Are diesels as economic as they used to be?

I am due to replace my BMW 330 diesel coupe this year. I drive around 20,000 miles a year, mainly on motorways. With the gap in prices between petrol and diesel widening, I have started to question whether...

Why has the turbo failed on my Vauxhall Corsa?

I have a 2007 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3CDTi that has done less than 50,000 miles. I have been experiencing loss of power at speed and have been told that the turbo needs replacing. Am I alone in assuming that...

Do you have any information on the small Jaguars that are about to be released?

I currently run a Jaguar X-Type, and have been very pleased with it, but now I would like a new one. I have considered the XF 2.2 diesel which is great, but is more car than I need. I have heard rumours...

Where can I get a good cheap car?

We need a large estate car - perhaps a Volvo - as we are a family of five with lots of clobber. I don’t mind a car with high mileage, as long as it is safe and reliable. Our budget is £1000, however I...

Is an £1100 S-Type Jaguar a good buy?

I have been offered a 1999 Jaguar S-Type Jaguar. It is a 3-litre V6 automatic. It appears to be the basic model with cloth interior, in good condition, with air-conditioning but not climate control. The...

Which reliable Ford should we buy as an all-purpose workhorse?

We would like to buy either a Ford Focus hatchback or estate or a 2008 Ford C-Max from British Car Auctions, where we have purchased several cars in the past. The car will serve as an all purpose workhorse...

I would like to endorse Volvo cars, as a driver of the marque since 1969.

I was delighted to read your recommendation of a Volvo in answer to DH of Herne Bay, headed "Invisible Touch". You rarely mention Volvos but I have driven them since 1969, have two at the moment, and my...

What is the lifespan of a catalytic converter?

What would you say is a fairly typical lifespan of a catalytic converter? Is using cheaper quality fuel likely to reduce the life of a cat? And are there any other factors (apart from misfiring) that can...

Should I replace my 2007 Audi A3 now before it develops any expensive problems?

My present car is a 2007 Audi A3 SE 2.0 litre TDI automatic that I have had from new. I do limited mileage (total 25,000 currently) and have much enjoyed the solidity and the luxury (metallic paint, leather...

Is the Mazda 5 a suitable replacement for our Ford C-Max?

We're planning to replace our Ford C-Max, a 3-year-old 2-litre diesel, in the near future. It has great performance and economy and a good seating position, but we'd like less road noise and a smoother...