Why was my whiplash payout so large?

Some time ago I had an accident when I was hit by a car while I was going round a roundabout. The other driver admitted liability because she was on her mobile phone and had not seen me. I was advised...

Why are whiplash claims paid out to drivers of cars with head restraints?

Insurance claims for whiplash injuries have been in the news yet again. Maybe I am naive, but I thought the reason why all cars are now fitted with head restraints was to prevent such accidents. We were...

Why are 16-inch wheels on my Skoda Superb so much better than the standard 18-inch?

I have a 2010 Skoda Superb TDi 170 Elegance. Its standard wheels are 18-inch shod with 225/40 R18 tyres. With the advent of winter I bought a set of alloy wheels fitted with winter tyres. These wheels...

Why hasn't Audi installed 7-digit satnav systems into their cars?

Having read numerous tales of woe regarding the performance of the Audi satnav system, I wondered if you have any further information. I'm not looking to purchase a BMW, as I prefer the Audi A4. So if...

Which new SUV still has a full size spare wheel?

After 175,000 miles of mountain roads we need to replace our 1996 3-door, 2-litre petrol manual 4x4 RAV4 due to wear and tear and increasing maintenance costs. Other wish list items include sunroofs to...

How much road tax should I be paying on my Subaru Forester?

I have a 2006 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT AWD automatic petrol car and am getting conflicting costs for road tax. Could you possibly confirm the correct amount I should be paying for my road tax? The reading...

Why won't Kwik Fit repair runflat tyres?

I'm sure you are already aware of this situation but just in case you haven't seen it in writing, Kwik-Fit has written to me to state: “Kwik-Fit is unable to repair run flat tyres as we cannot guarantee...

Why are the brake discs wearing so fast on our Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

My wife's 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class brakes have started to 'judder' and, after its latest major service by the main dealers, the discs were found to be 'warped and corroded' but with still plenty of pad...

Should I sell my 2007 Saab 9-3 Sportwagon now or keep it and let it depreciate?

I have a 2007 Saab 9-3 1.8 petrol Sportwagon. It has done 40,000 miles, is immaculate and has provided three years of trouble-free motoring. I average 45mpg on long journeys and it is comfortable and spacious...

Do modern safety measures counteract an increase in wheelspin?

I refer to your reply regarding cruise control during heavy rain. My question is, wouldn't the safety measures in a modern car counteract any increase in sudden wheelspin by cutting power to the wheels...

Why am I being issued with a parking ticket for "taking a break"?

After working a 12 hour shift at work I came home to a letter stating on 28 December 2012 I had entered Keele Services at 10.55pm and did not vacate until 29 December at 1.28am. Private Eye state that...

What do you think of the Ford S-Max?

Its time for me to invest. Despite its breakdown in France last year, I'm going to keep my Skoda Superb as the family car and I want to get something similar for work and with extra seats for occasional...

Can we buy a left-hand drive car in the UK and export it to Spain?

We are buying a small property near Torrevieja, Spain and think we would like to have a small car to use during visits - about three times a year. We have heard that secondhand cars in Spain are very...

Should I buy this used Honda CR-V?

I reluctantly have to part with my very comfortable 31,000 2006 Volvo S80 SE D5 185 due to worsening back problems. A local garage has a September 2012 ex-demo Honda CR-V 2.2i-DTEC EX 5-door diesel (old...

Which SUV for a school run?

I'm looking for a second-hand SUV for my wife to do the school run in. I don't want to spend a fortune but want something comfortable that is not thirsty. What do you think about a 2005 Volvo XC 90 2.5T...

Why has my insurance company reduced my protected no-claims discount?

Recently my car's insurance was due and I was horrified at the hike in premium. I decided to change to another company who asked for evidence of the seven years' no-claim bonus that I declared. When I...

What's causing our 20-year-old Audi 80 to lose power?

We are the proud owners of a 20-year-old Audi 80 TDI (bought from new), now with 174,000 on the clock. Over the past year it's lost much of it's pulling power. It struggles with even the slightest inclines...

Which fuel additives can I use in my Audi TDi?

When I looked up the Platinum Plus additive on Google it threw up several other additives also. All claimed to decrease fuel consumption, give smoother running and aid the DPF. Those mentioned were; Millers...

How can I claim for damage caused by a pothole?

Having suffered a burst tyre after hitting a pothole while driving on a wet road in the dark, what procedures should I follow in order to make a claim against the council concerned? I have sympathy for...

Which BMW returns over 60mpg?

What is the BMW model you have that gives you nearly 60mpg? This coming September I will have owned my Volvo C30 three years and have an option to hand the car back to Volvo at a fixed price (£10,800 as...

Will you promote our Route 60+ events for older drivers?

I work as a Road Safety officer for Somerset County Council and the team here are all ex-Fire Service and Police Class 1 response drivers/motorcyclists, as well as being qualified RoSPA tutors and assessors....

Can I recommend the IAM driving course for older drivers?

Thanks for your numerous and excellent articles particularly re. safer driving. May I recommend the Institute of Advanced Motorists? At the age of 80 I decided that as my last test was in 1947 a little...

Is the Dacia 4x4 good for towing?

My husband is considering buying a Dacia 4x4 to replace our three-year-old Renault Megane Estate. It will be used locally, to tow our two-berth caravan occasionally and a small cattle trailer rarely, doing...

Can I contest a parking charge made against me in a hospital car park?

On 26th November 2012 I had an appointment at Ormskirk and District Hospital. I’m a reasonably active 70 year old but I sometimes need a bit of physiotherapy to keep me moving. When I tried to park I,...

Why does our new "one previous owner" car now have two previous owners?

In October 2012 I purchased a Ford Fiesta, 2010 plate, 8000 miles from a main dealer. We were told it had one previous owner. After a delay due to the wrong paperwork at the dealers I have now received...

Why is the part exchange value of our Mini Countryman so low?

I would be grateful if I could seek your advice with regards to an issue that has arisen with our local BMW/Mini dealership. I currently drive a Mini Cooper Countryman N16 1.6 petrol which I bought new...

Why do the police fabricate offences against drivers?

I had the money and inclination to take on the boys in blue when they completely fabricated a "speeding" offence against me. They even produced a "witness" to my speeding offence. The witness, and I kid...

Escalating repair costs at the garage

My car went into a Ford dealership to diagnose a problem with the power not being delivered when the accelerator was pressed. They asked to charge me £150 diagnostic fee. I accepted. They said it would...

Are cars cheaper in the north?

My daughter lives in Croydon and is looking to purchase a used car Focus/Golf type, petrol and budget £7000 max. I live in Derby and wonder if it would be advantageous to source one from this area.

Recent C3 has a gearbox issue

My brand new (2 months old) C3 seems to have an intermittent problem in the gearbox. It sticks in neutral, most often between 2nd and 3rd, and the lever will not move more than an inch or so side to side,...

How do I price my unusual BMW 325i?

I am considering selling my slightly unusual BMW 325i (3.0L) SE Coupe. It was built in May 2007 as a BMW show car with the Sept 2007 Efficient Dynamics spec (N53 engine, etc), but BMW UK only registered...

Is my warranty supposed to cover this?

I bought my Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 08 reg in Nov 2010. I bought Trade Sales 2+2 warranty which expires 24.3.13 My car has been into a Citroen main dealer which has diagnosed a total failure of the gear...

Considering buying an X6

I'm considering buying a new BMW X6 40d, the dealership are offering a fantastic deal. Currently drive a 2012 BMW 535d, awesome car but miss the elevated drive. I've come to know a new shape X6 is rendering...

Buying an SUV (petrol v diesel?) – what would you recommend?

I have up to £30,000 to spend but have a dilemma - my annual mileage is very low (about 4,000) and includes a lot of very short journeys. I am torn between a used 3 litre diesel X5, which my wife prefers...

Tyres changed for none-runflats on a BMW

I have just purchase a used BMW 318i SE from a non BMW Franchised Dealer. When I test drove the car is had Bridgestone Potenza Run-Flat tyres all round. Before agreeing to purchase the car I confirmed...

Replacing a C-Class

I have a nearly five-year-old Mercedes C220 CDI, which is great but I not so good in the winter (RWD). I have been looking for similar spec (FWD) car but a bit cheaper to run as possible replacement....

Clutch replacement at 30,000 miles

I own a Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 Diesel 08 reg. At 29,277 it needed the clutch replaced. Is this common to the age / miles?

Where can I get a Mazda MX-5 handbook?

I am having great difficulty in trying to track down an owners handbook as when I bought the car the original handbook was only in German. I was given a part number but even that does not work for me....

Peugeot 206 bought privately is unroadworthy

I purchased a Peugeot 206 two days ago and have just found out today that its actually unroadworthy. I have spoken with citizens advice and they have told me I'm entitled to a full refund or for the seller...

What replacement Kia Sportage tyres?

I wish to replace the 235 60 R16 100H tyres on my Kia Sportage. My driving is mainly on road but with some occasional off road in forests (I am a conservation volunteer) so would appreciate some grip when...

Problem with 'trade sale' - Car not starting four days after sale.

I bought a Renault Clio (2002) DCi diesel with 59,000 miles on the clock from an independent dealer for £1,500 - at the higher end of valuations, in line with the low mileage. The dealer said it was a...

Which six-cylinder car?

Have test driven a BMW 5 Series and an Audi A6 and like the last one best but it's a bit expensive. Any other ones we should try? Are BMW X models good for driving long distance?

Buying an Insignia - good price?

Looking at Insignia, 1.8SE, petrol, 40k miles, 11 plate, £8,000 is this a good price?

Cam belt change interval on a 1007

My Peugeot 1007 handbook is not helpful about the cam-belt change interval and I'm getting conflicting answers from dealers. The car is a 2007 1.4 petrol sport manual 1007 and has done 30,000 miles with...

Buying a 4WD estate

I shall shortly be giving up my company car (a 2012 Mercedes E250 CDI Estate) and am looking to buying a similar sized estate car some 12 - 18 months old. Budget maximum £35,000 - 40,000. Replacement vehicle...

Legal obligations of a hire company?

I am a self-employed courier and since July last year I have hired a Nissan NV200 SE on a long-term rental agreement from a small, independent hire company. I was preparing to replace a couple of worn...

Burning smell in my Avensis

My 2010 Toyota avensis D-Cat Auto has developed a periodic burning smell in the cabin. Turning down the the temperature and having the fan on full clears it. The dealer has had the car but the problem...

Finding a replacement key for a Ford Ka

My wife has a Ford Ka (56) and needs a spare key (remote) and has been quoted about £194 by Ford main dealer. There has only ever been one key and she inherited the car from her mother. Are there companies...

Are Tiguans with DSG gearboxes reliable?

Is the auto DSG on a Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?

Is an SUV with DSG/Powershift automated manual ok for towing

Looking to buy a SUV/Crossover to tow a caravan up to about 1500kg. The wife would like an auto but for fuel economy I am looking at DSG/Powershift gearboxes. Are there any problems with these when...