Which cheap and reliable car?

I am 25 and I have just passed my driving test in the UK, although I am not a complete novice driver. I'm looking to buy my first car in the UK and I considered Ford Focus 1998-2004 in 1.6 Zetec trim....

Car damaged while being sold on my behalf

I took my car to the local garage which they were going to sell for me. I parked it where they asked on their premises then left. The car was in perfect condition. On Monday 25 Nov I went to the garage...

Need a cheap small car with good fuel economy - what do you recommend?

I am starting a new job and will need to commute 25 miles each way. I am looking for a new car that is very fuel efficient (my current 2005 Ford Focus guzzles fuel) and I also need removable air bags so...

Why won't my car start?

My Ford Focus refuses to start. My friend checked the car over and found there was no spark from the plugs, but they worked ok in his car. Any ideas?

Do I really need to change the dual-mass flywheel?

My 2004 Renault Scenic is due to have its clutch replaced and my local mechanic has recommended I replace the dual-mass fly wheel at the same time. Is this really necessary or is he trying to get more...

Has Volkswagen fixed the DSG box?

Has Volkswagen/Skoda improved their DSG box to prevent reliability problems? I am about to order a new Yeti 1.2 with the DSG box.

Is it a bad idea to sell a convertible in winter?

I have a two-litre Renault Megane Cabriolet, which I would like to sell. I know that the advice is "buy a convertible in the winter but sell when it's warmer" - but as the Cabriolet is a glass-top rather...

Faulty radio on Skoda Citigo

We have just taken delivery of a new Skoda Citigo and there is a fault with the radio - it doesn't tune into radio stations or keep its reception when on the move. The dealer has acknowledged the fault...

What's the best car for £7k?

I suffer with knee problems and I am looking for a vehicle that is not too low or too high. The car must have five-doors and two-wheel drive with a lift up tailgate. Can you tell me what I should buy,...

How far do I need to travel to regenerate the DPF?

I have narrowed my choice of new car down to the Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI. I do mostly city driving, but a few times a month will go on longer journeys on faster roads. That said, my typical journeys are...

Need a car that can fit a hoist to lift an electric wheelchair

I am looking for a vehicle that has a boot size of 40-inches wide, 31-inches high and 28-inches to the back seat. I have £22,000 to spend, what do you recommend?

I need an all-wheel drive car for work as a GP

I am a GP and I work in the Chiltern area, around Goring and Woodco. We get snow that affects everyone getting around about 3 days a year however when it does snow we've got a large practice area to cover...

Diesel hatchback, 5dr, £8k budget, high Euro ncap, low mileage, turbo

I am looking to purchase a used five door hatchback, with with a good torquey diesel engine that will return high mpg on constant speed (motorway) driving. A high Euro NCAP rating is also very important....

Disputed liability following an accident?

I was recently involved in an accident which was not my fault. I was about to turn left from a main road into a house drive-way when I was under-taken on my nearside. There is damage to my front wing,...

Turbo failure on a Range Rover - do I have any recourse?

I have a four-year-old Range Rover Sport bought new from a dealer. I have had all the servicing done by the same dealer on schedule. The vehicle has done 68,000 miles and the turbos self destructed, causing...

How can I fit a new radio to my X-Trail?

The CD player on my 2004 Nissan X-Trail has stopped working. The radio is ok and I have managed to buy a used Nissan radio with a CD changer, but I am unsure how to fit it. Can you offer any advice?

BMW X3 - should I replace it?

I have a three year old BMW X3, with 36,000 miles on the clock. I’m thinking about changing it for a new model, what do you think?

Buying a used hatchback - what would you recommend?

I am looking to buy a used car and want to spend £5000. I want something that’s cheap to fix/run and boasts good fuel economy. What would you recommend?

Why do DSG 'boxes judder?

My wife has owned a Mk6 Volkswagen Golf DSG for nearly three years. She has loved it with one exception, the auto gearbox, which always shudders when moving off from stationary. I understand this was common...

Broken wiring loom on Ford Focus

My 2006 Ford Focus was broken into recently, with the thief slashing the wiring loom to get into the front passenger door. My local dealer has been unable to find the correct part, while Ford Customer...

Gearbox problems with Rover 75

I’m having some problems with my Rover 75. Recently it refused to change gear and now it won’t drive, with the clutch refusing to engage the gears. Any ideas?

Buying a diesel Qashqai - can I use it for short trips?

I'm debating buying a 2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 DCi. I do a few odd trips across the country and want something comfortable, but dislike estates. However, I have two concerns: 1) Turbo failures with bills...

Is Diamond bright is it any good?

Is Diamond bright any good?

Fined for not parking within the marked bays - do I have to pay?

I parked in a free car park that states you must park within the bays. The bays were full so I parked where I was not obstructing and where it was not illegal to park. I have now been fined £60, do I have...

Where can I get a Microcar manual?

I've just bought a second hand Microcar, but I want to get is a workshop manual so I can do my own servicing. However, I can’t find one anywhere and Haynes don’t make them either. Can you help?

Is there a winter tyres shortage?

I have a 2010 BMW 520D Efficient Dynamics with 18-inch rims 245 front and 275 back. However, sourcing winter tyres is a problem - even with the BMW dealer - can I go to a different rim size/tyre package...

Buying a used Crossfire - is this a good idea?

I am looking to buy a used Chrysler Crossfire. Can you tell me if there are any known mechanical issues?

Winter tyre transfer between cars

I have a set of 7J x 17 alloy wheels I bought two years ago, which I then fitted with Lassa Snoway 225/45R17 winter tyres for my Mercedes C200 W204. I changed to a Toyota GT86 in the summer which is fitted...

Should we go for the diesel or petrol Dacia Sandero Stepway?

We are thinking of purchasing a Dacia Sandero Stepway, and would like to know what is your opinion of the small petrol turbo engine versus the diesel? Our mileage is light. Would the small petrol engine...

How should I store my Rover 45SE to avoid the battery going flat?

We have a Rover 45SE 1.6 petrol from new with 85,500 on the clock. We will be leaving the car at home for up to 17 days not garaged. The battery is two years old and the alternator is only three months...

Does fitting the wrong tyres cause problems with the transmission on a BMW X3?

I have a 2006 BMW X3 with 76,000 miles on the clock bought last year secondhand from a small local dealer. A few weeks ago the car developed a 'knocking noise' when slowing down to stop and then moving...

Is there a car with easy access that we can replace our 2004 Volkswagen Golf with?

My wife and I are now in our mid 70s and finding it difficult to get in and out of our 2004 Volkswagen Golf. We require something that you can "slide in and out of". Any suggestions what our next and possibly...

Is it possible to negotiate on a 2.0-litre Mazda MX-5 Sport?

I have read your advice online about buying and selling cars, which is a process I do not enjoy. However I am keen to buy a Mazda MX-5 sports car before I get too old to enjoy one and will need to part-ex...

Thanks for your help with our Volkswagen - Volkswagen UK's customer care has been excellent.

We received a call from the dealer, and apparently the reason for the multiple indentations on the car we bought was hailstorms. The dealer is taking the car in to assess the paintwork and is going to...

Why is my neighbour's manual Zafira cheaper to tax than my equivalent automatic?

My next-door neighbour and I both own Vauxhall Zafiras of about the same age. Mine is 2004/04 registered and his is 2004/54. Both have 1.8 petrol engines. His is a manual whilst mine is an automatic. I...

Is it normal for my Volkswagen Passat to have needed two clutch pack replacements by 50,000 miles?

Regarding the email from KB of Sevenoaks, I have a 2010 Volkswagen Passat 1.8 Passat CC DSG with 55,000 miles, and I have already had two clutch pack replacements to the DSG gearbox, following juddering...

Are there any known problems with the SEAT Altea's turbocharger?

My husband is looking at buying a SEAT Altea TDI. I've read a few comments on the internet about the turbo blowing and costing a fortune to repair. Is this a common fault? We had a Ford C-Max TDCI a year...

Should the brake discs on my Nissan Qashqai have corroded at just 11,500 miles?

I have a two-year old Nissan Qashqai, 11,500 miles, which was serviced today at a Nissan dealer. The garage say that the front discs need replacing as they are scored and will rust and that this is not...

How can I improve my boyfriend's Ford Focus for use in snow?

I used to have an R-reg Mondeo that was an absolute snowplough in the winter and had no concerns driving it anywhere. Last Xmas my boyfriend gave me his 2005 Focus, which is very bad to drive in the snow....

Should I remove the DPF from my Mazda 5?

The DPF light is showing on my 2008 Mazda 5 diesel. Some say it is the better option (and legal) is to remove the filter altogether. Any suggestions?

Can you recommend a car to downsize from our Volkswagen Passat?

I am currently driving a 10-year-old Volkswagen Passat B6 1.9TDi estate now coming up to 120,000 miles. Whilst this has been an excellent car I no longer need anything as big or powerful (I got the B6...

Do you endorse the Tyrepal tyre pressure indicators?

I wondered if the goods or services advertised in the motoring section of Saturday’s Daily Telegraph were endorsed by you or the Daily Telegraph? I was looking at the advert for "tyre pressure indicators"...

What do you think of the Fiat 500 and should I go for a petrol or diesel model?

I am looking to change my car from a Citroen C2 to a Fiat 500. I'm interested in economy and will probably keep this car for at least 10 years. I have always liked diesels but am worried about the problems...

Why am I told to call Fiat First accident management before my insurers in case of an accident?

I recently bought a new Fiat 500C. My query is that, amongst the huge amount of paperwork I received, I am encouraged in the event of an accident to contact 'Fiat First'. The garage where I bought it (Glyn...

Can I recommend LV Insurance?

Please let me once again extol the virtues of Liverpool Victoria insurance services. Having visited the recent Malvern Motorhome Show we fell in love with a 2006 Pioneer Jolliet, which we committed to...

What do you think about the new generation of diesel engines which use reduced compression ratio to improve fuel consumption?

There is an article in a recent ‘Economist’ magazine on a new generation of diesel engines. These apparently achieve better fuel consumption by reducing the compression ratios, enabling lighter faster...

What do you think about BMW's winter tyre and wheel offer?

Having just bought a BMW 320d xDrive Touring I am starting to think about winter tyres. BMW recommend I have 16-inch wheels against 17-inch fitted as standard. They are offering four steel wheels with...

Can you warn your readers not to use their cards to pay for fuel at automated filling stations in France?

A word of warning to motorists filling up at automated filling stations in France. I've just returned from a 2-week trip, and on checking my credit card account on line I discovered evidence of (apparent)...

Why doesn't my Peugeot 3008 satnav accept full UK postcodes?

I purchased a Peugeot 3008 in October 2009. Generally the car has served me well, but with one annoying defect. The satnav will not accept the full UK postcodes; only the first four or five digits. Consequently...

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