Would you recommend the Vauxhall Astra hatchback or the Hyundai i30 diesel hatchback?

I have to make a choice between a new Vauxhall Astra diesel hatchback 1.7 CDTI 16v (130PS) Ecoflex Exclusiv 5 door SS and a new Hyundai i30 diesel hatchback 1.6 CRDi (110PS) Blue Drive Active 5 door, and...

Does the KIA Soul have a DPF?

I will check whether the 2011 KIA Soul diesel automatic we are looking at has a DPF. It seems it will be a bonus if it has. We have looked at the Venga but don't find it very attractive. There's something...

How can we tell the difference between petrol and diesel?

We have two fuel containers for emergency use in our cars, my husband’s being petrol and mine diesel. Is there any way of knowing which is which? We think they have been switched over after cleaning the...

Which small car to replace my Fabia which doesn't have a DPF?

I am thinking of replacing my 89,000 mile 2004 Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI with a similar car. I do about 9000 miles a year, mostly short runs. In view of your warnings about DPFs can you tell me at what point...

My Jaguar XF averages 42mpg - is this unusual?

I have a 2008 Jaguar XF 2.7 diesel I bought with 50,000 miles on the clock. I am averaging 42mpg. I pride myself on getting every mile from a tankful and arriving on time at my destination.

Which SUV do you recommend?

I have a RAV4 T180 and hung on for the new RAV4, as my current car has been great, but I’m not keen on the replacement. I looked at most of the competition and think we might prefer an auto this time....

Would you recommend the 2008 BMW 520d SE or the Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI?

I have found two saloon cars for a similar price. Both are 2008 models with full service history and will come with a 2-year warranty. The dealer will take my wife's car as a trade-in. The cars are a BMW...

Is the Ford Powershift automatic transmission likely to cause any problems?

Because of trouble with my left hip and knee I have been finding using the clutch pedal painful and have been looking at small cars with automatic transmissions. I have been offered £8500 trade in on a...

Is a diesel Land Rover Evoque inappropriate for short urban journeys?

We are considering buying a new Evoque, but virtually all are diesels and we are concerned about the particulate filters. We do many short local journeys in built up areas, and only occasionally and mainly...

What sort of journey is sufficient to allow the DPF to clear in a diesel BMW 3 Series?

I was interested to read the question titled "Agriculture club" that concluded "you bought completely the wrong engine for your type of use". I'm currently considering a new, or nearly new, BMW 3 Series...