Does the petrol-engined Dacia Sandero have a chain-cam engine?

I am trying to get information about chain cam engines in relation to the petrol-engined versions of the Dacia Sandero. In today's Telegraph you mention chain cam in relation to the Duster, but how does...

Is the Ford Powershift automatic transmission likely to cause any problems?

Because of trouble with my left hip and knee I have been finding using the clutch pedal painful and have been looking at small cars with automatic transmissions. I have been offered £8500 trade in on a...

Would you recommend the Volvo V50 or Saab 9-3 Estate for a young family?

My daughter and her husband are about to have their first child and need a larger car. They have a limited budget of £5000. I am a believer in quality cars and have suggested either a high mileage diesel...

I specified cruise control on my new Vauxhall Zafira but didn't get it - what should I do?

I purchased a Zafira on April 15 2013. The dealer specification described the vehicle has having cruise control, however when I returned home I discovered no cruise control on the car. I went back to the...

Why is there a long delivery estimate for new Hyundai Santa Fes?

I am interested in purchasing the new generation Hyundai Sante Fe. However, I have been informed that there is a six to seven month wait. As this car was released for purchase in October of last year and...

Will a Honda CR-V offer good ride quality on 18-inch wheels?

I am interested in a 2010 Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC petrol automatic, which is fitted with 18-inch alloys. Noting your earlier comments on ride quality with larger wheels, do you have any views on this model?

Why has this rental company removed all means of repairing a puncture from their rental Volkswagen Up?

Last week we hired a Volkswagen 'Up' from Alamo at Edinburgh station. It's a very nice, albeit 'buzzy', three cylinder Bluemotion car. Our first problem was that we couldn't get the car to turn over on...

What's causing a misfire on our Ford C-Max?

I have a Ford C-Max 2.0 diesel (80,000 miles, around 53/54mpg), which has always been main dealer serviced by the book. It suits us well and goes very well except that, for over a year, it has suffered...

Where can I get a spare wheel for my KIA Venga?

I recently bought a KIA Venga 1.6 petrol auto with 16-inch alloy wheels. The car didn’t come with a spare wheel, neither full-size nor Space Saver, just an inflation kit. However, there is an underfloor...

Which all-round tyres do you recommend for my KIA Sportage?

I bought a 2-year-old KIA Sportage last September as a tow car for our caravan. It does this job admirably, but proved less than good in snow (in the Alps) or mud over the winter, and the tyre wear rate...

Mystery oil leak after a collision?

I was in a shunt with the car in front, max 15 mph. My vehicle was driveable. 50 miles later there was smoke from oil burning on exhaust manifold, with oil sprayed all over the engine. Oil was 1/2 way...

Persistent ECU fault on my Corsa

I have a Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 Diesel 09 reg. I bought it from Evans Halshaw and it came with a three month warranty which has now expired. The problem I have been having is a persistent ECU fault. I took...

Claim for damage due to pothole denied - is it worth taking it further?

I have an Audi TT and just after Christmas (2012) I hit a pothole one evening which severely damaged a wheel and a tyre, to the point that it was dangerous to drive. The cost of the repair was £670. ...

Parking Ticket - can I fight it?

I parked my car in a private car park in Barnet, the Spires Shopping Centre in January, paid for my ticket. After taking my disabled son to the dentist, I returned to the car park and went home. When...

High turbo boost pressure fault on a CR-V?

I am touring on the continent with my 2005 CRV 2,2 CDTi (89,000 miles) towing a caravan, which I have done with this car since 2007 when I bought it. Cruising at around 50mph on the motorway the engine...

Fiesta EcoBoost - belt or chain cam?

Regarding the Ford Ecoboost 100PS engine - does it have a timing chain or belt?

Tappet-like noise from the engine of a MINI?

My partner's 7000 mile Mini makes a noise that would have been regarded as tappets once-upon-a-time. Have you heard any reports as to problems?

Haldex SWD failure

We have a 2009 SEAT Altea Freetrack with 49k miles and FSH. The FSH is not from the main dealer as that is 35 miles away, so it's done at a trusted independent. The car has had a number of the typical...

Can you turn off Polo running lights?

Our new Volkswagen Polo has noticeably bright and distracting daytime running lights. Our Volkswagen dealer garage insists they cannot be turned off. Is this correct - I didn't think they were mandatory...

Where are the fuses for a Ka?

Where are the fuses for cigarette lighter and back windscreen wiper on a Ford Ka? I know the fuse box is beside steering wheel.

Are brakes covered in the sales of goods act?

I bought an '06 ML350 from a main dealer and after 4 months/4500 miles they are saying it needs new pads and disks all the way round. Would this be covered under the sales of goods act?

Jag S Type diesel - a sensible used buy?

I am thinking about buying a used Jaguar S Type 2.7 Diesel with manaul gearbox if I can find a good one. Is this car a sensible used buy, and can you confirm whether any of the early models were in "pre-Euro...

Honda Civic S Type brake pads - replacement on a car we have just bought?

At the end of March we purchased a Honda Civic 2003 S Type car with 58850 miles on the clock, as part of the deal we had the car serviced and MOT'd at the same time. We recently noticed squeaking from...

Run flat tyre wear

Do you think run flat tyres are prone to more wear than normal tyres? I have a MINI Cooper S on a 57 plate and replaced the original front Dunlop Sport SP01 run flats at 14k. The replacement Conti Premium...

Can I change the profile of my tyres?

I intend to have all four tyres of my partner's Mk 1 Ford Focus replaced before we go on a long tour. At present they are 205/50/16 but I am finding a far better range of tyres (and prices) available in...

Need a new clutch for my 2005 Honda Civic

The clutch has collapsed on my eight-year-old car and needs replacing. Please could you tell me how much the new part would cost and how much labour is involved so I have an idea of the total cost?

Will I have DPF trouble with a CX-5?

I have ordered a Mazda CX5 2.2 Diesel this weekend, I have belatedly done some research on DPF problems - can you advise as if there is an on going issue with DPF on this engine (Dealer obviously says...

Where can I learn to drive a bus?

Where can I learn to drive a bus I live in Cambs and prepared to travel 50-60 miles for good training

Economic auto with boot space for a pram £2000-£3000 budget!

Looking for a new motor for my wife, bought her a 2003 Fiesta Semi Auto 9 months ago and the TCU and ECU have gone on it and so we've had to get rid of it. Looking to buy her a new car, my first choice...

Peugeot antipollution light problem?

I have a second hand 307 Peugeot which I bought last year June. Last week I let the fuel level run very low and due to this the "Antipollution fault" light came on; and caused the car to jerk. The warning...

I was rear ended on a roundabout

Recently I was rear ended whilst pulling onto a roundabout. I was in the queue at front, started to pull out then realised a car from the right was going much faster than first aticipated. I applied my...

Central locking problems with an old Leon

I have an X-Reg SEAT Leon. When I lock the car with the key fob it locks all of the doors OK but when I walk away the car then unlocks its self and sends the front windows down. As you are driving the...

MoT tester didn't identify a problem with my exhaust?

I recently had an MOT and a service at a garage. The garage identified a problem with the brakes and pads and new ones were fitted. I asked if there were any other issues with the car and I was told there...

Which second hand Estate?

I have between £6-7k to spend on an estate or economical 4x4. I would like a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or other high end brand, but would be open to other makes. I do around 15k miles a year. I've always had...

The Bluetooth on my car doesn't work properly

I purchased my car new a year ago and immediately found that my phone did not work properly even though I tested it in the demo model before purchasing - this being an essential feature for me. The Audi...

Rebuilt classic engine failed - who is to blame?

I had a new engine built for my beloved classic Golf by a specialist who has been trading for 20 yrs and are known in Volkswagen circles. It was shipped and fitted by my excellent independent VW specialists....

I have the receipts but no service book?

I bought a car that was advertised as having FHSH (full Honda service history). When I picked up the car, I was passed all the paperwork, but there was no service book. All the receipts are there for the...

Leasing a BMW 1 series - petrol or diesel?

I've been looking at leasing a 1 Series after finding that my employer offers some good deals for this particular car, but I'm unsure over whether to get a petrol or diesel. My dad has always said if...

buying a small car with £2000?

I am selling my Renault Scenic Megane 2.0 as fuel consumption is so high. I will be looking for a used car, either a hatchback or estate, of around 10 years. I can pay approximately £2000. I want it...

My Mazda3 has erratic diesel consumption?

My 2010 Mazda 3, 2.2 diesel 185 bhp Sport can return 60 mpg on an extra-urban round trip of say 10 miles or so but should i make a few stops on the way, the fuel consumption goes up like there's a tap...

Replacement run flat tyres?

I currently have Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 245/40R19 on the front and Dunlop 275/35R19 on the rear of my BMW 530D M Sport. I am looking to replace them and have been quoted a huge amount by the BMW main...

Which Scirocco to buy?

I am looking at a Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDi BlueMotion Tech 3dr DSG at the moment, and someone has pointed out the problems with the DSG automatic (reliability and mpg). The regular Scirocco itself...

Low annual mileage

I am thinking of buying a new sports convertible to use as a third car. I would expect to keep it for at least 10 years but the average annual mileage is likely to be under 2000. My shortlist includes...

I put petrol in my diesel car?

I've put eight litres of petrol in my 2.0 diesel Peugeot 307. The car is 51 plate. The tank was in the red, I wasn't paying attention. When I noticed I then topped it up with 46 litres of diesel. The...

Buying a luxury car for less than £7000

I've been rooting around trying to find a 'luxury' but affordable car. I thought I'd ask a pro as I am struggling with the scattered information on the internet! I have also considered cars like the...

Faulty DMF - should I replace or wait till it goes?

I've been getting a kind of honking sound when I change down gears (usually from 3rd to 2nd). My local garage says it sounds like a dual mass flywheel problem, which costs over £1,000 to replace. I drive...

Mondeo rattles when starting from cold

When starting my 2010 Ford Mondeo from cold I can hear a light rattle/tinkle when under acceleration between 1250 - 2000rpm. There is no noise when warm and no noise when cold and not under load. There's...

Knocking suspension over bumps?

When passing over bumps in the road there is a knocking noise on the rear underside of my SEAT Leon. It's not the exhaust, this has been checked. Sounds like suspension.

Which Yeti should I buy?

I am very keen to change my Toyota RAV4 TGi automatic for a Skoda Yeti Laurin & Klement 170PS, should I get an automatic or a manual, and should I choose diesel or petrol? I live on Dartmoor, so tiny...

What car with high seats and a petrol engine?

I have a Hyundai ix35 1.7D Premium and am considering changing to a petrol car. What is available that has a fairly high seats for easy entry (for my dodgy old knees!), good reliability and comfort?