My photocard driving licence is about to expire - is the paper licence valid in the meantime?

I have received a renewal application for my photocard driving licence which has now expired. However, my paper licence does not expire until 2015. Am I legally allowed to drive on this paper licence or...

How should we store our Mitsubishi Colt and BMW 3 Series for three months?

In January 2011 my wife and I are taking an extended holiday in New Zealand. We will be away from mid January until early April. We have two cars, a Mitsubishi Colt 1.0 petrol and a BMW 320d Touring. What...

Where can I get a user manual for my Vauxhall Zafira?

I recently bought a 2003 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 and it came with no user manual. Do you know where or how I could get hold of one?

I bought a cheap Ford Mondeo which broke down - does the dealer have any responsibility?

I bought a 1999 Ford Mondeo 1.8i two weeks ago for £895 from a dealer. I was told it would be serviced and, for them, safety was paramount and that I would not have a problem with this car. At first I...

Who can unlock my Honda Accord's mobile telephone hands-free system?

I recently bought a Honda Accord 2007 2.2 CDTi Sport and cannot use the hands-free telephone, as it says the system is locked. I tried contacting the previous owner but it turns out it was a lease vehicle...

Is it safe to buy an Alfa Romeo Giulietta pre-reg from an online company?

I'm considering selling my W-reg Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed (owned from new and a sheer joy) for a new Giulietta. There's a firm on the web which is offering more than £2000 off dealer list price, and although...

Can the Toyota Hilux's towing capacity be increased?

Can you modify the Hilux to be able to increase its towing capacity above 2250kg?

Hippy hippy shake-up

hip, hip, hooray. The despicable, rip-off stealth tax on property HIPS scheme is being abolished by Cameron and partners. I had one done when we wanted to sell. The inspector spent all of five minutes...

Comforting thoughts?

I have had a Citroen C1 for the last year, but am now looking for a slight upgrade that will provide a more comfortable ride without burning a hole in my pocket. I have been looking at the new Ka and Clio....

Alloyed invasion

I bought my 2007 Ford Focus Cabriolet 2 two years ago (yes, the roof was leaking and Ford repaired it before I took it home) and I am very happy with it. But the two-tone alloy wheels are starting to blister....

You guest it

I read recently of some drivers having difficulty in getting temporary car insurance cover for family members visiting from overseas. As my own insurer would not even discuss my requirements outside 30...

Sublime

Last year I sought your advice on buying a Jaguar XF. You advised me to wait until I could afford the 3-litre version. I recently took delivery of a 3-litre portfolio and want to say thankyou, thankyou,...

Ridiculous

On the 23rd April I purchased a Jaguar XF Portfolio model at a cost of nearly £44,000. I have now covered approximately 700 miles and I find that the ride is very hard and not at all acceptable. The standard...

Low level lighting

To add to the discussion regarding daytime lights, I used to drive with front foglights on, but recently a Police car drove up beside me at traffic lights and the officer asked why I had my lights on as...

A humping we will go

I have just finished reading the article "Green Mean & Clean" by Judith Woods and it occurred to me that the Millbrook Proving Ground could be used to demonstrate the effect that the ubiquitous speed bumps...

Separation

I have a 2004 Renault Scenic and am unable to remove one of the front alloy wheels due to the centre being welded to the brake drum. I have tried Plus Gas and hammering the rear of the wheel without success....

Blinking Nuisance

My pet hate is indicators flashing in my eyes when waiting at traffic lights, especially on cold, wet British winters nights. Nothing worse. Especially cars or vans with worn out old lamps that are almost...

Disenfranchised

I still enjoy our long and short distance driving, and have patronised BMW since the 1980s. However, the last year with our local franchise dealer has become somewhat fraught. It may be due to my age and...

….and son

My son is soon to go into business for himself and will need a vehicle with room for carrying samples, but one that can be used for the family at weekends. It also needs to be reasonably economic. He saw...

The wheel reason is…

Having previously enjoyed an Audi A4 2.7TDI (190BHP) Multitronic and returned an average fuel consumption over 25,000 miles of 43.5 MPG, which pretty much matched the manufacturers data, I recently changed...

Right key, wrong keyhole

You recommend running at higher revs to help a DPF to regenerate. I drive a Volvo V70 AWD 2.4d. At 2,000 rpm I travel at 60 mph. At 2,300 rpm I travel at 70 mph. How do you suggest I exceed the speed limit...

The Shining

The Highway Code states that: “You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced…..You may also use front or rear fog lights but you must switch them off when visibility improves.” What then...

Smiles per gallon

My daughter-in-law will very shortly be choosing another company car. Her current car is a Ford Focus 1.8 diesel (I think). However, she is now considering a hybrid because of VED band A zero tax. Her...

Bumping up the costs

Has anyone ever done the CO2 calculations on speed bumps? If you decelerate and accelerate (even be it sensibly) there is a CO2 implication in the extra fuel and brake wear (presumably CO2 is generated...

Drivetalk

Recently I was stopped by an unmarked police car and accused of using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. In fact my Peugeot has built-in handsfree and in any case my phone was in my pocket and certainly...

Sound bite

For the past two years I have carried out the routine servicing of my wife’s 2003 BMW MINI Cooper which has covered 15,500 miles from new. When preparing the car for the MOT Test I noted that the original...

I have a BMW 320d SE first registered November 2002, that I bought second hand from a BMW dealer in 2006. The aircon pump was about to fail a month ago, picked up by my estimable mobile mechanic and he...

Automatic reaction

I have recently bought an 2002 Golf Automatic and have gathered that you advocate driving with the left foot for the brake. Will you please explain why?

Uncover operation

Is this a situation you have heard of? A driver is stopped by police who say his car is uninsured. He is given 7 days to produce documents. He then discovers his policy had lapsed in October 2009. No renewal...

High rider

I am looking to replace my VW Polo and would be grateful for your advice on the best small car with zero road tax I have been thinking about the Toyota Aygo. My driving is mainly around the town and I...

Contact breaker

I'm a motorcyclist who likes to make eye contact with drivers waiting at junctions to ensure that I've been seen. However, lots of front side windows are (illegally) heavily tinted. You recently described...

Misses hatcher

I wondered if you provide some advice. I plan to replace my 2005 BMW Mini Cooper. It has been back and forth from the garage with various faults and it cost £450 to get it through an MOT last year. I would...

Doing it in private

Regarding the email from MU in Saturday's HJ column, what is a "private dealer" please? I thought private car sales are exempt from consumer rights protection.

Bound and gagged

Further to your recent correspondence about poor mpg experienced by owners of Hyundai i10s, like others I am unable to obtain anywhere near the advertised mpg. Since last September when I purchased the...

Eh? Eh?

I read your answer to an AA member in Saturday's Telegraph dated 8 May who commented about their renewal quote. Although some time has now passed, I thought it would be useful to point out that we are...

Works car

I commute daily to London from Southampton by car and currently drive a 6-year-old 1.6 petrol Peugeot 307. Unfortunately it has recently become unreliable, costly to run and expensive on repairs. Could...

Reverse gear

Your correspondent FM asked what is the best driving technique to use with Honda's i-Shift. In my experience with a Jazz, bought last November to replace a Jazz CVT-7, there is no best way. This electronic...

Piping hot

Please can you advise? My 1999T Volvo S80, bought new, now with 54,000 miles, developed a faulty lambda sensor. While removing it the Volvo dealer broke the collar in which it was attached to the exhaust...

No fuel like an old fuel

Several weeks ago, I accidentally put 20 litres of unleaded into my 9 year old, 93,000 mile 1.9D Renault Kangoo. I immediately filled the rest of the tank with diesel (about 35 litres) and ran the car...

Clever Tever

I just thought I'd let you know that I've also had a Teves Mk 60 ESP failure. Having read the forum on honestjohn I noted that I met the 'criteria' (i.e, under 5 years old, under 60, 000 and full main...

Glowing report

I own a Mercedes C220CDI and at the last service I was advised that 3 glowplugs need replacing. A price was quoted but I was advised that if the plugs were difficult to remove or broke in the process the...

Can Fusion?

I am puzzled why you, and other reviewers, are so reluctant to recommend Ford Fusions? I have a 2006/56 Fusion Zetec TDCi 1.6, do about 12k miles a year and, except for one fill up in the hard weather...

Advanced and be counted

As promised, my experience with the IAM Drive Check 55 you recommended me to take. I received a letter within a couple of days of booking, selected a local branch and e-mailed them. It took a few days...

Size matters

I might buy a car from Car Giant. I believe you have recommended them in the past. What should I be aware of? Will they haggle on price?

Yellow trick road

I have fallen foul of one of Croydon's many enforcement cameras. It is alleged that I “stopped on a restricted bus stop / stand”. The bus stop has a single wide yellow line. I did stop to set down a passenger...

My Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 TDCI won't start. Does it have an electrical fault?

My 2004 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 TDCI won't start in the mornings. I've changed the battery twice, changed the alternator and both have been checked, no lights left on during night, but my electric windows...

What should I pay for a one-year-old Ford Titanium TDI?

Can you advise what the target price should be for a one-year-old 59-plate Ford Titanium TDI (either 1.4/1.6) diesel? I am a cash buyer and I'm being given various offers from £11,500 to £15,000.

Why has the brake booster failed in my wife's brand new Audi TT?

My wife recently purchased a brand new Audi TT 2.0TFSI Coupe. After just 800 miles, a constant hissing noise developed from around the brake pedal. We took the car into the dealer we purchased it from,...

Are Suzuki Jimnys prone to skidding in the wet?

Can anybody answer if the 2007 Suzuki Jimny is prone to skidding on a wet road surface? My wife skidded on leaving a roundabout- speed circa 15mph - and the car ended up facing the wrong way.

What should I pay for a 2007 Fiat Panda Dynamic?

I am interested in buying a 2007 Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic. I have arranged to view it and, if still interested, I will test drive it tomorrow morning. Please advise what the maximum price I should pay for...