Smooth customer - looking for the right auto

I like smooth quiet automatic cars and only do about 6,000 miles a year. I am thinking of buying a 5 or 6-year old Toyota Prius with 100,000 miles on the clock to keep the purchase price down. What do...

Foot loser - what happens in a crash?

During spells of hot weather, some front seat passengers trying to look cool (usually young females) put their up feet on the dashboard or even worse out of the window. In the event of a collision and...

Horsework - we need an estate for golf and horses

Having driven a good workhorse for the last seven years, a Vauxhall Astra Estate, I am now in a position to buy a new car for the first time in my life, at age 73 years. I am looking for a stylish, reliable,...

Discordant Jazz - transmission confusion

Like you, for eight years I have been an avid Honda Jazz Fan. However, having recently bought the new model with the new I-shift I am in despair. It is a horrible drive and I should be grateful to have...

Council tip - parking enforcement

I was at a party last Saturday, and I was trapped in a corner by a very well juiced council officer. The more drinks the guy had the more he was spilling the beans about his council’s parking activities....

Fast feud - parking dispute at McDonalds

After more correspondence with Met Parking and their escalation of penalty charges for ‘overstaying’ at MacDonalds, I have now received a Notice of Proposed Litigation from Debt Recovery Plus. I have...

Dimstruments - can't see the dials

I have a Mercedes C200 Kompressor, purchased new and registered April 2001. I have a problem with the square centre panel not lighting up immediately. This should show the mileage, trip mileage and time....

Buying an ex-rental car

I've been talking to Silverdale Cars in Oxfordshire about a 2.0 Diesel Mondeo Zetec. They have been completely open with me and told me the car I'm interested in is ex Enterprise Rent-a-Car (ERAC on the...

NatWest Super Scare - insurance renewal question

Renewal premium from my insurers, NatWest, has increased by 78%. Do you have views on the advisability of including ‘No Claims Discount Protection’. My quote includes 9 years + no claim discount. I used...

Return to spender - end of lease disagreement

I read with interest the email about Mercedes lease terminations. I have just returned a CLS AMG after 4 years and was charged over £1,200 for damage to bodywork, wheels and front screen. Like your correspondent...