Which reliable five-door car offers reasonable fuel economy and performance?

My wife and I are looking to replace our ageing and ailing 5-door, 1.6 petrol Ford Focus. Happy with 'used' as opposed to new, as it will be mainly used by my better half for short journeys with the odd...

Why doesn't your column promote keeping older vehicles on the road?

I have been reading your letters page for many years, but have become increasingly frustrated by your toleration of the view that 'older' cars should be disposed of. Might I remind you that not all of...

Why are more people not replacing their headlight bulbs?

I am noticing more and more vehicles with only one headlight working. Driving home one evening last week I counted 1 in 12 cars had faulty lights front or back. Why are motorists are not doing simple checks...

Why do so many cars have blown bulbs?

I drive buses for a living. Over the last two or three years I have seen a noticeable increase in the number of vehicles with head/side or tail/brake lights with blown bulbs. Could it be that these particular...

How often do I need to take a DPF-equipped diesel for a long run?

We are looking to buy a diesel estate but have had conflicting advice on how often you have to take them out for longer, faster drives to avoid problems with DPFs. Is it twice a month or every couple of...

Why does the diff fluid need changing in my 26,000-mile-old Honda CR-V?

I have a second generation 2005 Honda CR-V 2.0ES. I felt a strange 'rubbing sound' on either full lock. After a diagnostic charge of £48 I was told the rear diff needed flushing out and a fluid change...

Is there anything to look out for on a BMW 123D?

I may have the opportunity to buy a BMW 123D via someone who has been leasing it for three years - so I 'know where it's been', sort of thing. It's a 2009 and has done about 50,000 miles, maybe a bit more...

Where can we have an ABS fault on our Vectra repaired cheaply?

We have a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 hatchback, which we bought seven months ago. It now has a Kelsey Hayes ABS pump fault, which we thought we could cure with a secondhand part. It would appear after several...

Why are the brake discs wearing so fast on our Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

My wife's 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class brakes have started to 'judder' and, after its latest major service by the main dealers, the discs were found to be 'warped and corroded' but with still plenty of pad...

Which fuel additives can I use in my Audi TDi?

When I looked up the Platinum Plus additive on Google it threw up several other additives also. All claimed to decrease fuel consumption, give smoother running and aid the DPF. Those mentioned were; Millers...