Is the Citroen 1.2 Puretech engine reliable?

I have seen a Citroen C3 Aircross 2023 at an excellent price £10595. My concern is the notorious online reviews of the Peugeot-Citroen 1.2 Puretech engine. It comes across as a horror story waiting to...

Is undertaking a lane hogger on the motorway illegal?

Previously, when people ask for your advice regarding passing dawdler on the nearside, you have said that it is not illegal to undertake. Furthermore, one of your correspondents has said that the safer...

How can I get rid of a smeary windscreen?

I have been plagued for a long time with smears on my inside windscreen of my VW Tiguan. I have tried all sorts of glass cleaners including AutoGlym and G Techiq among washing-up liquid and rubbing alcohol....

Is the Volkswagen EA888 engine reliable?

I value your tech advice. I’m planning on buying a 2018/19 Audi SQ2 facelift. I am aware that common issues with the 2.0-litre EA888 engine have been PCV valve and leaking thermostat housing. Do you know...

Why did my emergency braking system trigger for no reason?

I was driving at 60mph on an A-road, the vehicle in front was 150 yds ahead also doing 60mph. Suddenly without any warning the emergency braking warning light flashed on, the sound bleeped and the brakes...

Is there a new design of speed camera being used?

I've recently noticed several examples of what seem to be a new form of speed camera. It's much taller than those I've become used to, it's yellow, with a pair of yellow cameras at the top and a pair of...

I sold a car as a trader but the customer had repairs done without my agreement - where do I stand?

I sold a car as a trader - the customer had repairs done before I agreed to them or had any quote for the work - I offered to provide brand new parts that were costing £200 I have been asked to pay the...

Is a Volkswagen T6 a good used buy?

I’ve managed to got some funding from Bristol to council to trade in my old car for something that is Clean Air Zone compliant. The funding lasts until 21st November, so have plenty of time but thought...

Do any cars have built-in dash cams?

Is there any vehicle on sale in UK which has a forward facing recording dash cam fitted as standard or as an optional extra ?

Can I have the windows on my new car tinted retrospectively?

I omitted having privacy glass on my new Porsche Cayenne and regret it. Can I have the windows tinted retrospectively?

Do I need a geometry check if replacing two rear coil springs?

Am I correct in saying that following the replacement of two rear coil springs on a Ford Mondeo there would be no need to have a geometry check including front toe adjustment and rear toe adjustment? Especially...

Why does my Skoda Karoq intermittently lock itself even with keys inside?

Why does my Skoda Karoq intermittently lock itself even with keys inside?

Why won't my BMW dealer repair brake calipers?

I recently took my 2017 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer to the local BMW dealership for a 2-year brake fluid replacement. I was advised that the technician was unable to service the rear brake cylinders as...

What happens to a new car warranty if a manufacturer goes bust?

Looking on the internet at the number of EV makers that have gone bust in China, we are now experiencing a glut of Chinese EVs into the UK. Jaecoo, Chery, Great Wall Motor, NIO, XPeng, Leapmotor, Zeekr,...

If I transfer my insurance policy will a potential buyer of my old car be covered by his policy to drive it?

If I transfer my policy to my new car will a potential buyer still be covered by his policy to drive mine even though it’s not insured by me?

Should I put E5 fuel in my car if I'm not going to use it for six weeks?

Should I add E5 fuel to my 2022 Suzuki Vitara if I'm not going to use it for maybe a month or six weeks? I read somewhere that E5 is more stable but I read somewhere else that it attracts water and will...

Should I buy a car that has missed a service?

I test drove a Mazda MX-5 1.5 yesterday. I liked it and the condition appears to be very good. It was registered in April 2022 so is just over 3 years old and it has 37,000 miles on the clock which is...

Do I need to have four matching tyres on my car?

I have just got a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer M Sport which has three different makes of tyres. The rear two are Bridgestone weather control A005, 225/45 R18 95V, but the front offside has a Sailun Atresso...

What do you recommend as a replacement for a Toyoto Yaris Verso?

My wife has had a Toyota Yaris Verso for 21 years from new. It meets all her needs but it is getting a bit tired. She is looking for a replacement and her requirements are a manual, low flat rear so dog...

How can I prevent cloudy headlamps?

A couple of years ago I had an MoT failure on my 2003 MG ZT due to cloudy headlamps, requiring them to be polished. They have subsequently began to similarly deteriorate again and I'm dubious that this...

Will E5 petrol still be available after 2026?

On the introduction of E10 petrol back in Sept 1st 2021 the government at the time said E5 would be available for the next 5 years. So the cut-off point could be Sept 2026. I run my Golf on E5 and have...

Is the alarm going off a sign of a weak battery?

I have a 2017 BMW 440i still running on its original 12-volt battery. Although there are no obvious signs of failure, the alarm went off yesterday for no apparent reason and I’ve been told a weak battery...

Should I have been told that a used car I bought was previously written off?

I bought a 63 plate Skoda Yeti last year as a second car for the dogs. I’m planning to part-ex it but the dealer who is buying notified me that at some point in 2024 it had failed the MoT then marked as...

Is a used Ford Transit Connect a good buy?

I’m looking to trade my 2017 VW Caddy for a 2023 Ford Transit Connect Active. I've never had a Ford van previously - does the Ford have any potential issues compared to the Caddy?

What cheap car has rear seats that fold flat?

I an looking to spend up to £3k and want a low tax and insurance but roomy car with rear seats that go flat. What do you suggest?

What does DCC actually change on a Volkswagen Golf?

Does the DCC option on a VW Golf Match enable the suspension to be made either softer or firmer? The VW website implies this is the case, but my local dealer - who is trying to sell me a car without DCC...

Why has Dacia changed the size of the engine in the Sandero?

Dacia initially fitted a TCe 90 engine of 898cc capacity to the Sandero initially of 90BHP power. Why did Dacia enlarge this engine to 1000cc with the same power output?

Does a timing belt need to be changed every five years?

The handbook for my Fiat 500 says that the timing belt should be replaced after 72,000 miles or every 5 years regardless of mileage. Since the belt was last replaced 5 years ago the car has only done 8000...

What has caused a broken intake valve in my car?

I recently had my fuel injectors renewed at a garage. The car ran fine for two months then just cut out on a short motorway journey. I took it back to the garage to be told that an intake valve was broken...

I sold a car in good faith but the buyer says it need repairs and wants me to pay - where do I stand?

I recently sold a 14 year old MINI which I had bought for my wife but she prefered her original car. I MoTd it and drove it for twelve miles and it passed the MoT and drove without fault. Subsequently...

Why can't I buy plain E5 petrol?

All of the fillings stations I have used only sell E5 petrol with their branded additives such as Ultimate, Nitro+, V-Power, Momentum at a premium of 20-30p on E10 fuel. I guess this is to make more money...

What's the best small automatic car for an older person?

We have an 80+ year old female friend who needs to replace a 2002 Skoda Fabia Auto. The reality is that she will not be driving for many more years would therefore prefer to spend something under £10,000....

How do I choose the right brake discs for my car?

What information and tips I should keep in mind when looking for the right brake discs?

Is it okay to leave my EV parked for a month at the airport?

I have just purchased a Citroen e-C3 EV Max. Twice a year I go away for a month and leave my car at the airport after a month but would the EV battery have drained too much to restart. I had a 73 plate...

Why have my cornering lights stopped working?

My Vauxhall Insignia cornering lights have stopped working. Do they work on a fuse? Can you help me please?

What's the best used van without a wet belt?

I've got a budget of about £10k and ideally I want a van without a wet belt (just because I've heard horrible things about them). Do they exist and do I have to go for an old van to find one? I currently...

What car do you suggest for someone with two dogs?

I have a Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid. It gives me about 73 mpg and has most facilities that anyone could ask for. My problem is the size. I have 2 dogs and if I take them in this car, it is a tight squeeze...

Will changing from run flat tyres mean a more comfortable ride?

My 2020 BMW 330i is excellent except that a back injury now necessitates a more compliant ride. The original run flat tyres are quite harsh on 19-inch wheels. Would I notice much difference in the ride...

Why does my car not start sometimes?

Why will my Renault Clio not start sometimes? It turns over but won’t start yet if I leave it for a while then it starts. Any suggestions?

Any suggestions for an inexpensive first car for an 18 year old?

Any suggestions for an inexpensive first car for an 18 year old? We appreciate insurance will be a factor. Many years ago you suggested a Honda Jazz for our niece, this worked well. I think she has now...

Do I need to tell my insurer if I'm using a roofbox?

If I use a roofbox for, say, just one week during the year, am I required to inform my insurer of this? I understand that a roofbox may affect the car's handling if it is badly mounted and/or unevenly...

Can you buy battery powered dash cams?

Are there any dash cams which operate only on battery? Either rechargeable or replaceable? I do not like wires from car power point/cigarette lighter trailing and draping all over and around windscreen...

How many years do tyres last?

I have a 2015 BMW X1 which has covered 45000 miles. The front tyres have been replaced once but the rear ones are originals and now 10 years old. They are still legal and have approx 4mm of tread. Is there...

Will charging an EV via a three-pin domestic socket damage the battery?

I would like to purchase an EV but I am unable to have a home charging point installed for a while yet. Will it damage the battery if I charge the car via a 2.3kw 3-pin domestic socket, the extra time...

I was given a parking ticket for having two wheels slightly on a double yellow line - can I appeal?

My back wheels were slightly on a double yellow line but the ticket I was given states I was on a road with parking restrictions. There was no signage on the road indicating parking restrictions. Are the...

How can I restore the interior plastic trim on my car?

I have a six year old Ford Focus which has some damage to the centre console, in front of the gear stick. The matt coating on the plastic has come off in certain parts, leaving shiny gloss parts that look...

What car do you suggest for a pensioner?

Can you suggest car for pensioner for £11,000. Used mainly around town but with round trips or 100 miles or so and 500 mile trip twice a year. Main driver 5ft, second driver usually in passenger seat....

What's happening with the Volvo RTTI system failure?

Do you have any inside information on the Volvo RTTI failure which is affecting thousands of owners across Europe and has been going on for months with no end in sight?

Our van keeps going into limp mode - what's the issue?

We have a Nissan Primastar. It has only just had a service but the following problem was pointed out to my mechanic. The glow plug and service light comes on after about 3 miles of travelling, then goes...

Should I keep my six year old wet belt Ford Focus or sell it?

I have a 2019 Ford Focus with just over 80,000 miles on the clock. I haven't changed the wet belt but I've spent £3k on repairs to exhaust sensors and a new catalytic converter. A year ago I had to replace...