Ford Kuga has an engine warning light after 870 miles

My Ford Kuga is 3 weeks old and has 874 miles on. it now has an Engine Malfunction light and the car will not exceed 40 miles an hour. It has been back with the dealer for eight days and they do not know...

Which tyres for my my Volvo?

Bought a car from local Volvo dealer with 215/50/17 tyres - Goodyear on front & Nexen on rear. I'm looking to replace them (at least fronts) in the next month or so. Usual pattern of use is short distance...

Rear number plate lights failed

The rear number plate on my Fiat 500 is not lighting But the bulbs are OK.

Looking to buy a Ford Fusion - any good?

I'm looking to buy an 09 Ford Fusion for £4999. Are they good cars and is this a fair price? Mileage circa 18k.

Do I avoid this Q7?

I am looking to buy a particular Q7 so I did a check on the reg with the DVLA after I had tried to check on AutoTrader and they said they didn't recognise the reg. I then went to the AA site to organise...

What are your thoughts on rear wipers?

What is your opinion on the lack of a rear screen wiper on some modern cars? I am thinking of mainly upper range models, but even the Honda Civic lacks one. I consider that they are nearly as essential...

Where can I get a spare tyre for an Abarth 500C?

Where can I get a spare tyre for an Abarth 500C?

Warranty dispute

I wanted to ask your advise in relation to a recent warranty claim that has been rejected by VGS warranties against a faulty clutch and flywheel on my BMW 1 series. I have the full 5 star warranty, the...

Ford Grand C-Max - Diesel or Ecoboost ??

I'm considering buying the Ford Grand C-Max (Titanium) but I'm torn between engine choices. My wife uses the car mainly for short runs (3 miles in busy stop/start traffic) but at the weekend we use it...

Is tyre sealant any good?

Many thanks for your great advice 8 years ago when I bought a BMW 330d Msport touring, which was to change to 17-inch alloys, remove the swirl flaps, change engine oil every 10K and change the autobox...

What premium hatchback?

I have a budget of around £8000 and am looking for a premium hatchback. I am a young professional (21) so am looking for something reasonably grown up. My criteria is nothing higher than a 1.6 engine and...

Replacing a TT with a family car

I've been driving an Audi TT (180bhp FWD) for the last 7 years, but now our child is 2 it's time to think about something bigger, with space for friends/ relations. I really like the quick response,...

Should our car have all-weather tyres?

We purchased a new shape Honda CR-V EX back in November 2012. We've since noticed after a couple of instances that the car has lost traction (once when we had the snow a couple of a weeks ago which resulted...

Corolla coil pack problems...

I keep having a problem with my O2 sensor in my Corolla 1.4 petrol. I have had all 4 coil packs replaced but after a few weeks the o2 sensor light comes on and the engine is misfiring and only runnig on...

General maintainance - Can Answer This?

When starting from cold my engine management light has started staying illuminated, then it goes out again after a minute or so. Any ideas what needs replacing or attention?

4x4 or MPV?

I currently have BMW X5 which I love! Problem is it's not very economical fuel wise. I don't want an estate as I prefer to be up a little higher when driving but I need leg room for 6 foot 2 son, along...

Can I get the balance of warranty on this car?

I recently bought a Hyundai i30 from Motorpoint (registered March 2011) and was assured that I would enjoy the balance of manufacturer's warranty. However, on checking the service history, I note that...

Aircon fan has a mind of its own on my 3 Series

The fan goes on and off for no apparent reason on my BMW 3 Series. The final stage resistor has been changed and when working the fan goes at different speeds.

Which Kuga engine?

I am considering buying the new Ford Kuga. What is your opinion of the 1.6 Ecoboost petrol engine as opposed to the 2.0-litre diesel?

I need a reliable family car up to five years old.

I am about to buy my first car (22 years after passing my test) and need a family car which is both reliable and economical. Not particularly bothered about looks/gadgets/status symbols. Need a bit of...

My Vivaro has a heater problem.

I have a Vauxhall Vivaro, 2007 reg. I have a bad humming noise coming from the passenger side footwell area, a nightmare squeal and it gets louder if you rev up. I can feel where it's coming from - there...

What fuel economy to expect from a Panda TwinAir?

Can anyone advise me on the real mpg which is achievable in the Twin Air petrol version of the new Panda 4x4. Official figures suggest 57 (average) but is this anywhere near realistic?

Which 4x4 for towing?

I have had a Subaru Forester Turbo for the last 12 years - fantastic car. I tow a twin axle trailer and we live on a steep hill down a narrow lane. It's rarely gritted in winter and I often find the road...

Our diesel Ford Focus suffered a big DPF fault with other damage - is the trader who sold us the car liable?

I am writing you regarding my Ford Focus 1.6TDCI. I purchased it in April 2012 with 38,000 miles on the clock. In October the engine malfunction light came on. I took it into the Ford garage we purchased...

Why do you suggest Driver Awareness Courses even for incidents where the driver is not at fault?

I was a bit puzzled by your response to GJ of Norwich. Driver Awareness Courses are offered as an alternative to prosecution and the likelihood of penalty points. I have no doubt that attendance of such...

Which tyres for my 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK?

I am about to change the tyres on my 2009 Mercedes-Benz 200 Avantgarde CLK (21,000 miles). The vehicle is still under a Mercedes warranty. The current front and rear tyres sizes are as per manufacturer's...

Where can I get the wheel bolt key for our Hyundai i10?

We cannot find the box containing the special nut to remove the alloy wheels on our Hyundai i10. The main dealer says that the wheel can only be removed by “brute force and ignorance, which may cause some...

Does using an air conditioner affect fuel consumption?

I have always understood that running the air conditioner causes an increase in fuel consumption. Last week, in very cold weather, I was taken for a demonstration drive in a new Toyota Avensis. The dealer...

Can you recommend a specialist left-hand drive dealer?

Three years ago you advised of a reliable dealer who would buy my LHD Citroen and he was great. Now I want to go the other way. Please advise me, as I would wish to use him again.

Which fun, comfortable car to replace my Honda Jazz?

My husband and I have always enjoyed our driving and, in later years, had the mix of a one year old Honda Jazz (as our local runabout) plus a Jaguar XF for longer journeys in comfort. We both shared the...

My wife's PCN was overturned as the notice, certificate and warrant were never delivered. Does this happen often?

My wife had to pay bailiffs £875 to keep her car when they appeared to remove it for an unpaid CCTV issued parking PCN. She never received the PCN, charge certificate, order for recovery or Warrant of...

Should we get a Mobility van with a ramp or an MPV with a hoist for a wheelchair?

We have decided its time to change our Daihatsu Fourtrak and our Autosleeper motorcaravan for a smaller vehicle. We are interested in ex-Motability van derivatives as we have a mobility scooter, and for...

Can you recommend a specialist who can repair a misfuelling error?

On Saturday evening, with the distance to empty stating 40 miles on his 2002 Audi A4 1.9 TDI estate, my father misfuelled, putting approximately 25 litres of unleaded into the tank before realising. He...

Which SUV for towing a 650-kilo dinghy?

I currently drive a 2009 Skoda Roomster 1.4 turbo diesel, which is fine for towing my small dinghy. However, I am considering buying a bigger boat and will need a vehicle that can comfortably tow 650 kilos....

Can I claim from the Highways Agency for pothole damage to my car?

The lane we have to drive on every day is full of potholes and, despite several complaints to Highways, nothing has been done. We now have broken a road spring due to the condition of the road. Do Highways...

Which SUV for towing a 1410kg caravan?

After six years of comfortable and reliable motoring it is time to replace our 2003 Passat 1.9 TDI Estate. Our average mileage is 10,000 per year, of which 1000 is towing a 1410kg caravan. We do not want...

Which premium diesel fuels are the best for which types of driving?

I have been reading with interest your advice on diesels having just taken delivery of my new company car a Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI. Like all diesels, it gets really upset if all I do is drive 1.5 miles...

Should I buy the Audi A3 Sportback or the BMW 320d?

My company car list has arrived and, having looked at the options available, this is where I am. A new Audi A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI - the MPG is 70+ (claimed) and I only have to put £40p/m to it from my own...

Which company car for my colleague will handle A and B-roads, congestion and motorways?

A colleague travels from work in Lancashire to home in mid-Wales every week. She runs a company car on a three-year lease. For the first time she has decided to run a 4WD to cope better with the journey...

Why did my wife's 2010 BMW 118d catch fire?

My wife's 2010 BMW 118d Coupe automatic caught fire under the bonnet last week and completely burned out. Fortunately, she evacuated in time and called the Fire Brigade, but the car is a write off. It...

Would you recommend a Citroen C6 to replace my C5?

For reasons lost in the mists of time I have always been a Citroen freak and I actually own a nice 2CV. Our main cars have been BXs, Xantias, C5s and so on. I'm currently thinking of updating my current...

What is causing my friend's Range Rover Sport diesel to blow its turbo?

You may remember I emailed you last week about my colleague's Range Rover Sport 2.7 diesel with a blown turbo at 104,000 miles. Well the turbo has been replaced but the garage has called him to say the...

Which car for our 17-year-old, 6-feet tall son to learn to drive in?

I have a bit of a dilemma that I hope you may be able to help with. My son is 17 and just learning to drive. We want to buy a car to replace my Nissan Almera so that he can learn to drive, and after passing...

Which other manufacturers offer an accident management service like Hyundai?

I have a Hyundai that I am considering changing. I like the Hyundai facility of reporting an accident to them who will then deal with my insurers. Which other manufacturers provide this service?

Is it worth me buying paint protection with my new Audi Q3?

I am about to change my car and am planning to purchase a new Audi Q3, and the salesman is encouraging me to pay extra for paint protection, namely Autoglyn or Supaguard. What is your opinion? Is it worth...

Why do people drive through floodwater?

You will have seen recent pictures of a Porsche in water up to its roof. The Porsche was in a dip in the road (not a ford - as was widely and incorrectly reported). The dip in the road is beneath a railway...

Why don't people use their indicators correctly on roundabouts?

I believe you would be doing UK Road Users an immense service if you assisted in encouraging New Years Resolutions among drivers, namely to adopt the correct use of direction indicators at roundabouts....

Are daytime running lights a good idea or not?

I understand that all vehicles sold within the EU will soon have to be equipped with daylight running lights. Until recently I have always regarded this as totally unnecessary and possibly a safety hazard...

Which large four-door car is suitable for towing a caravan?

I am nearing the end of my second year of three owning a Mercedes-Benz E220CDI Blue Efficiency diesel automatic from new. I want a large four-door car, preferably an automatic but diesel or petrol does...

How can I remove bird muck from my Volkswagen Golf?

I have a 2010 Volkswagen Golf 1.4. On return home from a recent holiday in Cornwall I proceeded to remove bird muck from the metallic paint. I was appalled to find that it looks as though acid has been...