Thanks for recommending Shell V Power fuel - I use it in my 1996 Cadillac Deville.

Having read a number of car articles in the Daily Telegraph (yes, some of us in the "Colonies" do read material from outside our borders), I noted your advice in using high-quality fuels, not just for...

The satnav in my BMW X3 doesn't accept seven digit postcodes - why?

I took delivery of a new BMW X3 in September 2011. I specified the wide screen satnav package at around £2500 and, as I had experience of using portable TomTom satnavs (with great satisfaction) for nearly...

I want a new car which is easy to pull away in - what do you suggest?

I am contemplating buying a new car as my last one had been extremely difficult for me to drive. It had a 1.2-litre engine but I could not grasp how to move off smoothly. Having frequently over-revved,...

Which offroad-capable SUV for use in India?

I have owned a Tata Safari SUV for five years and now wish to buy a new car. The car I require should have decent off road capabilities but stiffer suspension preferably, as most of the Indian state highways...

Why are low-riding recumbent bicycles allowed on our roads in poor visibility?

I experienced a very serious incident today. I was driving (with lights on) in bad weather conditions on a very wet road shaded by trees. I was not following any vehicle, and had sight of a queue of traffic...

Is the Skoda Superb a reliable purchase?

The time has come to replace our December 2006 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Elegance Estate. We are looking for something a little bigger and the car would get twice weekly run of 140 miles, mostly on the...

Why is the Suzuki Alto so cheap?

Is the Suzuki Alto a good purchase? A local dealer is selling the entry model at £5995. The MPG figures and insurance grouping appear low, is it all too good to be true?

Head gasket has failed twice on my Rover 75 - is it worth fixing again?

I'm the owner of a 2004 Rover 75 which I am reluctant to part with it. It's a great car and very comfortable. However, twice in the last four years the head gasket has failed, and I was recently presented...

Vauxhall Vivaro won't rev at start up

Vauxhall Vivaro 06 CDTI will not rev after starting engine for about 5 to 15 seconds after it has stood on the drive. Once it's running properly it is great, no problems. Have tried cleaning EGR valve...

First car for an under 25

Looking for something that will not be prohibitive for a driver under the of 25 to be insured to drive. He may turn out to be to be sole driver in about a year or so but in the meantime it needs to be...

Can I reject my rattling new VW?

I bought a brand new VW Golf in Lincoln, but at the time of supply it had no less than 5 faults that I could identify (scratched radio, loose cables in the engine, crooked gear knob, rear washer jet leakage,...

What large MPV would you recommend?

I currently have a 2003 Volkswagen Sharan 130 diesel. Bought from a year old it has been through 3 DMF's yet has only just reached 98k. I am looking to replace it and would need another larger MPV. I would...

Vulnerable air-con on Vectra

I had a new air-con radiator installed on my 08 registered Vauxhall Vectra by a specialist Air-con workshop in Shropshire. When I questioned why the existing radiator had gone so quickly, the repairman...

Air conditioning not cool?

I have completed 100,000 miles in my car and am generally pleased. A few weeks ago I noticed that the air con was not working very well. It is ok at outside temepratures up to say, 22C but over that...

Honest Vauxhall dealer in West London

Nice to know there are some honest garages out there, even when it's made easy for them to rip me off. Recently I became convinced that the shock absorbers had worn out on my Astra (2004, 75k miles),...

Replacing a SEAT Leon Cupra

I am looking to replace my 2003 SEAT Leon Cupra, budget of around £8-9k I would like similar performance and similar practicality. Mpg isnt my primary concern, but something really thirsty like the 350Z...

When's my first oil change due?

In Jan/Feb you very kindly recommended a 1.8 petrol Yeti to cover our needs. We have just taken delivery as there was a 7 month wait - we selected a few extras. My wife [her car] loves it so thank you...

V5 document doesn't show garage as a 'keeper'

On V5C the selling garage is not the listed keeper of car. It does not show any proof that the garage owns the car, but it is in garage showroom. V5 documents part 9 - 'selling your vehicle to a to a motor...

Who should accept this claim?

Took delivery of 11 plate Navara via lease company in May 2011. It had approx. 300 miles on clock. Passenger door handle was sticking, causing door to fail to shut on first two attempts to close. Decided...

My MGF won't start in the rain

I have owned my MGF for a long while but recently it will not start in the rain, so I have to shut the fuel off and turn it over - then it fires up and then quickly I have to reset the fuel stop in the...

Replacing a Corsa key

Where can I get a replacement key for a Vauxhall Corsa? Hopefully cheaper then at a main Vauxhall agent.

Buying new small car or going with a used hybrid?

The site is incredible - I`m not from the uk but it is still the most comprehensive site especially for the real mpg data. I`m looking to buy my first car, so I have 1000 questions but and managed to...

Megane or Focus?

I am after a car on a budget and wondered if you could help. I have about £7000 - £8000 and would like a car used for some mild motorway driving either petrol or diesel, no real preference, and would...

Audi A4 Diesel Manual Slowing Down in Top gear.

I recently changed the cam belt and a whole service. When I start the car 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear is fine, pickup no problem, but as soon as I engage 4th gear and 5th gear the engine slows down. I used...

Peugeot 508 or VW Passat?

I have two options: new 508 SW 2.0 HDi 163 automatic or new Passat 2.0 TDi estate DSG/ Do you have any thoughts as to which is the better choice? It seems as though the Peugeot is a more fun car to drive,...

Tappety Engine Noise

I just purchased a Audi A2 1.4 SE with 67K on the clock. There is no service history. I noticed when I drove away with it a tappety noise. It got a little louder and quicker as I accelerated however when...

What car for £12000

I shall be buying again soon, and my tick list is: 1. Space for golf clubs and trolley. 2. A superb drive. 3. Up to 10 year longevity. Desirable are: 1. Excellent performance. 2. Good reliability....

How do I find out if my Ford Mondeo has a DMF?

How do I find out if my Ford Mondeo Estate MKIII 2003 1.8 16v Petrol has a dual mass flywheel fitted.

Which family car?

I am looking for the best family car I can buy. I need it to be automatic and cost effective and safe. I've listed Peugeot 308 SW, Vauxhall Zafira, Ford Focus C-MAX. Boot space is important too. Can...

Buying a used Kia - does it have a DPF?

Does the 2010 Rio Strike 1.5 CRD diesel have a Diesel Particulate Filter, and if that's a yes, how frequently would the regeneration oil need replacing? Also, does this engine have a Dual Mass Flywheel....

What should I do about rusty hubs?

Bought a 2011 Z4 five weeks ago from main BMW dealer 75 miles away. Car has been back to local main BMW dealer once to install trim screw covers missing from door handles, also to investigate and fix vermin...

Replacing a Mk1 Jazz

I'm looking to replace my Jazz (Mk1) Sport (2006) which has been fairly good for the last 6 years (owned from new) and want something reliable, economical to run/insure, but with better acceleration and...

How much to run a Renault Clio

I am doing some research about buying a new car. I have seen a Renault Clio 1.4 16V Dynamique 2006 3dr Hatchback which has done 40,000 miles and costs £4000, does this seem reasonable? My question is...

Oil light stays on in my Beetle

My oil sensor light came on - took the car back to the garage, new sensor replaced but they still don't know what it is.

Volvo XC90 vs Peugot 5008?

What's better, XC90 roughly 2006 vs new Peugeot 5008?

Changing to a single mass flywheel?

DMF gone after 25,000 miles. Would you recommend SMF? Clutch judder in first gear from new, told it was common for this model, now wondering if it was faulty from new.

Starter motor overrun and clutch problem

Starting up from warm only, there is a lot of clatter which sounds like starter motor does not disengage soon enough. Yesterday this was accompanied by clutch failure but then after fiddling with pedal...

Buying a cheap, robust car

I live in an area where parking is incredibly scarce and tight and where bumpers tend to get scraped or scratched on an above-average basis. I'm thinking of replacing my current car, a silver MK6 1.6...

Farm tracks and low profile tyres

Have a neighbour with an A class Mercedes-Benz with low profile tyres fitted. We all live down a 250metre limestone farm road - my family think the road condition is fine (driving a Ford Transit and C3...

BMW swirl flap failure

Have you had many complaints about swirl flap failure which usually results in catastrophic engine damage? BMW of course does not admit there is a problem, but a visit to Google>BMW swirl flaps tells otherwise. Owners...

Air-con blowing hot in a 2000 Focus

My Ford Focus 2000 the AC doesn't blow cold air it blows hot. It has been recharged and it still doesn't work - what will it cost to replace it?

Replacing a V70 with a new petrol estate

We have a 2002 V70 2.4 petrol auto estate and are looking to replace it with something of similar size. The car averages 8000 miles per year and being wary of what HJ has said about diesel engines, we...

Are HID lights an MOT fail?

My car failed MOT because; "HID aftermarket kit fitted headlamp aim beam image incorrect", the garage said it couldn't be adjusted, the original lights must be fitted to pass. Are HID lights an MOT fail?...

Tricky to start my 407 Coupe

Just bought a June 2007 Peugeot 407 Coupe 2.7 Hdi Automatic with 42,000 miles. Love the car & ran perfectly driving it home (200 miles journey). Now, it is hard to start from cold & runs very rough & uneven...

Renault Scenic struggling on hills

Just bought my 1st second hand Renault Scenic she responds well and pulls away well on flat roads, but uphill it's a different story. Foot to the floor down to 2nd gear we're lucky to get 30. We live in...

9 points - cheapest car to insure?

I recently got another 3 points on my licence. I now have 9. I'm 27 with only 1 year of no claims. My current car is an Audi a4 1.9 TDI Avant (1999), which is great for fuel economy but I'm pretty sure...

Warm start problems

Earlier in 2012 I purchased a Nissan Patrol GE SE 4x4 (1998), for £3K with just 74K Miles, for farm and forestry work. It has been serviced and MOT'd. It appears to be lacking power in low revs which...

Comparison of diesel automatic gearboxes

Are there known problems with the clutch and gearboxes of these two different systems (X-Trail and Outlander)? How does the TC-SST function compared with a traditional automatic gearbox?

My C3 HDI won't start

The car will not start on the key, it turns over fine but does not fire-up. If I bump start it it starts immediatly with very little effort. Have fitted a replacement starter thinking that it might not...

Erratic Yaris speedo

The speedo has started to be erratic going from 0 to 30mph approx. The ABS light goes out when starting the engine and the car runs well enough except for the speedo fault. No work has been carried out...