Drive the deal - Skoda Fabia

I was going to buy a Skoda Fabia Monte (Standard Red with black roof) from Drive the Deal, but when I was going through the process I noticed an option saying 'Special Solid Paint' for an additional £500....

Fiat electrics - two faults, are they related?

My Fiat Punto has been into the garage to have its failed heating/ventilation fan replaced, so that I could de-mist the windscreen again. After two days, it stopped working again, and now I've had to have...

Speeding and speed limits

I was recently driving a 3.5-tonne Luton van in Cambridgeshire, when I was caught doing 57mph in a 60mph zone (national speed limit on a single carriageway). The problem is that this was a 50mph maximum...

Does my Audi have xenons or not?

I have a dipped beam headlight bulb on my 2009 Audi A6 2.0TDI SE which has blown. How can I tell whether the bulb is Halogen or Xenon?

Thinking of trading my Ford Focus - I need more comfort

I have a 2010 Ford Focus, and find the handling slick and parking easy - but I feel the bumps on the road and would prefer a vehicle that gave me a more comfortable and relaxing ride. Maybe I should go...

Failed Nissan Connect in my Qashqai

My Nissan Connect sat-nav/ICE unit has failed and Glynn Hopkin are quoting £2615 + VAT to replace. I am waiting on Nissan Customer Care to respond with their contribution as my car was three weeks out...

Sudden loss of drive

Help! My 2001 Ford Mondeo 2.0-litre Duratec suddenly lost drive. I can select every gear without using the clutch, with the engine running! Could this be just a broken clutch plate, or something more costly...

I bought a duff second hand car. Can I get a refund?

Eight weeks ago, I bought a secondhand car for £2500. After I drove away, I had various problems: Broken reverse light Brake light out Front fog light not working Air conditioning broken (needs new tubes) Heated...

2006 Ford Focus turbocharger problem

I have a 2006 Ford Focus 1.6TDci LX that has only 70,000 miles on the clock, but has a failed turbo (bearings have collapsed!) The DPF is blocking, but the garage are sure they can burn it out, so it will...

Chrysler Grand Voyager tyre pressure valve problems

My sister in law has a Chrysler Grand Voyager which is nine months out of warranty. For the last year, the car has had to be taken to either the main dealer in Cornwall (35 miles from where she lives)...

Condensation on the inside. Why?

Last year, my 2009 Volkswagen Polo was frozen on the inside of the front and rear windows. I took it into the dealer, and unfortunately the weather wasn’t cold enough - so it didn’t freeze up. Now without...

Replacemet key for a Kangoo - where can I get one?

The button on my car key (automatic central locking/unlocking) is wearing out and not working properly anymore. How do I get a replacement key?

Why do manufacturers use cambelts?

Why do manufacturers use cam belts rather than chains on engines? Since a belt needs changing between 40-80k miles (model dependent) at a cost of £300+ and the failure of a belt would cost a lot more to...

Thinking of buying 2013 Golf - do the lower powered cars have simpler rear suspension?

Rumour has it that lower-powered versions have simpler rear suspension to save cost. Are you planning to road test one to see how much difference it makes to ride and handling?

Buying a Jaguar XK 5.0-litre Portfolio - do you have any advice?

My son is considering buying a 2009/10 Jaguar XK 5.0-litre Portfolio. Do you have any comments positive or negative about this car or would you recommend some other make and model in preference?

Why is a younger, higher mileage car a better buy than an older, lower mileage car?

In your answer to 'Three Pointed Tsar' on 6 October you said that it is better to buy a car with mileage too high than too low. Why?

What should I replace my Volkswagen Passat with?

My daughter runs a 2007 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 diesel Estate but no longer needs the space and needs to carry two smallish dogs and one husband. She doesn't want to buy brand new and only does 10,000 per...

Driving an automatic with two feet?

Do you advocate driving an automatic car with both feet?

Why isn't there somewhere for drivers to report other, dangerous road users?

Last week you published a letter from AP of Wakefield describing a driver's attempts to drive while texting and he took the car's number. I've seen similar things many times before, but always wondered...

New tyres for Ford Focus - which are best?

My 2010 five door Ford Focus Titanium diesel gets through a pair of tyres on average every 12,000 miles. The car was brought from new and came fitted with 235/40 R18 tyres on 18-inch bling alloy rims....

Should my dealer change my oil and filter?

I have a 2011 Audi 1.4 TFSI which has covered 6000 miles. It was filled initially with Longlife oil (VW 50400). The dealer says it should not be changed for another year. Am I right to insist that oil...

Is a Panda 1.2 4x4 suitable for harsh winter driving?

Our son will be living near the Scottish border for a year. I am thinking of buying him a Panda 1.2 4x4, and fitting it with winter tyres from November to March. Is this a sensible choice and is there...

Should I change the gearbox oil on my Volvo?

I have a 1999 Volvo V70 automatic which I've owned since new. To the best of my knowledge, the gearbox oil has never been changed. I can't find reliable advice on this, even from my garage, and the handbook...

What should I replace my Scirocco company car with?

I would like to replace my company Volkswagen Scirocco DSG with an Audi A3 Quattro. Unfortunately the new A3 won’t be out until next Autumn and I need to order a new car quickly. Are there any alternatives...

Do the turbochargers on Volkswagen Tiguans cause any problems?

Does the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TDI 170 have a supercharger and is that likely to cause any problems?

Where can I sell my cars and replace them with an MPV?

My husband, who sadly passed away recently, drove a Mercedes C250 which is under one year old with low mileage. I currently drive a Honda Jazz but I now need to sell both cars and replace them with an...

Have you officially recommended this satnav disc website?

I am looking to get an updated satnav DVD for a 5-year-old Honda. The dealer warns that anything other than a very expensive disc bought from them would not work properly, or could even damage the car's...

What should I replace my Peugeot 206 with?

I'm looking to replace my 2001 Peugeot 206. I’m looking for something no older than about four years and no more than £9000. I’m drawn to another 206 (now 207), but the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz have...

Why do presenters talk to the camera when driving?

Surely it is high time that the ridiculous, dangerous and presumably highly illegal practice of reporting to camera while driving on busy roads and motorways is brought to an end. No responsible, sensible...

Audi Q5 or BMW X3 - which SUV?

We intend to trade in our Audi Q5 2.0 TDI SE soon. Although the car has been reliable, the unsettled ride and the DSG gearbox have made us think twice about owning another Q5. We have dismissed the Range...

Can you recommend a replacement car for my Mercedes B180?

I would like to replace my Mercedes B180. I'm looking for a comfortable car with a slightly larger boot than the Mercedes.

Motorists were being persecuted for speeding in 1908, apparently.

Nothing is new, apparently. Average speed devices and the persecution of motorists were around at the beginning of the last century according to ‘The MotorCycle’ dated 29 April 1908. I thought you and...

Will Citroen help with C8 cam belt failure?

Our 2005 Citroen C8 broke down on the motorway when the cam belt snapped. I understand that when this happens damage can be caused to the engine/valves. The service manual states that the cam belt should...

Do all the electrical accessories in modern cars increase fuel consumption?

There seems to be an ever-growing number of electrically-powered devices in cars: digital instruments, heaters, fans, air conditioners, ever more powerful sound systems, built-in TVs, flashing indicators,...

Recently-purchased used vehicle destroyed by fire - where do I stand?

I purchased a used car from a reputable local dealership. One month later I noticed a loss of power and a harsh grinding sound immediately prior to pulling over. I opened the bonnet and noticed that the...

Which is the best MPV for wheelchair access?

I have a 2007 Renault Kangoo customised for wheelchair accessibility and am thinking of changing to a newer car with a bit more power. I was looking at the Peugeot Partner or Citroen Berlingo, but then...

Received a civil parking charge notice - is it genuine?

A civil parking charge notice was left on my car door window yesterday. The sign which displayed details of the parking restrictions (which I had never seen before) was mounted eight feet high on a wall,...

Did you know that some cars on the DVLA database can't be viewed by BPA members?

Good Morning, I liked your video interview on "What gets my goat": telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motoringvideo/9587196/Honest-John-what-gets-my-goat.html At the risk of raising your blood pressure even further,...

Received a ticket in a supermarket car park - what can I do?

I have just received a parking ticket from a supermarket car park. I called in on Saturday morning and left within fifteen minutes, and then visited again later the same evening. In between these visits...

My car registration has been cloned - should I tell the police?

I've received a Parking Charge Notice in respect of a Vauxhall Corsa with identical number plates to my car, which they claim was illegally parked in Cardiff in August. I live in Hampshire and only use...

My first car was a four-wheel Isetta, but now I drive a Hyundai ix20.

I was most interested to read about your first deal. My first car was an Isetta - the four wheel model. Bought secondhand in 1960 it unfortunately caught fire after a few months and was written off. However...

Can you ask your readers to check whether their insurance includes third party other vehicle cover?

I sit as a magistrate in the Midlands and would ask that this, if used, is done so anonymously. Over the last few months my colleagues and I have been dealing with a significant number of motorists who...

Which British sports car should I buy?

I would like to indulge my passion for British sports cars by buying either a Triumph Stag or a TVR Chimera or Griffith. The Stag is a classic but is of steel construction, whereas the TVRs are more modern...

Eleven people tried to help when I was broken down last night.

Last evening while waiting for roadside breakdown assistance, during an hour and forty minutes wait, I had no less than eleven people stop to ask if there was anything they could do to help. Such kindness...

Why does my insurance company offer cheap insurance to new customers, but keeps my premium high?

I read with interest MH of Camberley's letter re breakdown cover. I have had several identical conversations with a number of organisation covering domestic energy, telephone charges and more recently...

Which MPV should we replace our Berlingo with?

We have a Citroen Berlingo Multispace. Whilst I am happy with the shape, it feels huge, which makes parking more difficult, and I find the doors heavy and unwieldy. Please can you suggest which current...

How can my diesel engine become more resilient to short runs from cold?

Apparently short trips are not good for diesels. At work we use the Platinum Plus additive in our delivery van to make it burn off the soot in the DPF at a lower temperature. Our drivers report that performance...

I want to replace my Audi with something quieter - what do you recommend?

I've owned three Audis and am now looking to replace my A3 Sportback Sport with something that will still give me some driving enjoyment, but with a much quieter ride. Can I stick with Audi (I'm considering...

How can I block the reflection from my dashboard in the windscreen?

My Peugeot 207 SW suffers from terrible reflections on the inside of the windscreen from the dashboard. I have fitted some dark fabric on my dashboard to try to alleviate the problem. Do you know of a...

I want to buy a Toyota Avensis Tourer - is this a good choice?

I wish to purchase a Toyota Avensis Tourer. I would like to go for the brand new model with the multivalve 1.8-litre petrol engine. Do you consider this a good choice? Are there any known problems with...