Very pleased with customer service from MSB Skoda, Darlington.

I purchased an ex-demonstrator 1.6 diesel Octavia from MSB Skoda in Darlington in August 2010. To date I have been very pleased with both the car and the aftercare service from MSB. However, after about...

Buying a diesel - sensible?

I am in the market for a 1 year old, small/med diesel estate. I have never owned a diesel before and am concerned about what I read re DMFs. I have narrowed field to Peugeot 308SW, Vauxhall Astra Tourer,...

I bought a Skoda Octavia DSG to use as a taxi, and the gearbox has failed four times.

I bought Skoda Octavia to use as a taxi in 2008 and I know this ‘Dynamic Shift Gearbox’ better than someone who designed it. Soon after I received my car I felt the problems, but Skoda never admitted to...

Which small car to replace my wife's Volkswagen Polo C?

My wife drives a 1990 Volkswagen Polo C with 88,000 miles on the clock. It has no servo, no power steering, a stiff clutch and a grinding gearbox. It still keeps passing the MoT, however. She is coming...

Which Yeti engine?

What would be the best Yeti to buy for doing 8000/10000 miles per annum out of 1.6tdi CR 105 SE Greenline 2 5dr and 1.2 Tsi SE 2WD 5dr? I currently drive a Renault Scenic 1.9 Dci but will need to replace...

Medium Family car

I currently have an Audi A2 which has got to make way for something slightly bigger to accommodate a dog, two adults and one child. Where would you recommend I start in terms of size of vehicle e.g. MPV...

When should I change the cam belt on my Octavia vRS?

I've a '08 Octavia 2.0 TFSI petrol due for MOT & service now at 48k miles & 4yrs old. My service handbook doesn't recommend a toothed belt change until well over 100k but my local Skoda dealer says it's...

I replaced my diesel Octavia with a petrol Avensis and have saved a lot of money.

I was interested in your correspondent RY of Peterborough's comments about diesel engines. After 10 years of driving new and nearly new Volkswagen Group diesels and experiencing many of the problems your...

Why does my Skoda Superb use so much oil?

I own a Skoda Superb diesel 2.0TDI which consumes engine oil. After every 5000 to 6000km the oil level drops to the lower mark, though there is no warning sign on the dashboard. The car had problems with...

Which small, economical car for a first-time driver?

I am thinking of buying a car for our grandson who is just starting his first job after graduating. I could manage £5000 but might be able to make it more, possibly double for the right vehicle. Obviously...