Who pays for this repair?

I have a 2008 Ford focus 1.6 Zetec petrol, manual gearbox. Purchased this car in April this year from ford main dealer. car had done 7400 miles. It has now done 11500. Just had to get garage to look...

Bought car from garage - foot wells are now full of water

I purchased a 52 reg Pegueot 307 yesterday, today I noticed the foot wells in front are drenched with water. Drivers side is worst. Cannot see any holes in bottom of car. Do you know what could be causing...

What tyres for an A1?

I have had an Audi A1 from new and it came with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 215 45 R16 90V tyres. They handle great but I was hoping for a bit more wear out of them. It has done just under 14,000 and needs...

Dodgy dealer - do I have any recourse?

Do I have any rights? QA finance company advertised a Discovery at just under £15k. I drove it on a Friday and on Saturday agreed via text a price of £14,750. I was told an invoice would be emailed and...

Shall I buy a Dacia Duster petrol or diesel

Intending to buy a Dacia Duster. We have a long unmade drive and often feel the effects of winter. Currently run a diesel Multipla for a family of five which has been great but we fancy new with a warranty....

Replacement car for the in-laws

I have been tasked with identifying a replacement car for my parents-in-law. Their budget is roughly £13k and whilst they would prefer a new car, they may be persuaded by a good 2nd hand model, as long...

Which estate for £10,000?

I am looking for a reliable family estate car with as big a boot as possible up to 4 years old and have about £10,000 to spend. What would you recommend?

Buying from Hertz Rent2Buy

Recently discovered the newly launched Hertz Rent2Buy programme, it sounds a really good way to buy a ex rental car, just wondering if there is any disadvantage?

Steering wheel vibration on a CR-V

I've recently bought a 2.2 CDTi Honda CR-V on an 09 plate, ES model on standard wheels/ cross contact LX tyres. At speeds over an indicated 70mph there is quite pronounced steering wheel vibration. Whilst...

Should I buy a spare wheel? It's optional.

As you suggested, I tested the Kia Venga as a replacement for our Signum. Thank you for that advice - I have now placed an order for a Venga 3 1.6 petrol manual. No spare tyre is supplied. Do you recommend...

Rough running Focus diesel?

When trying to accelerate hard in 4th or 5th gear my 2006 Focus TDCi is prone to misfiring with the resulting loss in power. At all other times acceleration is fine. What could be the cause of this?

Why are the Co2 levels in the Mini Cooper S and All 4 Countryman different?

I have just bought a new Mini Cooper S All 4 Countryman. Can you please explain why it is in a higher VED Tax bracket than the Mini Cooper S hatch which appears to have the same size engine, output and...

What car for my retirement?

Had a company car for last 35 years and about to retire, always been a petrol head but 3 years ago switched to a Mazda 6 2.2 diesel and now love it. Looking for a new or nearly new replacement @ £20K -...

Replacing a V70 with something sportier

I have had a Volvo V70 D5 AWD from new and after 8 years it has now done more than 170,000 miles. I would now like something sportier for about £15,000 plus trade in but as I live down a bumpy track a...

New car extended warranty - what do you suggest?

I have recently ordered VW Golf 1.4TSI Match through drivethedeal, I have been inspired through your forum and everything till now went fine. I am thinking of keeping the car more than five years, I have...

Citreon Nemo problems - could it be strut top mountings?

When stationary or moving very slowly, I get a almost creaking sound coming from steering wheel, do not notice at speed. Have noticed you have mentioned top suspension bearing failure cropping up on these...

Road tar damaged my tyres - is the council liable?

In June this year I came across a freshly resurfaced B-road. I kept my speed below 20mph and could hear the odd stone chip under the car. When I turned into my gravel driveway all four wheels become 'pebbledashed'....

Registration cloned and parking ticket issued - how can I contest it?

I received a 'Penalty Charge Notice' issued on 26 June 2012 from Bristol City Council. I reside in Sheffield and have not been to Bristol for years. On the day in question I attended an appointment here...

How are car parking enforcement agencies able to get away with this?

As you've covered Parking Eye before I thought you should know about their antics in Weymouth. They run Weymouth Old Town East car park and last Sunday I parked there, bought my pay and display ticket,...

Why is my Beetle's restoration so expensive and slow?

Last November I put my Volkswagen Beetle 1303 into a classic Volkswagen specialist for a restoration. By the end of May the restoration of the body was complete and I had paid them £21,610. Since then,...

How can insurance companies justify premium increases for no reason?

Why has my car insurance increased by about 40 per cent to £390.68 when I have had no change of circumstances? Why can I buy the same insurance with the same underwriter on a price comparison site for...

Honest John asks for clarification on the Parking Charge Appeals Process.

From HJ to NM (HJ seeks advice from NM): Please can you confirm how the Parking Charge Appeals Process will work? My understanding is that the keeper becomes liable for the charge if he does not identify...

Why didn't I try not sitting on my wallet before?

On my regular commute from Le Havre to Barcelona in the 1980s I suffered pain in the sciatic nerve. Eventually, after trying everything, I took my wallet from the right hip pocket and thereafter my XJ6...

Was my accident caused by a transmission fault?

I have a 2011 Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.2TSI 105 7-speed DSG automatic, which is an excellent short journey runabout but it takes its time moving off from cold or within the warming-up period, and also an...

Is the Suzuki Splash a 'proper' automatic?

I am considering buying a Suzuki Splash automatic which is on a special deal with a discount equivalent to the VAT. They have offered £3200 for my 2007 Fiat Panda which I have owned from new with only...

Do I need to idle my turbo Skoda after long drives?

I recently bought a Skoda Superb Classic automatic, but because of my fairly low annual mileage and many short journeys I opted for the 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine against the more expensive but more...

BMW X3 or Range Rover Evoque?

I will be selling my BMW 5 Series Touring soon. I have had back problems and, after driving to Scotland, am left in significant pain which takes a day or so to ease. I thought that a higher seating position...

Why did a Speed Awareness Course increase my insurance premium?

I selected and paid for my car insurance via a comparison website, but I was later contacted and asked if I had been on a Speed Awareness Course. I said that I had. The premium went up by £53. This was...

Which diesel fuel for my Land Rover Discovery?

I live in Northern Ireland and recently bought my first diesel-engined car, a Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE automatic. I would like to use Shell V-Power but it is not sold in Northern Ireland. Are there any...

Is this a loophole that could be used to avoid paying parking tickets?

So far I have not been caught by private parking enforcers, but I have some ideas if I ever am. For example, if I'm in breach of contract with anyone, it's with the owner of the supermarket or whatever,...

Is this a good tip for solving an airbag warning light malfunction?

If an airbag light goes on, a quick fix may be as follows. The nearside airbag is linked to a sensor in the passenger seat. That link is through a multipin electric plug and socket under the seat. Apparently...

How fast will a Volvo S80 depreciate?

I've read that the Volvo S80 2012 could depreciate in value by up to 80 per cent after just three years and 30,000 miles. Could you please give me the reason why, as I am looking to purchase a 25,000 mile...

I need a car with good disabled access to replace my Saab 9-5 - what do you recommend?

My Saab 9-5 is getting old and I want to replace it to meet some specific needs, including driving elderly and often disabled people to hospital and other appointments. I'm looking for a petrol car with...

Why are my rear brake pads wearing so fast?

I've done just over 30k miles in my SEAT Exeo, but I am getting what I consider to be unusual brake pad wear. The front brake pads are 20 per cent worn, if that, yet the rears are more than 80 per cent...

I need an MPV with a large boot and which can tow a caravan - what do you suggest?

I need to replace my LDV Maxus with a vehicle that is versatile and cost effective to buy, run and repair. I need a large amount of boot space and I also tow a four-berth caravan. A 4WD option would be...

Should my used Mazda have been supplied with both ignition keys?

On 20 August, I took delivery of a used Mazda MX-5 from a multi-franchised dealer in Wiltshire. Mazda is not one of Its franchises. I first saw the car two weeks ago and agreed to buy it. I left a £100...

BMW X3 or VW Toureg for long distance driving?

We'd like to buy either a Volkswagen Touareg Auto Altitude or a new style BMW X3 Auto, the latter looking to be cheaper to run. Have you any opinions on these two vehicles please? We are looking for a...

Should I buy another Audi or a KIA to replace my A6?

I have a 2003 Audi A6 which has served us well for the last eight years. I am now considering replacing it with a 2010/2011 2-litre A6 Avant SE. I would value your comments on its suitability for mixed...

Which new car for easy disabled access?

Following an accident when my left leg was damaged, I need a new car. The criteria are: easy to get in and out with seats not too low, automatic, four or five door, leather seats (so I can twist on them...

Which small automatic car to replace a Toyota Yaris?

My wife and I are considering replacing our cars. My wife is 67 and is currently on her second Toyota Yaris, a T-Spirit with MMT transmission, which she does not find as easy as her first, fully automatic...

Which automatic petrol saloon to replace my Vauxhall Omega?

I have a 2001 2.2-litre Vauxhall Omega automatic petrol saloon, and am now seeking a used replacement for the Omega. However most similar cars are seemingly not readily available with automatic gearboxes...

Can I recommend the Toyota IQ for carrying golf equipment?

You have had some recent letters re suitable cars for carrying golf equipment. My wife has a Toyota IQ and one of the conditions before purchase was that the car would have to accommodate a golf bag across...

Which front tyres for a 2007 Renault Laguna?

I have a 2007 Renault 2.0DCI Laguna which has Pirelli P7 tyres all round. I currently drive 10,000 miles a year on a mixture of roads. As I need to replace them to remain legal, I am wondering what tyres...

Experience leads me to now avoid TCP car parks entirely.

Further to DO's letter, whatever the opposite of la creme de la creme of car park operators is, TCP is it. I am perfectly willing to pay parking fines correctly issued, but such is my fear of having any...

Yaris fuel consumption 1.0 litre petrol - what should I get to the tank?

I currently own a 1999 Toyota Yaris petrol 1.0 litre. I just wanted to know how much I should expect on a full tank.

Ford Fiesta - Is this a good deal?

A Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCI is available at a local franchised dealers for £11000, first registered 31.03.11 with 3800 miles on the clock. Is this a good buy and are there any pitfalls I should check carefully?

Buying a 4x4 or estate - what to pick?

I am going to spend up to £6.5K on one of the following Audi 6 Avant (2005+), BMW 5 series estate (2004+) or Volvo XC90. Bearing in mind the likely age and mileage of these cars at this price and based...

Winter tyres: Your advice versus my Insurer's advice?

I'm fitting winter tyres to my front-wheel drive Roomster. Both the tyre dealer and my insurer (the latter checked with their technical dept) said front wheel tyres only were needed. The tyre dealer tried...

Crossover or true 4X4?

I drive on some really potholed tarmac roads, as well as normal roads and motorway. The new trend of crossover vehicles can have this electronic 4wd system, but are they then just jacked up cars with normal...

I have been offered some used winter tyres with good tread. Good idea?

I have been offered a set of Michelin Alpin winter tyres that were new last winter and had very little wear, about 6mm left, but they were fitted to a front wheel drive Octavia and I need them for a rear...