Recovery firm wants to charge me £138 - should I pay?

My 10 year old Smart Forfour lost its oil while driving recently. I stopped immediately and arranged for recovery to my local garage with my recovery provider. After a 10 day wait for a replacement sump...

Accelerator problems with Toyota Avensis

I have had some accelerator problems with my 2002 Toyota Avenis 1.6 petrol. When the car is cold the accelerator jumps massively during gear changes, specifically when I engage the clutch. The revs can...

Where's the oil dipstick on the Volvo C70?

My girlfriend has recently inherited a 2011 Volvo C70 D3, but neither of us have been able to locate the oil dipstick. Does it exist on this model, or is it an electronic dipstick?

What's the best family car for £3k?

I need to buy a family car on a £3000 budget. The car will replace my old Jaguar XJ, but it must be practical and comfortable, with a nice cabin. What do you recommend?

Can you recommend a comfortable car for long trips?

I do approximately 21,000 miles a year, which includes a two hour drive to work. So, as you might imagine, I want to buy a comfortable car as my current Peugeot RCZ is too uncomfortable for my back. What...

What's the best anti-theft device for the Defender?

I have a Land Rover Defender and want add an anti-theft device. Without spending a fortune, what is the best deterrent?

How much should I pay for a used Range Rover Sport?

I've been offered a 2010 Range Rover Sport V6 diesel. It's a well maintained car with 91,000 miles and one owner. How much should I pay for the vehicle? I'm thinking no more than £20,000...

Buying a used Mazda 5 - which model is best for £6k?

We have decided to buy a used Mazda 5 and you recommend the 1.6 diesel. Unfortunately our budget is £6000, which wouldn't get us that particular model. With our budget which of the other Mazda 5s are...

Petrol estate cars - which is the most economical?

I am about to replace my 2009 Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI. I want to buy another (used) estate car, but move away from diesel. Any suggestions?

Faulty SEAT Ibiza - am I entitled to a refund?

Three months ago I bought a 2011 SEAT Ibiza Cupra 1.4 TSI with 180PS. Since then I have noticed that the car uses a lot of oil. About a litre every 1000 miles to be exact. The garage I bought the car...

Is the Nissan Qashqai any good in the snow?

My Land Rover Freelander will go up and down our steep, potholed lane in four-inches of snow, with standard road tyres and with no problem. Will the Nissan Qashqai be able to do this, with four-wheel drive?...

Why is my Panda's airbag warning light on?

I have a 2004 Fiat Panda and the 'airbag failure warning message came up with both 'red' and 'yellow' airbag images illuminated. The car has had the errors cleared by the dealership, but the message came...

Need a large and comfortable automatic - any suggestions?

I currently drive a BMW 318i Touring with a manual gearbox, but am struggling to fit into the car and use the pedals. I would prefer a more upright driving position, with more head and leg room. Any suggestions?...

Need a small car that can carry my golf clubs

I want to buy a new small car, which is large enough to accommodate my golf clubs. Ideally the car would be 1800mm in width including wing mirrors to fit into my garage. I'd like the car to have five...

Seat Leon FR 2.0TSI - is it reliable?

I was put off a Skoda Octavia 1.8tsi due to the potentially expensive oil consumption issues associated with the engine. I would now like to buy 2011 Seat Leon FR 2.0TSI. Is this engine reliable and or...

Buying a first car - i10 or Picanto?

I am looking for a first car for my wife. She can only drive an automatic. I have decided we definitely want a proper torque converter auto. The front runner is the Kia Picanto. Our budget is up to £5000...

Do seven-seater hybrids exist?

I am looking to get a new large family car with the space for three child car seats in the back. I am really attracted by the idea of a petrol hybrid as we only do low miles in inner London. Ideally...

Buying a replacement for my C4 Picasso

I have had two new C4 Picasso 1.6e-HDi Airdream EGS VTR+ cars over the last six years. I have found that the new models no longer have a spare wheel, plus my annual mileage has now dropped from 12000 miles...

Are all-season tyres better than winter tyres?

Are all-season tyres an effective alternative to winter tyres on snow and ice? Would Vredestein Quatrac 5 be a significant advantage over Bridgestone Dueller on a Suzuki Grand Vitara? Or would you recommend...

BMW Z4 fractured alloys - is this common?

In the 1.5 years I have had to replace five run flat tyres and three alloys because of punctures. In all cases the tyres were perfectly legal. BMW have dismissed my claim without explanation. This has...

Buying a used Skoda Octavia - should I take the plunge?

I would reakly like to buy a 2011 1.8tsi Skoda Octavia as the engine felt great. However, I am concerned about the oil consumption issue and costly piston ring fix. The car has c. 29000 miles and would...

Why does my ford Mondeo misfire?

My 2001 Ford Mondeo 2.0 petrol has developed a misfire at around 1500 - 2000rpm. Any idea what the problem might be?

Breakdown services - should I leave AA and join CSMA - Britannia Rescue?

I have received my AA renewal for Roadside, Relay and Homestart. The price quoted is £195. I have negotiated this down to £159. CSMA will provide me with the same services for £97. Should I go with CSMA?...

Radio code - where can I get one from?

Please can you help me find the radio code for my Ford Fiesta?

Is gap insurance worth it?

Is GAP insurance worth while on a new Volkswagen Match Tiguan 4motion. Or is it another PPi?

When is the best time to buy?

I want to change my car at the end of Feb or beginning of March. I will buy a low-mileage one year old car or a demo car. What is the best time to buy price wise?

I need to replace the tyres on my Hyundai ix35 - what do you recommend?

I will need to replace my tyres soon. Current tyres are the original Hankook Optimo K415 225/55R 18 98H. Which tyres would you recommend as replacements?

Clutch life expectancy on a Mitsubishi L200 - how long?

I own a L200. Leased from new, 5 year lease, 3 year warranty. at 27000 and less than 2 years old the Clutch has gone and needs replacing. Dealership says new clutch required at £900 as it's a wear and...

Why does my car take so long to heat up?

The temperate gauge on my Citroen DS3 diesel takes nine miles to reach operating temperate and on occasion has only reached 3/4 (my heaters seem to be working). When it does reach the centre of the gauge...

Rejected warranty claim - what are my options?

I bought a Lexus RX400h from a dealer 13 months ago. The car was sold with a 24 month extended warranty included as part of the deal. It is a 2005 car and has done 86,000 miles. Today I've found out the...

Direct injection and carbon build-up?

I've been considering a Lexus IS250, and my internet research has highlighted problems with carbon build-up on the intake valves of the direct injection V6. I assume as the problem is because the valves...

Grandson needs a cheap car - any suggestions?

My grandson is looking at a 10 year old Renault clio 1.2 with full service history for about £1500. The mileage is under 60,000. Would this be a good buy. If not what would you recommend?

Changing wheel size - is this a good idea?

I have received good advice about reducing the wheel size on my Kia Ceed from 17" to 15" to help ride comfort. I would be grateful to know if doing this has a good chance of reducing road noise? It's...

Alternative to Golf SV - what's out there?

My current '04 Golf 5 has come to the end of its time at 151,000 miles. We quite like the look of the new Golf SV 1.6 diesel which we can get locally for about £21,500 and about £1,500 p/ex. Is there...

Why is my Jaguar X-Type using so much water?

Mu Jaguar X-Type has started using lots of water. Any idea why?

which of these or an alternative?

Which would you recommend, Qashqai dci 130 or ASX 1.8 diesel? 10k annually 3.5k of which is towing 1300 kg caravan? PcP , 3year term (haven't got stuck in 35 years of caravanning so don't think 4x4 is...

CR-V - new clutch at 24K miles acceptable?

The clutch on our September 2012 CR-V has just failed - no warning (e.g. slipping), just a complete failure. Honda UK won't fix under warranty, claiming wear and tear and the prospect of a £640 bill. We...

Broken car after 2 days of owning it - what are my rights?

I just bought this car on Thursday, this is my first car I only passed my driving test on Wednesday. I bought this car for 750 it was advertised as 890 and I offered 800 for it and he came back and offered...

Why is there severe condensation inside my car overnight?

Can anyone explain why my car gets really bad condensation when parked overnight? I haven't had the car long and when i bought it it was assumed that it was because the previous owners had dogs so they...

Smaller cars with decent legroom when the front seat is all the way back - what's out there?

What can we replace our Audi A1 with that will give the kids more rear legroom ? I'm 6'4" so I always have the front seat all the way back. Looked at an Audi A3 and Volvo V40 but the rear legroom doesn't...

Dealer won't provide extended warranty documents

We purchased a used Ford Fiesta from a dealer five months ago for £5700. The extended warranty was included in price, but the dealer has never sent us the relevant documents. We've tried calling them,...

Coolant problem with Vauxhall Vectra

I have a problem with my 2005 Vauxhall Vectra C 1.9 diesel, which dumps the coolant out of the overflow tank every time I drive it. Also the temp gauge never leaves zero. I have changed the filler cap...

recommended vehicle

Hello John, I've been trying to Lease a Merc, 'B' 200 SE Auto, but after getting all sorts of false offers, delivery dates, previous models etc. I wish to know what you would recommend as a replacement...

Leg room

Do you have any advice on finding a classic car for a tall driver? I was looking at old XK120 jaguars, and was disappointed to find that at 6 foot 4 inches tall, that I would not be able to get my foot...

BMW 1 Series struggles to change gear

My BMW 116i F20 is struggling to get into any gear from neutral when the engine is cold. Once moving changing between gears is fine. The problem seems to disappear once the engine is at operating temperature....

What's wrong with my Ford Galaxy?

My 2007 Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCI has developed a noticeable whistle from the turbo. It is not a split hose, nor is the intercooler split/holed. It has been to the local Ford garage and they have identified...

Does anyone still build a three-door SUV?

I am looking to replace my three-door Suzuki Grand Vitara, which I have happily driven for eight years. Unforatunly, I cannot find any three-door SUVs. I would like to replace it with a nearly new car...

What's the best small 4x4 for £16k?

I am planning to replace my Volvo XC90 for a slightly smaller 4x4 with decent economy. My budget is £16,000 and I have been looking at the MINI Countryman, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V I like all three,...

Having clutch and speed issues with my landrover freelander 2006 td4 2.0 diesel manual

Hi, My name is David Oriedi. Am writing from Africa - Kenya. I have a landrover freelander td4 year 2006 manual. Engine capacity is 2.0 diesel. The car is currently grounded because its clutch system...

Is the new Range Rover Sport reliable?

Being concerned about spending £65,000 or more on a new Range Rover Sport in the face of past history of poor reliability, can anyone direct me to an up to date review of the newest Sports' reliability?