Shifting circumstances

We are opting for either a new Ford Fiesta Zetec automatic or a new VW Polo SE 1.4 DSG-7. Our budget is approx £15,000 to £16,000 in cash which of these would be best, or should we choose something else?

Golf warning

My sister has a 2005 Golf Mk5 GT 140bhp TDi with climate and DSG without flappy paddles but, with climate, option pack, metallic paint etc., with approx 55k miles on it. It has been on a VW service plan...

Alarmalert

I have a 5 month old Golf Mk VI which from new has had a faulty alarm that occasionally goes off for no apparent reason. The dealer has tried some fixes but the problem still exists. The dealer says that...

Wheeler dealing

I wish to buy a set of winter tyres and steel (ie non-alloy) wheels for my VW Tiguan Escape. My VW dealer tells me I cannot buy steel wheels in the UK and therefore would have to buy a set of alloys, total...

VAT chance

My question for you concerns the VAT increase (return to normal levels) implemented on 1st January 2010. I agreed to buy a Polo 1.6 TDI CR SE on 13 Dec from a VW dealership. This car had already been ordered...

VAGabomb

Does the latest 1.6 diesel engine in the Audi A3 and VW Golf have a belts or chain cam? It seems to me that aside from the risk of a belt failure, the fuel savings over a 3-year period are negated by the...

Volks will torque

I have an 2007 2.0 TDI DSG and have just read the following in your ‘car by car breakdown’: “Early 2.0TDI DSGs suffer from ECU programming that reduces torque from standstill so acceleration is very poor...

The 7 Year Glitch

I have just retired and would like to buy a new car that will last me at least 15 years in the price range £17,000 to £22,000 and wondered what your recommendations would be. I have been looking at Mercedes...

Nervous brakedown

I own a 2005/55 VW GTI with 22,428 miles on the clock. At 21,500 miles the ESP light came on. I called my local ex VAG service technician to undertake a diagnostics check, which confirmed the ABS unit...

DSGd of Plymouth writes

I bought a new VW Golf plus 1.9SE TDI and was persuaded to have the car with a DSG automatic gearbox after reading the Golf brochure that stated "the DSG gearbox offers a genuine alternative to a manual...