Transmission failure in Volkswagen Up

We own a Volkswagen Up manual which is 38 months old (just out of warranty) and has developed a clutch/gearbox problem. Does this seem premature? The car has covered 28000 miles.

Battery light on Ford Focus dash

The battery light has come on my dashboard, then when driving the car the handbrake light also came on (obviously the handbrake is off), then the odometer showed ---- and the speedometer wouldn't move...

Insurance and an admin error

I'm being taken to court for having no insurance. I've spoken to my insurer and there was an admin error and one letter was incorrect on my registration. The premium was fully paid. My query is in the...

Buying a smallish estate with style and performance

My wife fancies a MINI Countryman but I think it might be a bit small to cope with our dog and ever growing grandchildren with luggage etc. I think a Honda Civic Tourer would be more practical, but I am...

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI or other?

My daughter wants a secondhand car. Her budget is £7000 and she set her heart on a Volkswagen Golf. She is a keen road cyclist so would like to put her bike in back. I have read some mixed reviews on Golf...

Volkswagen DSG problems

Are there any issues with the DSG gearbox on these cars - 2014 and 2015 models only? I recall often reading about VW DSG issues on the HJ pages but not sure when, which model, and whether they're still...

Buying a crossover- which car has the best longevity?

My preference is to buy a new/newish crossover style car and I like the Nissan Qashqai, but i have been advised that being a Nissan, it will run into problems and be expensive in it's latter years/ not...

Importing a car from Switzerland to the UK

I have been living and working in Switzerland for seven years and am returning to the UK. Due to highish mileage (180k km) there is little demand for my car in Switzerland, though I am happy to keep driving...

Which car should I chose for better investment?

I have decided to buy a petrol car considering I only do 13000 miles a year. There are two cars on my mind and I know they are two different types, one saloon, one hatchback or one bigger than the other,...

Which MPV?

For the last 16 years or so I've driven Ford Galaxy, save for a two year dalliance with a Peugeot 807. But it's time to get something a little smaller and more economical. Can I do that and retain the...

Land Rover Evoque tyre choice advice

I am about to order a land rover evoque. I can choose the tyres. It comes with 17-inch, 18-inch, 19-inch or 20-inch tyres. Which would be the best all weather tyres to choose?

Running-in a new car when towing caravan

I have just bought a Kia Sorento KX2 Diesel manual. What mileage is required before towing a caravan 1500kg, and what diesel/additives do you recommend? Is it okay to tow while running-in?

Company car choice conundrum?

I have had a promotion at work and been offered the choice of a company car or a car allowance of £350 per month. The stipulations are that the car must be a diesel (as my estimated yearly mileage is...

Mini Cooper D looses all power at high revs

I have 2008 Mini Cooper D. I do not usually drive hard but on 2 occasions now after running at low speeds waiting to overtake and then using full throttle to accelerate, the engine management light comes...

DPF on a Skoda 1.9 TDI

I am thinking of buying a 60 plate Skoda 1.9 TDI PD and can't get a definitive answer to the question of does this engine have a DPF fitted. I've asked a similar question before but based on the garages...

Diesel engine for L3H2 van - should get euro 6 compliant engine?

We are buying a L3H2 size van for conversion before Sept 2015. Should we go for a Euro 6 compliant engine as this restricts the range of models available? Are there any engines in new vans available...

Turbo seals and DPF blown by oil overfill on Audi A1

I bought my 2011 plate Audi A1 March 2014 from Volkswagen Swansea. Since purchasing the car any problems or any work done has always been carried out by them. Last week, the turbo seals and DPF blew on...

Servicing a BMW

I have just swapped my BMW 320d for a later (2014) model. When I queried with the dealer the lack of a service record booklet he said that BMW now store the service records on computer to prevent owners...

Buying a Polo DSG

I am planning to change my existing Polo for the new 1.2 TSE SE with dreaded DSG. Have you have you had any reports of problems with the DSG on this model? Also some reviews are saying ride is not as good...

Hill start problem

I'm finding it difficult to do hill starts in my 2015 Ford Ka and am having to rev over 3000rpm and then slip clutch, otherwise the car feels as if it's about to stall. Please bear in mind I have over...

Which car to replace an MX-5?

I've had a MX5 2.0 Coupe Cabrio Sport from new - it's now eight years old, and has done about 58k miles. It's never let me down - has always been reliable and I've loved it. However, I fancy a change,...

Relacing a Volvo V70 - Recommendations?

I need to replace my trusty and faithful, (had it for 12 years) Volvo 2000, V70 2.5D SE with something equivalent - recommendations please. What are your thoughts about current Volvo V70's.Can spend...

Heavy steering on a Honda Jazz

I have the option to buy a Honda Jazz (2002-2008) 1.4 CVT-7 and have had a 40 minute test drive but by the end of it, my arms felt like I had been lifting weights. I have never had this before,and I've...