Does my cambelt need changing before the service schedule suggests?

My Audi Q3 diesel is 5 years old and has covered 46,000 miles. The dealer says it needs a new belt and water pump for £1300, but according to my service schedule, it isn’t due yet. I’ve had a mechanic...

Should faulty air con be covered a used car dealer?

My son bought a car on Sunday from a secondhand dealership. On the test drive, the air con was blowing but didn't seem very cold so he assumed maybe it hadn't had a chance to cool (he knows this shouldn't...

What's the best used pickup for £5000?

I'm looking for a pickup and I have a budget of up to £5000. What make/model would you recommend? Regards.

My windscreen wipers judder over streaks on the glass. How do I fix the issue?

I bought a BMW Z4 in June as a demonstrator. It was first registered in March and has done 1500 miles. There's a problem with the windscreen wipers juddering and, in heavy rain, they judder so much that...

My tyres are perishing at 12,000 miles. Do you have any advice about seeking compensation?

Four years ago, I purchased four Pirelli Scorpion Verde Tyres for my SUV. As an advertised premium brand with a lifetime warranty, I was willing to pay the relatively high cost. Unfortunately, after only...

There's potentially water in my car's fuel tank. What should I do?

I left the fuel cap off my petrol Kia. I didn't find this out for 3 weeks whilst on holiday. Rain probably got into the fuel tank. What should I do?

Can you recommend a car like my Yaris, but with a higher seating position?

I have a 3-year-old Toyota Yaris Design Hybrid with 10,000 miles. In general terms, the car is perfect; economical, reliable, and comfortable to drive. Unfortunately, I'm waiting for a new hip and I don't...

I'm being charged £630 for minor scuffs and marks on a lease car. Where do I stand?

Having reached the end of my lease arrangement with Ford after three years, an inspector came to look over my Fiesta. He said I'd kept it in good condition and then proceeded to point out marks, scuffs...

I've had a new clutch fitted to my car, but the garage is asking for regular checks to keep warranty valid

I've just had a new clutch and flywheel fitted to my Ford Mondeo. The garage has included a 24 month/18,000-mile warranty on the clutch and a 12 month/12,000-mile warranty on the flywheel. To keep the...

Should I buy a Hyundai i10 without a service history?

I am in the process of buying a 2011 Hyundai i10 which has done 25,000 mileage, one previous owner. The service history looks good but stops at 2016 (which could be ok as the car has not covered many miles...

My son's car has an oil leak that's being investigated. What is the likely cause?

A year ago, my son’s 2015 Ford Focus ST EcoBoost had an engine failure when the oil sump developed a hole. He then had a reconditioned engine put in. At the recent MOT, he was told there was an oil leak...

Which Volkswagen automatic gearbox should I avoid?

I've read many times of problems with this Volkswagen DSG auto gearbox. Could you please remind me of the engine/auto combination to avoid?

What's the best electric or PHEV for towing?

I currently drive a Mitsubishi Shogun, I would like to replace it with an all-electric or hybrid SUV but I have been told that I won't be able to pull as much weight as I pull now. The Shogun hauls 3250kg,...

When should I change the cam belt on my Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI?

I have just bought an immaculate, used Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.4 TSI SE from a main dealer. The car is a 2017 model with 39,800 miles on the clock and a full dealer service record. Question: does this...

Is there an automatic, single cab pickup in the UK?

Is there an automatic pickup truck in the UK without a double cab, please?

Has Mitsubishi quit the UK?

I've heard rumours about Mitsubishi leaving the UK. Is this correct?

Is there a small van that's suitable for tall drivers?

Are there any small vans that have sufficient driver space for someone 6'8" tall?

Is a 2015 Honda Civic a risky buy?

I'm looking at buying a 2015 Honda Civic 1.6 diesel manual with 56,000 miles on the clock. It's from the main dealer with a warranty of one year and two previous owners. It has a full service history,...

My 8-year-old Kia has a long list of issues despite being lightly used. Do you agree this is unacceptable?

I own an 8-year-old Kia Sportage that I bought from my local Kia dealer 7.5 years ago with 2500 miles on the clock. Since then, the car has been serviced and MOT'd at that garage. At its recent service,...

Can my friend cancel their car lease agreement due to ill health?

A friend of mine who has a terminal illness is having trouble cancelling his lease on his car as he cannot drive anymore due to his illness. The leasing company has said he will have to pay the remaining...

What's the best electric car for towing a caravan?

We have a 2009 Ford Focus, which is used mostly for short trips. We also have a 2008 Freelander 2 mostly used for longer trips and for towing our caravan up to 250 miles at a time. Both are MoT'd and running...

The car I bought from a dealer looks like it's been involved in an accident - what are my rights?

Five months ago purchased a one owner Fiesta from a dealer with a 12 month Ford warranty. Just after delivery, I contacted the dealer explaining that the boot wasn’t opening/closing correctly and they...

Do I need a GB sticker to drive in Europe?

I have a new car (June 2021) and it has the Union Flag and GB on the number plates. I am driving to Germany in September and understand that the GB and Union flag showing will not be allowed. I don't want...

Should I buy the automatic Nissan Juke for motorway commuting?

I'm 24 and I'm looking to buy a new or secondhand car. A lot of my driving is on the motorway and do at least 10k miles a year. I'd like an automatic as it'll be easier in motorway traffic for me, and...

Why does the Skoda Citigo make a clicking sound when I change gear?

I am thinking about buying a Skoda Citigo but I can hear a clicking noise when changing up through the gears, is this a sign of a gearbox problem? The garage says it is normal because the car has very...

How is water getting into my Mercedes-Benz SLK?

I have a 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200, which I bought last year for some much-needed fun after the first pandemic lockdown. Recently, I have noticed a large amount of water in the boot (spare wheel well)...

There's water leaking onto the rear door sills on both sides of my car. Where could the leak be?

I cleaned my 2015 Volkswagen Golf at the weekend and discovered water in the middle of the rear door sills on both sides of the car. I haven't noticed it before. I used a garden hose rather than a pressure...

What is the crunching noise when I shift into different gears?

I have a 2015 Hyundai Tucson with 50,000 miles on the clock. A few weeks ago I started having problems getting into fourth gear; it makes a horrible sounding crunching noise every time I shift into it....

How do you turn daytime running lights off completely?

How do you turn the daytime running lights on or off in my 2014 Volkswgen CC?

I own a 2003 BMW, which doesn't need the timing chain replacing according to my garage. Do you agree?

The water pump, radiator and timing chain on my 2003 BMW E46 Touring (with 123,500 miles on the clock) have never been changed. The expansion tank was replaced in February 2019. I asked a local, independent...

My number plates have been cloned, what should I do?

My number plates seem to have been cloned. This came about as the police wrote a quite threatening letter to me about speeding from a completely different part of the country. I have responded, I'm just...

Can I ask for a like-for-like courtesy car due to a manufacturer fault?

I own a Mercedes AMG GT C which had a manufacturer fault. The replacement part is taking more than 2 months to arrive at the dealer. I've been offered an A-Class as a courtesy car. I want to know if it's...

Why are my tyres cracking?

I purchased a new set of tyres in October 2019 for my Vauxhall Vectra. I've done 1500 careful miles since then, during which I put 45PSI in them (50PSI is the max) and moved them on the drive once a week....

Is replacing tyres on a 4WD drive car different to a 2WD model?

I've just bought a nearly new Cupra Formentor VZ2 with around 1000 miles on the clock from the main dealer. When we purchased it, the salesman pointed out that it had a new tyre (different to the other...

Should I buy a group 1 insurance car to get a No Claims Discount?

I've had a 31-year-old car on classic car insurance for about 6 years. I've lost my NCD as it's over 2 years since it was valid and I'm 69 soon. Should I buy a group 1 car and try to get some No Claims...

What needs changing at the same time a cambelt is replaced?

My Skoda Superb is 5 years old with 37,500 miles. I'm told the cambelt should be changed at this age. What else should be done at the same time?

Will prices of electric cars come down soon?

I would like to change my current car for an electric one, but at the moment they don't have the range I would like. I think this will happen in time, along with more charging points, but do you think...

What do you think of the Volkswagen Up Beats?

Is the Volkswagen Up Beats a good car?

Which small cars have a reliable automatic gearbox?

I bought a one-year-old Honda Jazz for my wife in 2012. It’s proved reliable and practical for her needs. She initially wanted an automatic but we agreed that the gearbox at the time was dreadful so we...

Mechanic says the oil level is high due to diesel in the oil sump from stopping DPF cycle. Is this possible?

I've just had my Hyundai Tuscan serviced and, after 3000 miles checked, the oil level - which was about 2cm above the max line. I took it back to the garage and they said it was because the DPF had been...

My Ford has the same clutch issue reappearing as I approach the end of warranty. Any guidance?

I bought a 2018 Ford Galaxy powershift with 25,000 miles on the clock in January 2020. Within 6 months, a strange noise was coming from the front and the clutch felt as though it was slipping. It mainly...

What's the fuel efficiency of a plug-in hybrid when the battery has run out?

Is there a rule of thumb about how much less efficient a plug-in hybrid is when the battery runs out compared to a combustion engine equivalent? For example, if a conventional petrol or diesel model did...

Can you recommend a small crossover for mostly local driving?

I've recently retired and want something smaller than my Mercedes C-Class. I'd like something similar in size to the original Toyota RAV4; a small, raised, 2WD or 4WD. But I do need comfort, in particular...

Why is my van door locked shut?

The passenger door on my 2006 Ford Transit has locked and will not open. What's the issue?

What's the ticking noise when I start my car?

What's the ticking noise behind the dashboard when I turn the ignition? The car is a Volvo S40.

My car has barely moved since the last service. Do you think it really needs a full service?

My 2015 Honda Jazz automatic has only done 41 miles since its last full service. It is due next month along with the MOT. Do you think it needs another service after 41 miles in 12 months? I look forward...

My insurance company won't cover a claim for stone chips. What do you suggest?

My car is covered in small stone chips that happened on a motorway drive. The paintwork is ruined but my insurance company refuses to recognise it as accidental damage even though it was one occasion....

I bought a unsatisfactory, faulty car and the dealer won't give a full refund. What next?

I bought a 2006 BMW E46 2.0-litre diesel convertible on 13 May for £2700. It'd done 105,000 miles. I bought it in Birmingham, I live in Shropshire. On the drive home, it was clear that between 1200 and...

Can you recommend a cheap, reliable runabout?

We need to buy a secondhand car for my wife for local trips. She will probably do no more than 2000 miles per year. Can you please recommend something between £3000 and £5000, which hopefully would prove...

The ABS warning light is on. Will this cause performance issues?

The ABS and anti-traction control warning lights are illuminated. Will this cause performance problems?