Real MPG in my Focus is far lower than the manufacturer's quoted figure - why?

I bought a new Focus hatchback 1.0 EcoBoost 125 last week, lured by the 55mpg advertised by Ford and enthusiastically endorsed and claimed by the salesman. I can't get more than 43mpg, and that's on a...

How much of my Volvo V60 is based on the Mondeo?

I understand that the new Volvo V60 is based on the Ford Mondeo. Having just purchased a new V60 I would be interested in knowing how much of the vehicle is Mondeo-based. Presumably the lauded Mondeo driving...

Downsizing from a Mercedes - is the MINI Countryman a suitable replacement?

Due to a new job and having to travel many miles each week, I have to downsize from my Mercedes-Benz E320. I have children to accommodate, so I need space, plus a vehicle that can do many miles to the...

Is the Skoda Superb a reliable purchase?

The time has come to replace our December 2006 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Elegance Estate. We are looking for something a little bigger and the car would get twice weekly run of 140 miles, mostly on the...

First car for an under 25

Looking for something that will not be prohibitive for a driver under the of 25 to be insured to drive. He may turn out to be to be sole driver in about a year or so but in the meantime it needs to be...

Megane or Focus?

I am after a car on a budget and wondered if you could help. I have about £7000 - £8000 and would like a car used for some mild motorway driving either petrol or diesel, no real preference, and would...

Which family car?

I am looking for the best family car I can buy. I need it to be automatic and cost effective and safe. I've listed Peugeot 308 SW, Vauxhall Zafira, Ford Focus C-MAX. Boot space is important too. Can...

Starter motor overrun and clutch problem

Starting up from warm only, there is a lot of clatter which sounds like starter motor does not disengage soon enough. Yesterday this was accompanied by clutch failure but then after fiddling with pedal...

Replacing a V70 with a new petrol estate

We have a 2002 V70 2.4 petrol auto estate and are looking to replace it with something of similar size. The car averages 8000 miles per year and being wary of what HJ has said about diesel engines, we...

Reliability of a Ford Focus 1.6 and 2.0 tdci

I will soon buy a Ford Focus 1.6 or 2.0 TDCi, even though I drive only about 15,000 km/year. Which of these engines is more reliable? I'm thinking about problems with DPF, DMF, turbo, ... Or should...