Are pattern parts worth the saving?

Once my 2007 Mazda 3 was out of warranty I switched my servicing to a local and more convenient lower cost multi-franchise garage. Looking into parts costs I was amazed at the difference in price between...

Why are two dealers charging different prices for the same used car?

Searching on the official website I found two used Volkswagen Sharans within my budget of £20,000. One was at the local dealership, the other was in another dealership approximately 30 miles away. I visited...

Trouble buying a second hand car off eBay

Bought via a classified ad on Ebay, underneath the seller's name was the 'Motors' icon, which when you roll over it confirms that the seller is a motor dealer. The classified ad invited 'best offers'...

Audi A3 - almost too good to be true?

I have been investigating an Audi A3 1.8 TFSI (2008) that's been selling for a little below market value (according to Whatcar's free valuations). I have done a vehicle check on it using autotrader's service...

Why did this franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer try to oversell a routine repair job on my

I read with delight your colleague's article on spare tyres and their likely demise. I recently suffered a puncture in my 13-year-old 2-seater Mercedes-Benz drophead. A young decorator working nearby very...

How can we get good trade-in prices for our cars which match our local dealership's?

For thirty years my wife and I have bought and driven Honda cars. Throughout this period we must have bought 25 new cars from the same salesman at the same dealership. They serviced the cars and the trade-in...

Dealer attempted to raise the price of our new Touran after signing contract - what should I do?

I was today due to collect a 2010 Volkswagen Touran SE with 6000 miles on the clock from a Volkswagen dealership in Twickenham. The dealer sourced the Touran for us and gave us a price of £14,195, to which...

Why has the motor trade changed from mechanics to men in white coats?

I have attached an advert for a motor mechanic in the early 1960s that shows how the motor trade has changed to white coats and computers.

Another John - not so honest!

We went to see a car in Essex advertised as 10,000 miles, one previous owner, climate control and full Ford history. The dealers name was John. Me: "But this car has done 12,600 miles" Dealer: "Well I...

Sold an ex-paramedics car

I bought a Volkswagen Touran from an Arnold Clark superstore over a year ago. The car has had many problems during my ownership the most recent being a failed DSG box. Luckily I'd bought a warranty from...