Should I buy the current KIA Sorento or wait for the new model?

I have a 2008 KIA Sorento XS with 47,000 on the clock. I am looking to change, but have found that KIA cannot provide me with a new KX2 demonstrator to test drive. I am also somewhat wary of buying a Sorento...

What do you think of tyre repair kits?

Have you any views on the effectiveness of tyre repair kits? For example, how far and fast can one drive after using the product, and is any special skill needed? My own car, a 2012 Toyota Yaris, has such...

Which model of Range Rover Evoque should we buy?

We are a retired couple doing only about 6000 miles a year, but we love the look of the Range Rover Evoque. Which one should we choose? It would be a manual by preference with five doors but we don't really...

Are electric vehicles really 'pollution free'?

Please could you explain to me why the electric car is deemed to be ‘pollution-free’? Charging a re-chargeable battery is a very inefficient process and the electricity used to re-charge it is subject...

What could be causing a transmission fault on my 2005 Volkswagen Touareg?

I have a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg 2.5TDI with 30,000 miles, which has developed a transmission fault. Moving slowly up a gradient, the transmission seems to wind up with a loud clicking from near-side rear....

I want to thank Honda for helping me with a service contract supplied from a Honda dealer.

I wrote to you some time ago regarding the problem of purchasing a three-year service contract from a Honda dealer who subsequently ceased trading. Initially Honda (correctly) stated that it wasn't their...

Which hatchback could I replace my MG ZR with?

My beloved 8-year-old MG ZR with 29,000 on the clock has been written off and I'm seeking a replacement 1.2 or 1.4, 3/5-door hatchback, made in Britain, up to £11,000 new or pre-reg. I've seen a Micra,...

Is the automatic gearbox in my Citroen C3 Picasso faulty?

Four month ago I bought a new Citroen C3 Picasso Exclusive and I must admit that it is an excellent car for my needs. I have a disability so appreciate the automatic box and cruise control. However, the...

Why won't my wife receive the full value of her written-off Mazda 323?

My wife's car was a 1995 Mazda 323 with 70,000 miles with FSH and in good condition. She loved it, put a personalised number plate on it and had intended to use it until she is too old to drive. Now it...

Does my Hyundai i30 really need its coolant and pollen filter changing at three years old?

I have a three and a half-year-old Hyundai i30 diesel with 60,000 on the clock. The franchised dealer who services the car is telling me that the coolant and pollen filter both need replacing at a cost...

Did speed cushions and potholes damage the insides of my Ford Fiesta's tyres?

The last time I took my Fiesta for a service at Dagenham Motors, Edgware I mentioned there was a slight vibration on the front wheels at 70mph. They later advised that the wheels were buckled and that...

Why won't my Citroen C4 Picasso's satnav accept 7-digit postcodes?

About 18 months age I bought a Citroen C4 Picasso with an embedded satnav. Imagine my frustration when I found that it would only accept a partial postcode (the first five digits). That only gets me to...

Why won't my Honda CR-V do any better than 28 miles to the gallon?

I drive a 2003 Honda CR-V with 48,000 miles on the clock. I cannot achieve more than 28 miles to the gallon. I have tried four tanks of Shell V Power and still no improvement. It's proving expensive.

Does my daughter's Mercedes-Benz 350 CLK really need its transmission fluid replaced?

My daughter has a 2006 Mercedes-Benz 350 CLK auto with relatively low mileage. It's time for its £355 annual service from the main dealer, who has also recommended a transmission fluid check/replacement...

Where can I sell my 1996 Saab 9000?

I have a 1996 Saab 9000 CSE 2.0 Eco 5-door manual that I wish to sell. It has 165,000 miles on the clock and a full service history. It's green with pale beige leather seats, has one year's MOT but is...

Where can I get winter tyres and wheels for my Jaguar XF?

I recently changed from a BMW 530D, for which I had a set of alloys with cold weather tyres, to a Jaguar XF 2.2D and need a suitable set of wheels and cold weather tyres. The XF came on 245/40 R19s (it...

Should my son give his credit card details to a motorcycle hire company following an accident?

I read your FAQs about credit hire vehicles but would appreciate further advice. My son's motorbike was knocked over whilst it was parked. The car driver has admitted liability and there is one witness....

What should I replace my Saab 9-3 Vector Estate with?

I have driven a Saab 9-5 Vector Estate 2.3t from new since 2002. I love the car and have put off changing it because I cannot replace it with another. What do I replace it with? Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi?...

Do you know of any problems with the seats in the Peugeot 207?

My partner is currently suffering with lower back pain and finds our 2006 Peugeot 207 particularly uncomfortable. When we travelled back from Mallorca recently, she had no problems with the transfer coach...

Can you recommend a small 4x4 vehicle for use in snow?

My wife and I have recently moved house and need to consider whether or not to exchange our MX-5 for a small 4x4. We now live on an unadopted road and will be well within the snow line if future winters...

Why do other drivers tailgate me when I drive at the speed limit?

I conscientiously try to stick to the speed limits, but this seems to annoy many drivers who harass me by tailgaiting and making obscene gestures. Can you tell me where I can get one of these licences...

Is my Volkswagen Golf's 257,000-mile-old clutch a record?

I drive a 2002 Volkswagen Golf TDi PD. It's quite an old car, but it suits me. I have done 257,000 miles and its still on the original clutch. Would this be a record?

What can we replace our 2005 Golf and Fiesta with?

We own a 2005 Volkswagen Golf TDI 130 estate with 67,000 miles and a 2005 Fiesta Style Climate with 45,000 miles, both with full dealer service history in silver, in excellent condition. Now in retirement,...

Can you recommend a petrol-engined four-seat coupe?

We are about to change cars and would like a good-looking coupe four-seater with comfort and a bit of luxury, petrol engine and manual gearbox. I am 80 and my wife is 70 and nowadays the majority of our...

Checking auto box oil on Jaguar XK

Information on your website for the Jaguar XK 1996-2006 model states that there is "no easy means of checking 5-speed auto box oil level or refilling it”. Jaguar says 'sealed for life', but no oil changes...

Buying a used small car - what would you recommend?

I am a single female and wish to buy a used, small four door car with possible all-wheel drive option. I cover about 10,000 miles per year, but want something reliable, with low running costs and lots...

MINI power steering pump failure - Should the dealer pay?

The power steering pump (PSP) has failed on my wife's 2004 MINI. I understand that this is a common problem and my local dealer has refused to offer any goodwill payment as the work was carried out by...

Buying a spare wheel for a Fiesta

I have just purchased a Ford Fiesta and as you are probably aware you don't get a spare wheel. The tyres on it now are 195/50 R16 and was wondering what size spare I should buy?

Can I fit non run flats to my BMW?

Is it ok to fit non run flat tyres to my 2009 BMW? I want to fit four winter tyres.

Do I ever need to replace the chain cam?

My 2008 Volkswagen Golf has a chain cam, which the dealer says will last the lifetime of the 1.6 engine. Is this true?

Nissan Micra locking itself

My friend has a 2004 Nissan Micra, but the driver’s door locks itself. It has now got so bad that she has to climb over the passenger’s seat to get in and out. She has tried to use the remote button on...

Cleaning alloy wheels

I used my Mazda 6 for a journey back from the continent and during the trip one disk pad wore out. There is now a deposit of steel powder on the alloy wheel which I can't remove. Can you suggest how?

Buying a used car - how can I check for accident history?

Seen a three year old Volkswagen Golf with low mileage. Can you tell me what I need to do to check it hasn’t been in an accident?

Noisy Ford Mondeo - what's the cause?

My 2008 Ford Mondeo is making a humming noise at the back. The frequency of the noise increases with speed. Tyres are Goodyear 215/55 R16s. Is this road noise or something more serious?

Steel or space saver?

Rather than the 'gunk' kit for punctures I would much prefer a steel spare or space saver wheel. I own a 2008 Ford Fiesta with 195/45/R16s. What are the size options for steel rims?

Ford Mondeo juddering in 4th and 5th gear

My 2005 Ford Mondeo is starting to judder under acceleration in 4th and 5th gear. It is also making a screeching noise; any idea what’s going wrong?

Buying car for long commute - what do you recommend?

I am looking for a comfortable car with good fuel economy for my 80-mile commute on motorway. I have £12,000 to spend; what do you recommend?

Driver's door won't lock on Peugeot 306

The driver door on my 1995 Peugeot 306 does not lock under central locking. I can lock it manually, but when locking the rest of the car from the passenger door the central locking enables and immediately...

Buying a used car for £8k - what should I get?

I have £8000 to spend on a used car and have been toying with a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg, with 92,000 miles on the clock. However, my friends say this will be a bad idea as the running and repair costs...

Honda Civic juddering at low revs

Our 2006 Honda Civic 1.8i has started to judder when pulling away at normal revs. It happens at 1500rpm (six miles per hour) but is not noticeable at higher revs. Does this indicate the clutch needs replacing...

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer or Ford C-Max?

I'm looking to buy an automatic MPV, but am undecided on what used car to buy. The choice is between the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.4i turbo or the Ford Grand C-Max Powershift. As I do not do many miles...

Rear seat tags - what are they for?

Can you tell me what are the tags for on the rear seats of a 2006 Vauxhall Astra?

ABS/ESP problems with Ford Focus

My Ford focus has just developed an intermittent fault with the ABS/ESP warning lights. The symbols illuminated continuously whilst driving, even though there’s no reason for them to come on. The car...

What's the best diesel fuel?

With all the trouble that is being reported with diesel waxing up this year - what diesel do you recommend?

Engine cut out on motorway - what's the cause?

When accelerating to overtake, the engine of my Jaguar X-Type 2.0 diesel cuts out without warning. The power steering dies and the engine stalls, forcing me onto the hard shoulder to restart the car. The...

Ford Focus - which wheels offer the best ride?

I own a 2009 Ford Focus and I understand that you recommend 16-inch wheels for a more comfortable ride. I am an elderly driver and am not bothered about the looks, so want to replace my 17-inch wheels....

Best small used car for £4000?

I want to buy a small car for my daughter. I have a budget of £4000 and she’ll need it for rural and city driving. I’m considering the Honda Jazz, but can you recommend anything else?

Winter tyres - any recommendations?

I have sourced a spare set of 18-inch alloys for my Hyundai iX35 (did consider 17s, but found them hard to source). I now need to sort out the winter tyres - size is 225/55/18/98H - for which there are...

Car has outstanding finance - should I still buy it?

I’ve found a used car I really like, but it still has outstanding finance. Should I buy it or walk away?

Buying a car for high mileage

I have a job which requires 30,000 miles of driving per year. I have £11,000 to spend and have no family, so am considering the Honda CR-Z - with the hope that the hybrid would allow a reasonable return...