspondent who buys cars with high depreciation is on the right track, but I've refined the idea even further. Go to your local Lexus dealer and ask them for the name of the local independent car...

Which seven-seater 4x4 to replace our ageing Nissan Pathfinder?

I have a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder diesel that has done nearly 70,000 mainly trouble-free miles, but is getting close to replacement as it stubbornly refuses to do more than 32mpg and the rearmost seats are...

My Freelander 2's autobox failure should have been prevented by a recall but I wasn't notified - what should I do?

Further to my earlier correspondence regarding autobox failure on my August 2007 Freelander 2 at 35,000 miles, the Land Rover dealer wanted £3500 to fit a new box and £2300 up front to buy it. The dealer...

Does my 2005 Ford Mondeo have a dual mass flywheel?

I have a 2005 Mondeo 2.0 diesel with 180,000 on the clock. It has been a great car and the only expense apart from brake pads and discs was a new alternator. I want to keep the car for another two years...

What do you think of the new compressed air-powered Mini CAT?

The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy N. for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air to push its engine's pistons and make the car go. Tata Motors of India has scheduled the Air Car to...

Which tyres for my 2009 Ford Mondeo?

My three-year-old Mondeo Titanium is coming up for new tyres soon. It currently has factory-fitted Goodyear Excellence tyres, which I have found to be rather noisy. What can you recommend as alternatives?

I fitted factory spec wheels with winter tyres to my Honda Jazz and incurred a 'modification' penalty on my insurance. Is this necessary?

I recently changed the 16-inch alloy wheels and tyres on my Honda Jazz and fitted 15-inch steel wheels with cold weather tyres (the only size of winter tyres available for the Jazz). The 15-inch replacements,...

Does Nottingham Police Force see the motorist as an easy target?

I wrote to Nottingham police and asked them if they treated motorists and real criminals equally. They replied saying "The vast majority of the public never actually has any contact with the police at...

My daughter's 2006 Fiat Panda has developed a power steering fault at just 19,000 miles - why?

Based on excellent reviews, I encouraged my young daughter to buy a 2006 Fiat Panda and up to now she has been very pleased with it. It has now done just 19,000 miles. A problem has now occurred with the...

Which luxury SUV offers good comfort and a quiet ride?

I have a four-year-old facelift Jaguar XJ 2.7 V6 diesel Sovereign, which I have owned from new and now has 98,000 miles under its belt. It has been a wonderful car, smooth, quiet, economical and reliable,...

Should I get a small diesel car or small petrol car?

Which car is cheaper and better to run please, considering the cost of diesel. A 2009 Fiat Panda Multijet diesel or a 2006 Toyota Aygo petrol? I am getting around 60mpg out of my diesel Panda, but with...

My 2006 Mercedes-Benz A-Class has a serious rust problem - why won't Mercedes' warranty cover the repair?

I recently purchased a 2006 Mercedes-Benz A170 from a non-Mercedes garage. On washing and waxing my pride and joy I noticed three rust bubbles on the lower part of the front passenger door, so immediately...

Why are MoT certificates now provided on basic printouts?

I have just MoTd my car, and wondered where the certificate was amongst the bundle of papers handed back to me. All data was plain text with the exception of the signature, which was the usual 'sweep'....

Can I disconnect the alarm in my Volkswagen Passat?

The alarm on my Passat keeps going off. I do not want to spend money on diagnostics as my experience is that these problems reoccur. Is it possible for me to immobilise it completely? If so, how?

Why doesn't anyone make a V6-engine family car any more?

I am looking to replace my car in 2012. I currently have a 2004 MG ZS 180 five door which has covered 255,000 miles and has been a brilliant car in its reliability and build quality, but most of all it...

Which SUV to replace my Toyota RAV4?

I would appreciate your advice on what would be a good replacement for my 8-year old RAV4, which has been excellent. Should I look at the latest RAV4 or what others should I consider? I am looking to replace...

Why is ABS part of the MoT?

My Megane recently failed its MoT because the ABS was out of action. I told the tester that I did not need or want ABS. I have driven for more than 50 years in all sorts of conditions and never used ABS....

Is it wise to keep a spare tyre in case of needing replacement at short notice?

I had a puncture on Christmas morning and I asked the RAC on Boxing Day to fit the space-saver wheel onto my Fiat Panda. All local tyre firms were closed until Wednesday, and it then took three attempts...

How can I repair my Mini Cooper cabriolet's hood?

My question is pretty basic and concerns my dear wife's 2004 BMW Mini Cooper cabriolet's hood. The car is low mileage, but the hood has been up and down very regularly and is showing quite significant...

Which 4WD SUV to replace my Freelander?

Against my better judgement I have owned two Land Rover 1.8 petrol Freelanders and, as predicted, both have been unreliable with many problems over the years. Despite that I still like the car. It is the...

Why are Hyundai and KIA's extended guarantees so successful?

I seem to remember that Daewoo used extended guarantees to promote their cars in the 1990s, that I don't recall was particularly successful at the time. Whilst realising that the quality of the car is...

Where can we hire a Volkswagen camper van?

We are going to a festival and are thinking of hiring a Volkswagen camper van or similar for the weekend. Please would you recommend a suitable hire company that we could use?

Who is responsible for taking care of my Saab's warranty?

My wife's Saab 9-3, new in April 2011 with the 1.9 diesel, needs correction of a faulty heater but the sellers will not embark on the work under warranty. The retailer surely takes responsibility for the...

How can I improve my Mazda MX-5's handing in snow?

My MkII Mazda MX-5 1.8i Icon becomes unsteerable in wet snow (by me, anyway). To make matters worse, the ABS robs me of the brakes completely in slush. Would winter tyres help me with either or both -...

Which small automatic up to 1.4-litre should I buy?

I have been driving for over 50 years and, having had my current car for over seven years, I am thinking of buying a smaller, more economical model, possibly an automatic up to 1.4-litre. Could you please...

Why do my Golf's windows open when parked in the rain?

I have a 2009 Golf 1.4 TSI SE which is still under warranty. Last night we had very high winds and heavy rain and, when I looked this morning, all four windows of my car were open at the same level and...

Why is my daughter's 2002 Golf leaking?

My daughter's 2002 Volkswagen Golf has developed a irritating bladder disorder with water pooling in the footwell. She cannot find the source of the leak. The car is no longer used daily and is parked...

Why are my Citroen Xsara's brake discs wearing faster than the pads?

I have a 2009 Citroen Xsara Picasso (1.6i petrol) and recently took it for its second service. The dealer has informed me that the brake discs are worn and need replacing even though the original brake...

Can you advise your readers to haggle when renewing their car insurance?

Folks shouldn't just accept their car insurance renewal quote. Last year I went to LV. This year's renewal was an 8 per cent increase for exactly the same conditions. I went on a comparison site and obtained...

Since Saab was liquidated, are my warranty and breakdown cover invalid?

I am the owner of a Saab 9-3 and have been hit by the company's liquidation. I am told by my dealer that both the warranty and the three years breakdown cover are no longer valid. Would you please cover...

Fined for damage we didn't cause to a rental car

Returning an Avis hire car to Munich airport, small scuff marks on two alloy wheels were wrongly attributed to my party. We collected the car at night from a reasonably lit carpark, where we duly checked...

What's the punishment for damaging tyres?

In our local community we have suffered 15 tyre stabbings in the last 12 months involving a sharp pointed implement. Some victims tyres have appeared normal and then deflated later during journeys. What...

Alleged insurance incident in car park - what do we do?

A woman friend, aged about 80, has recently been accused by another woman of scraping her Mercedes in a public car park. The Mercedes owner stated that, two weeks previously, she had parked next to...

Can I get any extras for my 500?

I'm ordering a Fiat 500 Twinair soon on finance. Any haggling/bargaining to be done with Fiat in terms of options? Not quite sure how it would work in terms of finance, but do you know any ways? Bought...

Downsizing from a V8 Jaguar

I've just moved back to full time employment after working for myself for the last 9 years. I'll be doing a 60 mile round trip every day and need to replace my S Type R - 4.2 litres of V8 just isn't going...

Speed cushion damage - what can I do?

I just noticed on my summer rims the inner tyre wall is broken. They're Audi factory rims, 235-45/17 Kuhmos, about 3-4mm tread, no curb contact. How may I claim against my local authority?

Porsche Cayenne

I am thinking of buying a new Cayenne. Do you have any advice on the suitability of the diesel over petrol version? As I drive only 12000 miles a year is the improved MPG a false economy when put against...

Should I buy an extended warranty?

Just been sent an extended warranty from VW. I'd have to hand over £600 and all major componants would be covered, peace of mind etc etc. But in the small print we have wear and tear - as you know, after...

When can we expect a review of the Mazda CX-5?

When do you expect to be able to do a hands on review of the new Mazda CX-5?

Should I buy a high mile Megane?

Have seen a very tidy Renault Megance 1.5 dci for sale for £1750 ovno, the car comes with full years tax and mot. However it has 121,000 on the clock, is this a good price or should I walk away?

I bought a car that was previously written off

I purchased a car and found some steering faults with it, I traced a previous owner to learn some history and he informed me the vehicle had been written off two years previously, it appears the insurance...

Buying a 'trade sale' car?

Are my rights affected re Sale of Goods act if I buy a car from a dealer who claims they sell vehicles at trade prices aimed at businesses? I bought a vehicle as a consumer a month ago and want to return...

How do I run in an Audi A4?

I am due to take delivery of a new A4 Auto 2.0 Petrol and wondering about running it in. I am due to drive to Ireland - mostly motorway and fast 'A' Roads. The owners manual says "no more than 2/3s maximum...

Which wheels and tyres for a 2010 3 Series

The alloys factory fitted to this vehicle are 17 inch V spoke style 285. Tyres are Bridgestones 225/45 R 17. I have covered only 17,000 miles and the rear tyres will shortly need replacing. A neighbour...