Are there any cars that are designed to last more than 12 years without rusting?

In the past I have owned a Volkswagen Polo and a Golf. The cars lasted 17 years and 14 years and were still good roadworthy cars when I sold them. I was shocked when I read your comments about modern cars...

My Ford Ka's failed its MOT badly - is it worth repairing?

I bought a Ford Ka about three months ago and just took it for an MOT which it failed badly! The offside rear (chassis) vehicle sturcture, nearside sill and offside floor pan have excessive corrosion,...

Toyota is replacing my Avensis' doors due to rust. Should they replace the whole car?

I have a 58-reg Toyota Avensis and I found rust in a couple of areas. Toyota have agreed to replace all four doors. The areas round the doors will be sprayed to blend the colour in. What is the likelihood...

Does the Mercedes-Benz W202 C180 really have a 30-year bodywork warranty?

John, you state in your car-by-car entry on the Mercedes-Benz W202 C180 that the bodywork has a 30 year warranty! I called Mercedes-Benz, who said it is only three years. What is the real situation? Is...

I bought a Mercedes-Benz A-Class 10 months ago and it's failed its MoT - can I go back to the dealer?

I purchased a secondhand 51-plate Mercedes-Benz A-Class from a main dealer 10 months ago. I have only done 1300 miles in it since then. I have taken it for an MoT today and they have informed me the car's...

Why is my freshly-serviced Citroen Xsara Picasso's front brake squeaking?

I recently bought a Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6HDi (2005) and, after about a week, noticed that there was a squeaking noise coming from the front driver's side wheel. This has got progressively louder over...

Is there anything I can do about my rusting 2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

I took delivery of a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class and have only just read your article. The car is a C180 Elegance and is dated 11/08/2000 in the EEC certificate of conformity. Initial registration 16/1/01....

Recommend an estate car for under £2000 to carry four kayaks?

I am looking for a first car, around the £1000-£2000 mark. It has to be able to carry four kayaks on the roof and seat four passengers, and possibly even sleep two in the boot. Ideally I would like an...

Why won't Mercedes-Benz repair the rusted doors on my 2002 S-Class?

I have a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class that has suffered premature rusting of some body panels. In March 2009 Mercedes-Benz UK agreed to repair the rust on a door panel, but it reappeared within a few weeks....

Is there anything I can do to prevent rust affecting my Hyundai i30's fuel tank?

In your car-by-car review of the Hyundai i30 you say the fuel tank will eventually rust. Will an underseal from new help prevent this? Are there any likely problems if underseal is applied?