Replacing a coil spring with non OEM part?

My Golf mkV GT with 80k miles has a broken coil spring. My garage (not a franchise dealer) advises to fit genuine Volkswagen parts but there are none in the country and it will be about 10 days. Does this...

Replacing an old Golf GTI?

I've had an R reg Golf GTI 16V for the last 8 years and have loved it but think its time to replace it with something a bit newer. Am looking to get something 3-4 years old probably, and have been looking...

Audi A3 DSG making odd noises

I had two intermittent banging noises like metal plates for 5 secs, with a loss of power when pulled away after a full steering lock u-turn from a cold start. Wondering what could be causing the noise?...

View on Fiesta Powershift gearbox?

I am considering buying a Fiesta Powershift. What is your view on the gearbox?

No spare wheel on a Juke?

I had a puncture in my Nissan Juke. The owners handbook states the spare wheel is under the floor in the boot. No spare wheel is there, only a compressor and a bottle of sealant - which did not work. If...

Car bought from trader with worn brake pads

I have purchased my MX5 from a trader, after travelling home (125 miles) I had the car checked out by a garage. The o/s/f brake pad was down to the metal and its caliper was faulty and stuck, so had these...

Will my failed turbocharger cause an MoT failure?

The turbo on my diesel Focus 1.6 TDCi (2006) has failed - will this mean automatic failure of the MOT?

I don't want my car written off?

Someone recently reversed into my parked car, denting two of the doors. I reported it to my insurance company and they sent out an assessor last week. I received a call yesterday from the incident management...

How to solve a problem with me E-Class gearbox?

I purchased a Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI automaticin January and on a recent visit to a garage it exhibited the following faults: P220A The speed comparison of Y3/6n2 or Y3/6n3 is implausible P2502 The gear...

How to improve seat comfort in my Audi A1 Sportback>

I have an Audi A3 Sportback Sport 1.4 TSI (2012). The model comes with sports suspension and sports seats. I added the lumbar support option hoping to have a firm but comfortable ride. However, I have...

Mazda6 estate injector seals - DIY job?

I have a 2007 Mazda6 Estate 2.0 diesel. I have a leak around the fuel injection seals - is it possible to replace these seals or does it require special equipment to press them in?

Honda Jazz has an uncomfortable seat?

I bought a new Honda Jazz at the end of March and find the driver's seat is very uncomfortable - lower back & leg pains and quite different to the seat in the test car I tried out. I've tried various...

Buying a used X5?

I'm considering a BMW X5 used but I am unsure which model is cheapest to run (re road tax + fuel). My main use is around town with occasional twice a year 200 mile journeys. My budget is from £5000 to...

Could this 'surging' be from a sticky EGR valve?

I bought a Nissan Qashqai five weeks ago from a main dealer and have felt the car surging from time to time. I am told by a friend that it is probably a sticking EGR valve. The car is ex Motorbility and...

Is colour really linked to depreciation?

Thinking about the new Golf GTI and the imminent S3. In the light of the CAP report that white cars have recently realised up to 6% more than average at resale after 3 years, does your experience reflect...

Sheet steel thickness in modern cars?

I have seen various comments by posters on this site suggesting that modern Ford cars sound "tinny" and a colleague also made the same comment, quite independently, about his fairly recent Fiesta model....

Buying an EV - which one?

What is the best used all electric car for me to purchase? I travel 20 miles per day.

Buying a used car with space for a dog?

We want to replace our existing Seat Ibiza - which has been a very uncomfortable car to drive - with a five year old car, big enough to have a medium size dog in the back.

Giulietta or Civic?

I need a new car and I like the Honda Civic and Alfa Romeo Giulietta. I will be doing mainly suburban driving, occasional motorway runs and low mileage - probably 6000/9000 miles a year. Essentials are:-...

Timing belt linked to failed DMF?

A garage put my timing belt on the wrong way round away ]back in November 2012 now my DMF has gone, could this be linked?

Which car for a tall, disabled pensioner?

I thought I'd found driving heaven when I bought my Lexus in 2010, until my average mpg became clear. I can slide into it easily, it is comfortable for my being 6'2" and disabled, with its high seat and...

Should someone else pay for this injector problem?

This question is about whether to litigate for a fault, seek manufacturer goodwill, or simply seek repair, and if so where? My beloved 1.4HDI Peugeot 1007, bought by myself pre-reg and at virtually half...

Does this sound like a scam?

I followed up a Gumtree ad for a Ford S-Max (2010 reg) with low mileage in Watford which sounded like a good deal. I heard nothing initially but then received an answer explaining that the car was no longer...

How can we solve this insurance problem?

Some 6 months ago my daughter was stationary in the outer lane of an urban dual carriage way waiting for the car in front to turn right. A commercial vehicle in the inner lane side swept her causing extensive...

Mileage is higher than salesman indicated

Our dealer sourced us a 2012 Hyundai ix 35. We agreed a £300 deposit when we make appointment to test drive we are told the mileage is 13k, not 7k as he told us when he phoned to say he had sourced it....

Will a new XC60 D5 have a DMF and DPF?

I have run a 2010 D3 Volvo XC60 auto for 30 months now on mainly short journeys with no DPF problems. I am thinking of changing to a new D5 manual. Is there any difference in likelihood of future DPF problems...

My tyres are losing pressure - why?

My daughter has a Mazda Bongo fitted with steel wheels, on which are Wanli 195-70-R15C tyres. For about a month, one front tyre has been deflating. It takes about four days to lose half pressure. This...

Has towning my Galaxy caused damage?

My automatic Ford Galaxy was towed off the ground. I was told it was the alternator. Not so - the car starts but gears are not engaging properly. Is it as a result of towing?

Donnington Park - what direction do cars race?

Do cars race round Donnington clockwise or anti-clockwise ?

Stop/start sometimes does't work on my Focus Ecoboost?

I have a Focus Ecoboost and the start/stop system sometimes fails to work. It can be instantly made to work again by switching the ignition and back on. Any thoughts?

Congestion charge - are the rules changing?

I have read that the rules for congestion charging in London have been changed to be based on emissions which preclude diesel cars entering the zone, is this correct?

What SUV for use in the States?

My son is about to spend a year working in Ohio, USA and will be driving between 300 and 400 miles each week. Because of the harsh winter conditions he feels he will need a reliable 4 wheel drive SUV....

Repairing old fuel tanks

I read the question in your Telegraph column (from ND in Lincolnshire) about a Mitsubishi Sigma fuel tank that's leaking. You advised finding a plastic tank or a racing fuel tank - we actually refurbish...

Should I buy a used Laguna?

Considering a change of car and think that a used Laguna estate could offer good value especially in top Initiale trim. I know the previous model Laguna had a terrible reputation for poor reliability but...

What kind of engine is in my Escort?

I have a 2000 Ford Escort Finesse Estate 1.6 - is this engine a CVH or Zetec?

Best little cars?

Next month I'm moving back to England after living in Germany. I am looking for a petrol car with an engine of 1.6 litres or less for less than £3000. I know you recommend the Yaris but I don't like them...

Gearbox failure on a Clio

I have a 3 year 3 month old Clio sport with 38k on the clock. The gearbox struggles to go into 4th gear and the garage inform me that I need a new gearbox as the synchro is broken. I expected the gearbox...

Tappety Astra

The tappets are noisy on my 1.8 Vauxhall Astra. It was overfilled with oil by the old owner so I drained it and put in new then added hydrolic flush but there was no change?

Can I fix this Z3 leaking oil myself?

There is a large bolt in the timing chain cover on the offside side of the engine that appears to be leaking oil. Can I just remove this bolt and replace the seal washer or is there a lot more behind it...

Fun, cheap to run, practical car for £8k?

I am currently looking for something cheap to run that fits in the fun good-looking category. I drive around 10,000 miles a year, so for the outlay and lack of DPF problems I'd rather stick with petrol....

Buying a small auto for temporary use?

My wife broke her leg 5 months ago and can no longer drive a manual car. I have a new Landrover on order but the leadtime is 5 months. I would like to buy a small automatic for <£4K which I can sell again...

My mother need a a new car - but what?

My mother has an 07-Reg Citroen C2 with 37k on the clock. She's 61-years-old and drives a hard bargain. She's got roughly £4/5k to spend does approximately 60 miles round trip 3-5 days a week. She doesn't...

Best cars for depreciation after three years?

As a pensioner I like to buy new cars from income (personal contract plan) changing every 3 years, which is not the cheapest form of motoring but does not deplete my capital and gives security and peace...

Problematic Audi - where do I stand?

I bought an Audi A4 Avant S-line from the Audi Dealership in Worthing in October last year. It had 12 months approved waranty. From the day I picked the car up I noticed the following faults - large chip...

Slow drivers

Four decades ago when I took my driving test it was possible to fail for "failing to adjust vehicle's speed to road conditions", in other words going too slowly. Recently I have noticed a growing number...

Clutch replacement, should I replace the DMF at the same time?

I own a 2007 Citroen Xsara Picasso VTX 1.6 HDi and the clutch has started to slip with acceleration, but it's still OK for gentle cruising. I plan to take it to Mr Clutch for: New Clutch @ £350, and New...

Misleading advertisement

I recently bought a car from a franchised dealer. The car was advertised as 2 owners (I have a copy of the Auto Trader advert), which influenced my decision to buy and which I believe affects the value....

Buying an estate car?

I am looking at getting an A6 Avant. If I go for an old shape 2011 plate with 15,000 miles on the clock I am looking at roughly £20k. If I look at the new shape with similar miles on the clock I am looking...

Buying a compact MPV?

We are looking for a new car to fit two adults and two babies (newborn and two years old). Would like a decent boot (around 400 litres) and we mostly drive short runs (to and from work / kindergarden)...

Elderly couple seek small car

My wife and I have moved to a retirement home and the time has come to exchange our Volvo V70 for a smaller car. We don't cover many miles and it must be easy to get in and out of. An automatic petrol...