Buying a new sports car- what do you recommend for £22,000?

I am looking to buy a sports car to use at weekends. I have up to £22,000 to spend, but don’t want a car that will cost me an arm and a leg to maintain. At present, I’m thinking Morgan or Porsche. What...

What's causing my SEAT Altea judder at low speeds?

I own a 2009 Seat Altea 1.9 diesel, with a DSG gearbox. Recently the car has started to judder at low speeds. Can you tell me what’s causing this and how I can fix it?

What's the best sports car for £5000?

I am approaching 60 and am considering semi-retirement. I want to purchase a convertible sports car for weekends and touring into Europe – I have £5000 to spend. I have my eye on a 1975 Triumph Stag with...

What's causing my Volkswagen Sharan to vibrate on idle?

My 2005 Volkswagen Sharan sometimes vibrates on idle. What’s causing it?

Can I fit winter tyres to my Porsche 911?

I own a 2003 Porsche 911 C2, with 18 inch wheels. I want to run the car in the winter and fit winter rims and tyres. Can I reduce the diameter and width of the rim for winter tyres?

Where can I source spares for my SEAT Leon?

I own a 2003 Seat Leon 1.4 petrol and the engine is beginning to sound like a knackered cement mixer. I think that I've tracked the problem to the EVAP purge valve - part number PA66-6F30, 2580033B, 1J0906517F...

How can we stop a trader from using our road as a car park?

We are a small garage operating at the end of a small cul-de-sac along with one other garage next to us. We have a problem with a trader who sells cars from their MoT garage with 6 cars on their forecourt...

Discovered my car has a hidden accident history - what should I do?

A few weeks ago I bought a nearly new Volkswagen Golf from a private owner. I carried out a full check on the car before the purchase and everything came back fine. However, within a few days of ownership,...

Used SUV automatic - Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento?

I need to buy a used SUV to tow my caravan. I only cover 6000 miles a year, on short journeys, but would prefer an automatic. I like the Honda CR-V (2010) due to reliability, but read mixed reports on...

Downsizing the family car - what should I buy?

I am downsizing my 2007 Ford S-Max and am thinking of replacing it with a Focus or Hyundai i30. My budget is around £9500, which car would be best for comfort and reliability? Or is it worth stretching...

Buying a new car - Focus, 1 Series or A3?

I am in the processing of buying a car for the first time under the Motability Scheme. I am looking for a small hatchback, but it must be an automatic. So far I feel I have narrowed down my list to the...

What's wrong with my Citroen C5?

My 2007 Citroen C5 estate sits very low to ground, but opening the door makes it goes back to normal height and it drives fine. Do you think something serious is wrong with the car?

Buying a Mercedes-Benz SLK - which model is best?

I am considering buying a Mercedes-Benz CLK of some description (hard top or convertible) and will be trading in a Peugeot RCZ, expecting to spend about £20,000. Which model would you recommend?

What's caused the dashboard lights to go out on my Ford Mondeo?

The lights on my Ford Mondeo’s dashboard have gone out. The car's stereo system has also gone very quiet. I have checked the fuses and they are ok, I have also changed the speakers and stereo, but no joy....

Buying a used estate - what's best?

I need to replace my old Volkswagen Passat diesel estate with something comfortable and reliable. I do less than average mileage and am happy with either a petrol or diesel. Ideally, I want something used...

Faulty Hyundai i30 gearbox - who should pay for repairs?

My daughter’s 2009 Hyundai i30 developed a gearbox noise, which she reported at the main dealer 12 months ago. At the time the mechanic told her it was nothing and to ignore it. I drove the car today and...

Need a new family car that can take three child seats in the back - what do you suggest?

I need a car which will take three child seats in the back. It must have a minimum kerb weight of 1400kg and engine power of at least 140ps. I’m happy with either a petrol or diesel and can spend up to...

When should I get my first BMW X3 service?

We have just ordered a new BMW X3 2.0 auto. I understand that it has a flexible servicing schedule, but I was wondering if it would be advantageous to have its oil changed after around 1500 miles to clear...

Volkswagen Transporter – which engine is best?

I’m in the process of replacing my Ford Transit and really like the Volkswagen Transporter. Can you tell me which engine is best?

Which tyres will give the best ride in a Jaguar XJ?

I am about to replace my 2009 Jaguar XJ's 20-inch factory fitted alloys with 18-inch wheels for a better ride. Which tyres would you recommend? Annual mileage is less than 5000 a year on local roads.

Where are the fuses on my Nissan Qashqai?

My hazard lights aren't working. I want to check the fuse before calling the garage, but it's not clear from the manual which fuse it is though - can you help?

Replacement for a problematic Vauxhall Zafira?

I am looking to replace my 2007 Vauxhall Zafira. I love the space of the car, but find it to be unreliable. Any replacement needs to have space to accommodate someone over six foot, with a comfortable...

How can I fight a parking charge notice?

My son has been issued with a parking fine, despite the fact he owns a valid permit for the space. On the day in question, my son parked up and displayed his permit, but it fell to the floor and wasn’t...

How much is my Mercedes SLK worth?

Can you tell me how much my Mercedes-Benz SLK is worth?

Should the dealer pay to fix my faulty 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?

I own a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder 2.5DCi Tekna with 41,000 miles on the clock. Recently I've had an intermittent engine light come on - this has been diagnosed as P0744 Code. My local Nissan dealer has told...

Vauxhall Movano – which powertrain is best?

I’m thinking of buying a Vauxhall Movano, but can’t work out if I need front-wheel or rear-wheel drive? Also, which engine is best?

Renault Megane blow blue smoke and refusing to start - what's wrong?

Yesterday, on the motorway my Renault Megane started puffing blue smoke out of the exhaust. About a mile later the on-board computer appeared with the warning 'injector fault'. I pulled over onto the hard...

What winter tyres are best for BMW 1 Series?

I have been told by one independent tyre supplier that I can fit ordinary winter/cold weather tyres to my BMW Series. However, another has said that I need run flats. Can you tell me what I should do?

Buying a Mini Cooper - should I wait for the new model?

I was about to place an order for the current mk 2 MIni Cooper when I learned that a new mark 3 model was shortly to be released. My dealer has advised that the new model will not be available until March...

What's causing the ticking noise on my Vauxhall Zafira?

I've noticed a light ticking noise coming from the engine of my Vauxhall Zafira that increases in noise and speed with the throttle. I've also noticed that there is gradual increase in speed from low gear...

Does my old diesel need a catalytic converter to pass its MoT?

Does a 2002 diesel car need a catalytic converter to pass the MoT?

BMW 1 Series or Audi A3 Sportback?

I am looking to purchase a new BMW 1 Series or Audi A3 Sportback for my daily commute of 40 miles to London. I’d prefer an automatic, with a petrol engine. What do you suggest?

Can you recommend a cheap 4x4?

We live on top of a hill and our house is difficult to access in winter weather. I am considering the purchase of a cheap 4x4 for £2000, which would be an additional car rather than one of our main vehicles....

Where can I buy a space saver for my S-Max?

Can you recommend a space saver tyre for Ford S-max? If so, what size and where could I buy one? I plan to carry it in the boot.

Does the Nissan GT-R have an NCAP rating?

Does the Nissan GT-R have an NCAP rating or an equivalent from Japan? I'm thinking of getting one, but Internet searches have yielded a blank.

Need a car for the school run - what do you suggest?

I'd like a recommendation for a car to be used predominantly for the school run (1.3 miles each way) for three child passengers. Also, this car will be used for the weekly shop, so needs decent boot space....

Why is my van running poorly?

My 2007 Peugeot Expert van is running very sluggish. The problem is at its worse when running at a constant speed, with the van backing off then speeding up when accelerator is same pressure. I’ve had...

New family car - Ford Mondeo or SEAT Toledo?

My daughter is looking at purchasing either a Ford Mondeo or SEAT Toledo as a family car. I would value your opinion on which would be the best overall car?

Air con failure on Volkswagen Golf - who should pay for repairs?

The air conditioning on my 2011 Volkswagen Golf has failed. My local dealer has found the gas level to be low, but couldn't source the leak and will recharge the system with a dye to try to find it. They...

Is it illegal to drive with an LCD screen visible in the car?

I have two in-car cameras, but have been told that it’s illegal to drive if the LCD screen is visible. Is this correct? I’ve been told that if the camera is '50mm into wiper sweep' an endorsement will...

Replacing Lexus RX300 - what should I buy?

I’m looking to replace my Lexus RX300. I’ve had the cars for eight years and have found it to be very reliable and comfortable. I'm looking to purchase a new/nearly new car and I am looking at the Lexus...

What's causing the poor ride in my Mercedes Viano?

A terrible ride quality is spoiling life with my otherwise excellent 2006 Mercedes Viano 2.2 Ambiente. It's running on 225/60/16 tyres on standard 16-inch alloys and I’ve had a mechanic check the suspension,...

Audi diesel fuel contamination - what should I do?

My Audi A3 1.6 TDI has been off the road for two weeks, pending an investigation into a breakdown where injector failure was cited as the reason. The dealer has drained the tank and says visual inspection...

Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio or Eos - which is the most reliable?

I am an elderly driver looking for a new car and am considering either a Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio or Eos. I have £11,000 to spend, but not much else if things go wrong. Which would you say is the most...

Turbo failure whilst towing a caravan - who should pay for the repairs?

I purchased a used 2006 Kia Sorento 2006 a few months ago. The car cost £10,995 from a Kia dealer and had 70,000 miles on the clock. We took out a HP agreement as the dealer gave six months warranty on...

Where can I buy a bargain Audi Q3?

Can you please advise me where I could get a best price deal on a new Audi Q3?

Why do I need to disconnect the battery when using my new trickle charger?

The instructions that came with the 6/12v 740/4355 automatic battery charger I bought from Argos yesterday say “disconnect the battery from the vehicle before charging to avoid possible damage to the alternator”....

What do you think of the Porsche Boxster?

I have always been interested in a Porsche Boxster without doing anything about it. At age 77 this is possibly my last chance. At present I have a 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK with 45,000 miles and I would appreciate...

Why did a Volkswagen dealer try to charge to fix a fault on my Gold which was solved with WD40?

The passenger side door of my Volkswagen Golf Match TDI failed to unlock, and I contacted a VW main agent who informed me that there would be an initial charge for the diagnostic check costing £60, followed...

Could you recommend an economical car with plenty of space that's fun to drive?

I am a student nurse in need of a good, reliable and reasonably economical car. However I am quite the car snob - having grown up around big brothers who like their cars, I have somewhat acquired the same...