Which SUV for offroad use?

My V70 Volvo Estate 2WD with the 2.4-litre diesel engine has been very good for comfort, speed when required and carrying my golf gear. I now require 4WD as I attend regular point-to-point race meetings,...

Recommendation for Aviva who helped me with an insurance fraud problem.

I was driving my wife's Mercedes when I was accused of damaging another car (an old BMW parked next to ours) in the car park. I denied causing the damage and demonstrated that the heinous damage could...

My son is being wrongly prosecuted for using a mobile phone whilst driving - can he contest this?

My son has been accused of holding and using his mobile, whist driving. This, he emphatically denies, pointing out to the three constables that his van is equipped with hands-free via Bluetooth. Despite...

Who can repair an ABS fault on my Volkswagen Touran cheaply?

I have a 2007 Volkswagen Touran and it has done about 75,000 miles. Last Monday when I started my car in the morning the ESP sign came up on the dash and it is there permanently. I went to independent...

Car documents still show registered keeper as previous keeper - how can I change this?

Four years ago I bought a 2-month-old pre-registered Mazda 3 with seven miles on the clock from a main dealer. Obviously, it had never been driven much. I paid for the car and have the receipt. Still,...

Should I buy a classic Nissan Figaro or a Fiat 500?

I have a company car that my 22-year-old daughter can drive, but not after April 2013 as the insurance changes. I am looking to get a fun car (budget around £7000) for she and I to drive that is cheap...

When should I replace the cam belt on my Volvo V40?

I own a 1999 Nissan Micra that has done 122,00 miles without any problems. When my husband died this year I inherited his 2000 Volvo V40 diesel that has the same miles on the clock, though at 99,494 miles...

What should I replace my faithful Honda CR-V with?

I am having to think about getting rid of my beloved Honda CR-V. It is now 14 years old and has been the best car I have ever owned. I bought it when it was three years old with 60,000 on the clock....

Why has this company taken money after we hired cars from them in Portugal?

I've recently returned from Portugal where a colleague of mine booked a car through Argus Car Hire for six of us and one child. He requested a Mercedes-Benz people carrier but on arrival we were told they...

WIll my wife be penalised on her insurance after attending a speed awareness course?

A few weeks ago my partner was driving around the outskirts of Hull when she was flashed doing 35mph (so the ticket said) in a 30mph limit. She has opted to take a speed awareness course to save points....

Ecoboost or TSI?

I would like to buy a Volvo V40, Ford Focus or Seat Leon but wonder which model has the better engine (reliability, consumption, power)? As I want decent performance for reasonable money, I'm considering...

DPF warning light flashing

Is DPF flashing light failed for MoT?

How to advertise a car with a non standard 6 speed box?

I have a Fiat Punto 1.2 8v Active with air condition, I wish to sell the car as I no longer require a second car. It has a 6 speed box, fitted by a previous owner. I did not know this when I brought...

M25 average speed cameras

Hi! I read, I think in the Telegraph, recently that the "safety" cameras on the M25 haven't even been commissioned, let alone turned on! Is this true?

We need to buy a small hatchback. Any suggestions?

I live in rural North Somerset and need to buy a small/medium car,hatchback [for the dog] that has good ground clearance as we live down a very rutted and muddy lane.I need good acceleration for pulling...

ABS malfunction

The brakes seem to lock and grind on release when breaking at low speed. The pads and discs have recently been replaced, therefore I suspect an ABS malfunction. Braking does not seem to be otherwise impaired....

Water Leak on 2006 Audi A6

Rear footwell fills up with water. When about 3 inches of water in well it transfers to front well. I ran hosepipe on front windscreen and water leaks in and I think runs down a channel in the floor plan...

Central locking playing up

I have a persistent problem my garage can't solve. They’re very good but this ones got them stumped can you help? When I turn on the ignition the central locking locks one door; usually the front passenger...

When is a car park sign unfair?

I visited a Volkswagen dealer in Victoria Road, Ruislip. This road has many small retail parks. I parked in what I thought was the retail park in which the dealership was located. I have taken a photo...

Buying a passat sized car - what would you recommend?

Thinking of changing our 56 plate, 77,000-mile VW auto diesel SE Passat. It's been a bit problematic - VW have paid for 2 problems I had with injectors and have now replaced them all. I'm worried about...

New Polo or used Golf? The GTI question.

I currently drive a Scirocco 210 GT which I love, but the very wide doors make exit difficult in car parks. I can afford a new Polo GTI or a year old Golf GTI. The performance is similar. The Polo will...

Buying a small 5-door hatchback

My 30-year old son wants to buy a 2-3 year old 5-door Fiesta. Which petrol engine best suits this car in terms of reliability and economy please?

Warranty work

My 11 month old Ford Ranger has a broken CV joint. It was taken in to the nearest ford dealer (not the same one I bought it from). They have told me they cannot get the required parts until 20 February...

Freelander 2 starting problems

When I press the starter button the engine sometimes fails to turn over as if the battery is low. It may take 2 or 3 attempts till the engine turns over and starts normally as if the battery is okay.

Alloy Wheel Repair

A large stone has damaged one of my diamond faced alloy wheels on the diamond facing and I wanted to know if you could suggest any recommended repairers as I understand that this is a specialist job, rather...

Windows won't demist - what could be wrong?

I currently own a Vauxhall Corsa D, Design, 09 plate. Since the onset of the cold weather I have been experiencing issues with firstly condensation forming on all of the windows on the inside of the vehicle...

Passat with no heater and overheating at high rpm

I have a problem with my Passat TDI 130 PS 2001, on motoway journeys over 50mph, the temperature rises, or when holding revs over 2000rpm. I have had the water pump/cam belt replaced as thought that was...

Red engine system warning light

I have an engine system warning light come on in my 55-plate Focus TDCi (red cog like with exclamation mark in centre) any ideas please? Car has done just over 93,000 miles and was going to get belts change...

New turbo disappoints

I fitted a new turbo to my Renault Megane 1.9dCi after hours of struggling i was pleased with my work when the car started first time, it idled for 20mins as i cleaned my tools but just 1/2 mile into the...

Dealer Liability over Holed Air con Condenser - where do I stand?

I just bought a 3-year-old Renault Modus diesel QS5 with 16,800 miles for £7995, which the independent dealer claimed was in perfect condition. The fuel economy is impressive, returning twice the MPG of...

When should I sell my BMW 5 Series Touring?

My car is a BMW 525d M sport auto touring 2008/58 197 bhp 3.0 diesel; full service history, owned from new; it's been an excellent car. Question is - when to sell?.... current mileage is 106k, a few minor...

Buying a used 4x4 without DPF

I am looking to but a used diesel 4x4 for towing that does not have a DPF. The car would need to have a kerbweight of at least 1800kg for safe towing of my caravan. My budget is around £10,000, what...

Tiredness Can Kill: Take a Break

Can you advise me - I was travelling down to Leicester after Christmas from Scotland, stopped off at a service area, (Moto Donnington Park) at midnight for a wee rest, before continuing on at 5 am, the...

Importing Irish car into UK

I've moved from Ireland to the UK and now need to think about re-registering my 2008 BMW 320d E92. It looks quite straightforward apart from the fact that I need to get the speedo swapped across to mph...

Cars less liable to attract car park criminal damage

Because of persistent criminal damage to my 13 year old BMW 5 Series in Farnham car parks, I have decided not to replace it unless forced to do so by a write-off. It is still an excellent, comfortable...

Fuel Economy of post-2008 cars

You mention in the current stats that newer cars fair worse on fuel economy compared to official figures - do you have the average drop for newer models from 2008?

Brake pad wear on a Nissan Micra

Bought my car in April 2008 - new. Always serviced by main dealer. Services in March 2009 and 2010 were fine. 2011 they said brake pads needed renewing, so I gave the go ahead. Same thing in 2012! I...

Ford C-Max - Facelift Due?

We are looking at buying a new Ford C-MAX (probably through Drive the Deal due to prices) but I am concerned we'll buy just as a facelift is due. Do you know if one is on the horizon for 2013?

Buying advice - Skoda Octavia

We are having to upgrade our car from an Ibiza to something bigger to accommodate our recent new arrival to the family. Had been looking at an Octavia estate and was wondering if you could recommend which...

Buying a Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible

I am looking to buy a MB CLK Cabriolet as a retirement indulgence. I plan to spend £12,000 to £14,000 and am looking at the larger engined models. I think I will be buying an 2006 or 2007 model. Are there...

Gap Insurance

I bought a car from Harrots in Huddersfield in May 2012. The car had 7 miles on the clock when I purchased it. Unfortunately I did not take out Gap Insurance, and now would like to do so. Is there anyway...

Supermini needed...

Buying (nearly) new Yaris sized car to replace 2001 auto CDX. Nissan Note seems favourite but what is there available in other makes. Been very happy with Yaris so inclined towards Japanese and high seating...

Legal issue - Private car parking ticket

We parked in a private car park run by Premier Parking Solutions but unfortunately our tickets was either displayed upside-down or blew over when we closed the door. On return we had a ticket. I wrote...

Buying a small crossover/4x4 to replace a C30...

I'm looking to replace our 58 plate diesel C30 R Design [55k miles] with something that's a little more capable in winter conditions. We don't go off road or tow so don't need a big thirsty 4x4; the car...

Heater not working on new Jaguar XF

Took delivery of my Jaguar XF 2.2 on 7/01/2013 5mls on the clock. NO heat coming into car.Dealer took it in NO faults registered on computers or shown on PDI. Dealer is stumped. put call into Jaguar before...

Volvo S60 hot start problems

I have bought a car today, drove it 28 miles to a supermarket and went shopping. Came back out after approx 45 minutes and the car would not start. Had to call out breakdown and he managed to get it started...

Windscreen misting - what's the cause?

I bought an Octavia in Aug 2012. Ever since purchase, the windscreen has tended to mist up badly inside if there has been any change in outside temperature. It has to be wiped as it takes too long to...

Exploding airbag

My husband was driving his Peugeot 307cc at 60mph on the motorway when the passenger door airbag suddenly exploded, filling the vehicle with smoke and gases and causing him to lose control of the car....

Brand new car broken down and no fault found

Brand new car delivered in October, chosen because of unsurpassed reliability record on warranty direct and JD Power data. Driven towards the Alps, 2200 miles on the clock, for family ski holiday on...

What are the right tyres for my Freelander?

Running a Freelander 2011 model - it has Pirelli Scorpion tyres - 235-60-18 - and need to change them. The car is used every day approximately 18,000 miles per year, with 99.999% on road. What are your...