New Focus - can I manage with a DPF?

The new Ford Focus Powershift presently comes only with a Diesel engine. Is the diesel problem RECTIFIED on this new model or do they still come with DPF? If they still have DPF would 20 miles on the...

Can you recommend a small 4x4 for use on snow-covered roads?

I live on a hill and my drive is very steep. I did have a BMW X3 which was great in the snow but I foolishly sold it last year for a BMW 1 Series thinking I did not need such a big car. With the big freeze,...

Smokey Mondeo

Six weeks ago I purchased a 2008 Mondeo Mk4, 2.2 TDCI. On occasions there is a smell of oil that permeates into the cabin of the car. On a couple of occasions after stopping the engine, grey smoke smelling...

Faulty air-con

I have a 2006 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI, just recently the air con has stopped working. I took it to a garage to have it regassed and was told gas levels were ok. Since then I have checked fuses - all ok. The...

Part-time car

My husband and I both work full time and normally each of us requires a vehicle. We have a 2007/07 S-Max 2-litre TDCI, which we have owned from new, and a 2009/09 VW Caravelle. For the next 2 years - and...

Sleeper car

I drive a Ford Mondeo, but I am now having to drive long distances. A more restful car to drive would be welcome. Would a Mercedes C-Class fill the bill or should I consider a BMW 5 series or a Jaguar...

What could be causing a strange 'drain-like' odour in our friend's Ford Focus?

In early July a friend who has a five year old Ford Focus noticed a "dank drain-like" smell in the car. The intervening eight weeks has not seen it diminish. In fact it has got worse, even permeating into...

Whereafore auto

For over 50 years I have been driving conventionally geared cars I am now 81 and considering moving to a slightly smaller car, an automatic Fiesta in place of my Toyota Auris. I drive about 14,000 miles...

Gear change

I currently have a 2005 Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0 Litre diesel with DSG gearbox. Car has been faultless and I have experienced none of the reported "hesitation" with the 6-speed wet DSG box. Now time to...

Good top of range MPV on mobility please?

Comfortable high ride, good fuel economy, manual or automatic (not too used to automatics but keep getting advised that the new ones are more fuel efficient?) At the moment we seem to be looking at Scenics,...