Why are some traders reluctant to have mechanical checks performed on cars they are selling?

I'm looking to replace my E38 7-Series BMW with a 6-year-old 745. I've looked at a couple and phoned one trader to arrange to view the car, who asked what my plans were after viewing it. I said that I...

Dealer, or no dealer?

My Lexus GS300 is now in its 3rd year, with 14,000 miles on the clock. I am not really impressed with my local Lexus dealer, and am considering a service elsewhere. Are there any pitfalls or considerations...

Strutting German

Many thanks for your advice on the quotation I obtained from Mercedes Watford of £ 2,700 odd to replace a pair of front suspension struts and provide a new pump to the system on my 2004 E class Mercedes....

Za fearer

I purchased a 2006 Vauxhall Zafira from a dealer, in March 2010. Mileage 59,000, current mileage 61,000. 1600cc. A flashing engine management light was rectified by a garage recommended by dealer, and...

Sister act

I wonder if you could help? My sister bought a Vauxhall Astra from a private car dealer. Not sure how old, but it’s certainly not new. She got it for £800 and has had nothing but problems with it since,...

Trader vics

I bought a car from a motor trader (as says in his letter head ). I have some minor problems with the car. On approaching the trader about getting the car repaired, he is saying the car he took in part...

Is Ford pricing itself out of the company car market?

It appears Ford's current preference is to maintain high official list prices and then to rely on dealers to grant large market place discounts in order to bring prices into line with market competitors....

I had a failed head gasket replaced cheaply and it's gone again. Anything I can do?

I have a 54-reg Nissan Patrol 3.0. During January this year I had a head gasket failure. I put it into an independent garage that boasts of savings of around half the main dealer labour charges. They used...

I bought a used Citroen C1 that was advertised as being PDI'd and serviced - but it hadn't. What can I do?

I recently bought a 58-reg Citroen C1 from a dealer for my son. It came with service history showing that a service had been done and stamped by the dealer at 10,200 miles, and according to the documents...

I think a garage broke my stereo by leaving a magnetic lamp in my car - should I report them to Trading Standards?

A couple of weeks ago I had my car serviced at my local garage, then yesterday I parked up and with my wheels at an angle I noticed something dangling from the suspension behind the wheel arch which looked...