Running a Ferrari

I own a Porsche Boxster however have fancied a Ferrari for some time - a 355 or 360.What would be the best way to own one for say 6 months and doing about 6k miles. Is it possible to lease one or contract...

Car went into Limp mode due to Turbo overboost and also problem with temp gauge

I took the car to a ford dealer and connected it to a computer and they informed me that the car went into limp mode due to a turbo overboost, though when I drove the car, the temperature gauge began to...

Really bad smell coming from exhaust

Really bad smell coming from my exhaust. Have replaced fuel filter, EGR valve and exhaust flex (fumes were coming into the cabin but replacing flex cured this) and emissions are perfect but still bad smell....

Speed Camera detection in France

I have SatNav that warns of fixed site speed cameras, including those in France. I have been told that the French have (sneakily) made that illegal as of 3rd Jan this year. Is this true? (I wouldn't put...

Breaking down abroad

My Golf TSI DSG will be three-years-old in May, with 19,000 miles. I am 73 and like my first automatic, but I am concerned it may fail. Each summer we drive to Greece - if the gearbox failed away from...

Trouble removing glow plugs from a Zafira

I am having difficulty starting my Zafira when cold so I thought I would check my glow plugs. Unfortunately they are extremely tight! Garage friend has suggested having a go at them and if it goes wrong...

What tyres for a Discovery?

Can you suggest tyres for my Discovery 3 please? I have read Pirelli Scorpion ATR and Vredestein Xtreme are good. My current tyres are Nexen 255/60R 18H nearing the end of their life. I do very little...

Oil in the water

Ive discovered a large amount of oil in my water reservoir. My heaters also stopped working at the same time. I've been told the cooler is to blame and needs replacing plus a full flush. The mechanic...

Diesel engine fuel flush - was it necessary?

My wife's Clio Extreme dCi 86 had its first MOT today, and the garage, without our authority, carried out a fuel flush on it, charging us £20. This they said was to clean the engine of biofuel deposits,...

Is this DPF failure linked to my injectors?

I bought my 57 plate Passat 11 months old from main dealer, a Volkswagen demonstrator, serviced by them since. I have had major problems since day 1: Almost all major components have been replaced, ie...

Buying a family estate

I'm after a family estate which will see my loved Golf mk4 GTI being sold, and the estate being our sole car. I can't decide between an Alfa 159 2.4L JTDM sportwagon and a Mondeo TDCI (new shape) Titanium...

Sticking spark plug

My Focus has a stuck spark plug which is causing a misfire.

Keyfob batteries need replacement

My remote locking on my 2007 Subaru has failed. Can I replace the batteries in the keys without paying the dealer an arm and a leg?

I need an auto without a dual mass flywheel

I am looking to purchase a nearly new automatic family car to last several years but would like to avoid anything with a DMF. What automatics are fitted with a DMF?

Carpet and upholstery not up to scratch

I have a base model Note which I use for carrying wood and rubbish etc. as well as passengers. Why is the quality of carpet provided such rubbish? It is no more than a piece of felt. All sawdust and...

Astra blowing cold air

I have a 51 plate 1600 Astra - the heater's blowing cold all the time.

Should I sell my Volkswagen with DSG now?

I bought a Golf Match DSG as a retirement car and thought it would be trouble free motoring for next ten years. Really concerned following recent article in Telegraph about DSG failure. Should I get...

Best time to change car?

I do about 7000 miles a year and am now retired. When is the best time to replace my Landrover Freelander to achieve the best optimum financial outcome(i.e.running costs and buying costs combined)? I...

Parking fine at motorway services

I have received an over stay parking fine from the services at South Mimms of £90, reduced to £60 if paid early. I find these charges to be extortionate and would pay a more realistic sum £10 as I was...

Ford Focus speedo problem

I have a 2000 Ford Focus 1.8. When the engine has warmed up the speedo stops working for 5-20 miles, while the speedo isn't working the odometer and radio don't work properly and the engine loses power. Also,...

I need a spare for my Avensis

Just purchased a used (2009) Totota Avensis. No spare tyre, only an emergency kit. There is provision for a full spare tyre, so should I purchase a spare wheel and tyre? I don't want an emergency wheel/tyre. I...

Polo returning poor economy.

I worked out my Polo was only getting 37.5 mpg – that’s mostly a 6 miles straightforward run to work and back , no real stopping , and I travel against the traffic. I’ve been driving 20 years, my car...

A first car for an older driver

I have a friend who plans to start to drive but she is not a teenager. What would you recommend as a first car, to be cheap to buy and insure? A used car is in mind as budget is limited.

Windscreen wiper problem with Fabia

I have a Sept 2007 registered series 1 Skoda Fabia Bohemia. The front windshield wipers will only very occasionaly sweep once regardless of switch position selected, windscreen washer does not work to...

Display of tax disc

Is there a legal requirement to display a tax disc in the lower near-side corner of the windscreen? I have received a fixed-penalty notice for 'Tax-disc obscured' when it was in full-view on the TOP near-side...

2005-2006 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI Reliability

I would like to ask you about the reliability of The MK2 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI. I know that they are great overall, but I would like to know what you think about the mechanical and electrical reliability...

Video loop recording iPhone app

You printed a letter form PF of Purley who informed us of the video loop camera he installed (an SVS 100 GPS). Your readers may like to know of an iPhone app called iCarBlackBox that costs £0.69p. With...

Torque settings for Audi A3 clutch

I need to know what the torque settings are on Audi A3 2003 fly wheel and clutch plate.

Which tyres for an MX5?

I used to have Avon tyres on my MX-5 and I am currently arguing with my garage who, when I thought they were directly replacing, actually put Federal tyres on there, which I wasn't happy with. They...

Jeep Cherokee missed recall

I own a 2004 Jeep Cherokee 2.5 turbo diesel. Recently the engine siezed due to a remote engine oil filter hose separating, causing loss of engine oil. I have since discovered that a recall was issued...

Which petrol should I buy?

I have a high performance car and recently read an internet article regarding an extensive test for the best fuel. Surprisingly, Tesco 99octane came out on top marginally beating the other two well known...

Best new car to last a long time

Hi. I know nothing of cars but I want to buy a good used diesel automatic to last for many years. I don't care about buying the latest greatest model every year or two and I just want the best chance of...

Frozen gear stick in the cold

I purchased a secondhand Renault Scenic MPV in 2010 (manufactured in 2007). Overall it works fine except for the gearstick. If the weather gets cold, particularly if it is minus 3 or below, and if I...

Buying my first UK car

I am looking to buy my first car in the UK (Northern Ireland), I would prefer to buy second hand and can spend around £5000. I work as a vet so will be driving long distances and need to carry a reasonable...

What to expect from a Grand Vitara XL7

I bought an XL7 5 Door new in Oct 2005 (old model). Now at 70k miles I'm delighted with it in all respects - only fault is the CD player has a jammed disc, and 4x alloys pitted. Both issues replaced by...

Do I need to replace my cam belt?

My Saab is due its annual service - 4 years. According to the service schedule it is due a timing belt change at 72,000 miles / 4 years. My car has covered 47,000 miles from new and has been dealer...

Should I buy an Infiniti G37?

Visited an Infiniti agent to consider a G37. Because they are rare/can't be "pigeonholed" like Merc E, XF etc equivalents, they appeal. Price new circa £42k. A used 6 month old G37 Premium S, with under...

Should I get my cam belt changed?

Is it really necessary to have the Volkswagen scheduled (4 year or 40K) timing belt changed on my EOS? It has done just 10,700 miles from new.

Suspension options

I am thinking of buying a new E-Class Exec SE. There is an option (nil cost) of 'comfort' suspension. I am seeking a smooth comfortable ride. What is the difference between that and the standard suspension...

Left indicator turns itself on

My left hand indicator keeps coming on randomly and is getting pretty anoying. Can anyone help or have they experienced this problem before. I drive a Vauxhall Vivaro.

Downsizing from a Golf

We have decided that it is time to change our Golf 1.9 TDI - a great car. We have a budget of around £10K; we do about 15K miles a year, very little of which is urban. Other than another Golf, we thought...

What engine capacity?

I am looking to buy a 58 Qashqai. I do about 15,000 miles per year. I go to Bristol - a round trip of approx 220 miles - usually weekly. Is the 1.5 diesel OK for this or should I look at the 2.0 diesel?

Small/ medium automatic for wheelchair user

I am disabled and have to use a wheelchair. I need an automatic with enough space to carry a folding wheelchair and still be able to use the rear seats. I will have to buy used (4-6 years old) but want...

307 blowing lots of bulbs

My daughter owns a Peugeot 307 and it gets through light bulbs like they are going out of style. Headlights, rear lights etc. I know other owners with the same problem but it is not restricted to this...

Buying a new small car – what would you recommend?

My mother is looking to replace her BMW 320D Touring with a smaller car, maybe something in the Polo/Golf size and now she does fewer miles, maybe petrol. She would have in the region of £14k to spend...

Buying back my company car?

My company car is a 58 reg Audi A4 Avant Multitronic 140 SE tdi which I've had from new and we have covered 43,000 enjoyable miles together. When the car is 4 year old, next November, I hope to have...

High performance car, high performance fuel.

I am purchasing an Audi S4 2005 model - will the car run on standard unleaded or should/must I use super unleaded or V-Power? If I have an option will I get more mpg with the higher octane petrol? Are...

Downsizing our cars

We would like to replace: 1. My wife's Volkswagen Beetle 01 plate that was bought last year - as it consumes a lot of petrol! She only does school runs and about an eight mile run to her clinic. I had...

Better car for the snow?

I like driving my BMW 320d Touring. But it's not good in snow. Which car in the same price range is better in the snow/ice and Veras good to drive ?

Space for ten

I currently have a VW transporter shuttle that seats nine. We have another baby on the way, and we need a vehicle (as unlike a minibus as possible) that will seat the eight children. I noticed Nissan...