Should the dealer replace my cam belt?

I bought a Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6hdi vtr+ 2 weeks ago from Arnold Clark Northwich. It's a 57 plate Picasso with 39,000 miles on the clock and I have noticed a chirping sound like the cam belt maybe slipping....

Change your oil often and it'll pay off in the long run.

I'm a devotee of regular oil and filter changes. 20,000-mile service intervals are clearly aimed at fleet operators keeping maintenance costs down and are irrelevant to many of us. I bought my 1.2-litre...

Got a PCN despite ticket machines being out of order. What can I do?

My 18-year-old daughter was on holiday in Cornwall last week and received a parking charge notice. When she parked she tried to purchase a ticket, but both machines had a digital display showing 'out of...

Why are people still text messaging whilst driving?

Recently I was a passenger in a car being driven in the outside lane, during rush hour, on a Friday evening. All three lanes of the motorway were busy with traffic moving at about 40mph. I looked across...

Why has Toyota abandoned the Yaris' digital speedo?

I have a 2006 Toyota Yaris and was disappointed to read that Toyota has since abandoned the digital speedo. It is so easy to read and, when driving abroad, you can just set it to kilometres. It's much...

Why can't people park within a single bay?

I am often dismayed at the selfish drivers who park up to half a car length from the start or end of a parking bay, thus taking up two parking spaces. If I left a note under their wiper blade saying, "In...

Great service from Tustain Motors.

My Vauxhall Vectra’s power steering pump broke down and we were towed to Tustain Motors in Berwick-upon-Tweed by an RAC contractor. Unfortunately, they were unable to obtain a replacement pump before we...

Does the Volvo XC70 diesel have a DPF, dual mass flywheel and EGR?

I am contemplating the purchase of a 2004-2007 Volvo XC70 automatic diesel. Were these vehicles fitted with DPFs, dual mass flywheels and exhaust gas recirculation valves? It will be my second car with...

Should we trade in our 100,000-mile Volkswagen Golf?

We own a 2004 Volkswagen Golf 1.9TDI automatic that has now done almost 100,000 miles. So far it has been relatively trouble-free, although it recently needed a new alternator and battery. Would you advise...

My car suddenly veered off the road and crashed - any idea why?

I was driving my one-year old Audi A3 at about 40mph on a rural road near my home when the car suddenly veered to the right, crossed the road, knocked down a telegraph pole and fell into a deep ditch....

Thanks to Volkswagen for repairing a faulty ABS sensor in my Volkswagen Touran.

I purchased a Volkswagen Touran new from Dane Motor Company in Chester just under six years ago. The warranty has, of course, long since expired. Dane has serviced the vehicle for me. Recently the ESP...

Thanks for advising left-foot braking when driving automatic vehicles.

It is rare that I use the left-foot braking advice that you give for driving automatics. However, I am sure it saved me from an accident recently when approaching a narrow bridge only to find a large HGV...

Is there a racial element to the recent spate of 'crash for cash' fraud claims?

You're quite right that the CPS (also known as the Criminal Protection Society) is useless at pursuing fraudulent insurance claims. I suspect one reason for this is that a hugely disproportionate number...

Why is my Mercedes-Benz B-Class' faulty air conditioning condenser so expensive to replace?

I have been told by my local Mercedes-Benz garage that the air-conditioning unit in my 2010 B-Class doesn't work because the condenser was damaged by a stone thrown up from the road. The original repair...

Can I expect my diesel Renault Laguna to develop expensive problems soon?

In 2009 I bought a new Renault Laguna 2.0dCi 150 Initiale 50 diesel automatic. Can you tell me whether it has a diesel particulate filter, dual mass flywheel or an exhaust gas recirculation valve fitted...

Why was my new SEAT Altea so much cheaper than the equivalent Volkswagen Golf?

I recently bought a SEAT Altea SE 1.6TDI DSG and I also looked at the equivalent Volkswagen Golf Plus. The SEAT worked out to be £4710 cheaper than the Golf. Taking into account the extras which are cheaper...

Will Volkswagen release a new Golf Plus soon?

Do you know if Volkswagen has any plans to bring out a new model of the Golf Plus? I think I read somewhere that a new model of the Golf was being introduced later this year and, if this is correct, I...

I bought a suspicious used Audi through the Audi Approved scheme - who is liable?

In January I bought a used Audi which I sourced through the Audi website, as it claimed that all vehicles have a service history check and will have a clean, completely transparent record. I have no complaints...

Why are low-profile tyres so common on modern cars?

Telegraph Motoring recently carried photographs of two high performance cars: the Jaguar E-Type and the De Tomaso Mangusta. Both clearly show sensibly-sized wheels with hefty tyres to absorb the shocks...

How can I prepare my Jeep Cherokee for a long drive with a caravan?

I used to use my 2004 Jeep Cherokee 2.8 CRD Limited to travel backwards and forwards from Exeter to Manchester. More recently we use hire cars, so the Jeep only gets used for social, domestic and pleasure...

What is a dual mass flywheel?

I am not particularly mechanical so can you explain the difference between a dual mass flywheel and a standard flywheel, the advantages of using them (if any) and why they are used if they cause so many...

Should we sell our 2010 Golf diesel before we suffer DMF problems?

We purchased a 2010 Golf 1.6TDI in September 2011 with 10,000 miles. It has now done 15,000 miles without any problems. My wife only does a low mileage and she usually keeps a car for seven or eight years....

We bought discounted cars from Orangewheels and are very pleased.

Last year I contacted www.orangewheels.co.uk about a new Golf Match TSI auto. I was passed to Dane Chester and was offered a discount 3 per cent greater than local Volkswagen dealers and a delivery of...

Is it illegal to leave children in a hot car?

Earlier today, with my car temperature gauge reading 30 degrees Celsius I saw two young boys sitting in the back seat of a Ford Ka in a supermarket car park. Their only ventilation was the two rear quarter...

Can anything be done to encourage drivers not to hog motorway lanes?

I'm becoming more frustrated by the lack of skills exhibited by some motorway drivers, who never leave their lane and make it difficult for others to overtake. If I undertake, it never fazes them, nor...

Why didn't my friend's airbag inflate during a head-on collision?

A friend of mine had a head-on collision recently. He was travelling at under 30mph and his airbag failed to inflate. A policeman who arrived at the scene told him that they don’t inflate at the speed...

My battery frequently discharges if left for a period of time - why?

I have a 2010 Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI. After leaving it locked in garage for four weeks while on holiday, I found that the battery had discharged and the car wouldn't start. I have already had the...

Why do some drivers not anticipate where other road users are?

Thank you for informing ‘RT via email’ how to drive. I have been having to deal with prats like this for years. Why does anticipation never enter into the Driving Test? Is the relationship between speed...

Can I prevent the dashboard reflecting into the windscreen of my Honda Jazz?

I have recently purchased a Honda Jazz. It is a beautiful car but when driving in bright sunshine the dashboard reflects badly on the windscreen, so badly at times that it makes driving dangerous. I have...

Is this insurance quote too good to be true?

I have been a loyal customer with the same insurance company for over 30 years, but Sainsbury’s Car insurance has given me a quote which halves my current insurer’s premium. I was brought up to believe...

You can use the Claims Regulation Unit to stop spam calls relating to accident claim compensation.

AM of Bolton complained (Compensation culture - Saturday July 21, 2012) of being plagued by phone calls from firms telling of compensation awaiting if suffering aches and pains arising from an accident....

What's the point of automatic braking?

As someone with more than 50 years driving experience I am appalled at the thought of handing over control of my vehicle to Automatic Emergency Braking. The driver is responsible for the car and should...

Why can't roads be surfaced properly?

I was recently driving along a newly resurfaced road which had loose chippings on the surface. A couple of motorbikes in front of my car were zipping stones up from their back tyres and one of the chippings...

The ESP warning light is illuminated on my Octavia vRS - will Skoda fix it?

I have a 2006 Skoda Octavia vRS. I have read that a lot of people are having the same problem as myself that the ESP light is on. Has Skoda accepted this as a fault and is it willing to fix it?

Why are timing belts used instead of chains?

Timing belts are expensive to replace, and my Golf needs one every four years. Do the manufacturers just fit them to create work for themselves or are there sound engineering reasons as to why some engines...

Can I install an engine warmer on my 2002 Volkswagen Passat?

Back in the 1970s it was possible to fit an engine warmer retrospectively by removing a frost plug and screwing in a coiled electric element, like a small electric kettle element. I understand that frost...

What do you think of the KIA Rio?

What is your opinion on the KIA Rio as opposed to the Suzuki Swift?

I agree that overtakers in the outside lane should be fully aware of traffic in other lanes.

You are very right when stating that the outside lane overtaker should be fully aware. You might have added that the inside laner has the responsibility to also look not only into his mirrors but the blind...

Clutch failed on 3-year-old Qashqai - will Nissan replace it?

My 31,000 mile 2009 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 petrol Acenta 2wd manual lacks power when climbing a hill. It has plenty of revs but no power. In addition, on a couple occasions car has slipped out of cruise when...

Why does the failure of cheap ESP modules cause serviceable vehicles to be scrapped?

My guess is that the price out of the factory for ESP modules is not much more than a few pounds. Presumably there is no real competition for replacement units because of trade restrictions and practice....

MOT emissions failure - how do I fix it?

My 2001 Polo just failed MOT on emissions, high on everything. The mechanic advised I should replace the manifold cat, the standard cat and the lambda sensors. Quote for parts alone is over £700. I'd like...

Peugeot 406 showing faults P1138, P0101 and P0191.

I own a Peugeot 406. The engine cut out whilst driving; fault was diesel pressure sensor. Replaced sensor. Engine diagnostic light on again and the car has gone into limp mode. Took it to the garage. Codes...

Is an extended warranty worth it on a Fiat 500?

Is an extended warranty worth taking up - includes parts but not labour for two years for £445.

How long should the glow plug light stay on for?

When turning on the ignition first thing how long should the glow plug light stay on before it goes off. Does the length of time it takes, or doesn't take, indicate a problem?

Troublesome automatic gearbox on my Grand Modus

I have an issue with automatic gear box on my Renault Grand Modus 1.6 (2008). Have driven autos for over 20 years, mainly Japanese cars so this is my first Renault. I find that the Modus drives more like...

Do I need a spare to drive on the road?

I've been browsing answers and I'm interested to note you do not need a spare tyre to pass the MOT test. However, I seem to remember you must have a spare to drive lawfully on a day-to-day basis. Is that...

I need a small auto for my elderly parents

I need a small automatic car for my 79 & 91 year old parents. It must have with all round parking sensors & good visibility, as well as wide doors and high seats without high sides for easy access, for...

Used Corsa head gasket failure after just a few months.

I purchased a Vauxhall 2007 Corsa 1.2 Club for £3650 on the 14th July this year and now the head gasket has gone. The dealer only gave 30 days warranty on the engine and gearbox. Trading Standards have...

Warning P0340 on my Agila

I have an Agila petrol 1.2 with approx 35000 miles on clock. How can I tell whether timing chain needs replacing or whether it is a tensioner fault or cam sensor fault? Diagnostic code is 0340 but car...

Wheel wobble after hitting a pothole

I have kind of a minor wobble in my steering, this happens at any speed slow or fast. It is a small vibration and steering wheel moves a small amount (2-5cm) from left to right or right to left. This...