Birthday treat

I’ve just seen your comments in Sunday's paper about 2 year service intervals and related engine failures. I bought my Polo new in July 2006 and when it was a year old (following your advice of course)...

Alfa darling

For fun, we have just bought an 03 Alfa Romeo 147 that has done 28,000 miles, which is, of course, rather low. It has yearly service stamps but no other maintenance documentation. What checks and maintenance...

Should I get my Hyundai Tucson's full timing belt kit replaced, including tensioners and idlers, or just the belt alone?

I have a 2-litre petrol Hyundai Tucson due a 50,000-mile service. The schedule recommends replacement of the timing belt, which the main dealer will fit. However, a non-franchised dealer recommends a full...

Why won't Volvo cover warranty claims on my 2009 XC70?

Five weeks ago I bought a 2009 Volvo XC70 from a Volvo garage. I was told it had two years of Volvo guarantee. However I found, after a week, that the service had not been done on time. Today I heard from...

Are you correct about the Hyundai ix35's service intervals?

I have just purchased a Hyundai ix35 CRDi 4x4 Premium which, according to the warranty booklet, must be serviced every 12 months or 12,500 miles. In your review of this car you said that the service interval...

What components should be changed at the same time as my 2005 Skoda Octavia's timing belt?

I own a 2005 Skoda Octavia with a 2.0-litre 140bhp Volkswagen PD diesel engine in it. It has done 70,000 miles and I want the timing belt changing at the next service. As well as the belt, what else needs...

Which is the best Mazda MX-5 model?

I'm thinking of buying an early MX-5. I remember you recommending a particular year as being the being the best bet, which was it? I like to work on my own vehicles and I think that you mentioned that...

Our Volkswagen Fox requires cylinder head repairs - what should we do?

We bought our Volkswagen Fox used about nine months ago. It's a 2006 which has covered 35,000 miles, and the last two services were performed outside the Volkswagen network. Four weeks ago the engine management...

When should I change my Vauxhall Vectra's timing belt?

Having been caught out on my last Vauxhall with an expensive timing chain failure, when should I consider changing it on my 57-reg Vectra Estate Auto 1.9D (150) please? It's currently on 60,000 miles.

Which economical 4WD vehicle would you recommend for tackling mountains?

I climb, hike and mountaineer, and want a 4WD to haul me and my gear off road to the crags, as I'm 60 and can't walk 20 miles before climbing a mountain any more. I'd like decent ground clearance, 60mph...