How should my nephew deal with this fraudulent claim?

My nephew is struggling to keep his one-man business going, has asked me for help. A couple of weeks ago he was driving into his office car park past a car, which was parked on the hatched ‘no parking’...

My Ford Focus broke down due to blocked EGR valves - am I entitled to goodwill from Ford?

On Monday 1 April 2013 my Ford Focus Titanium broke down and showed the message "Engine malfunction". The AA was unable to fix the problem and towed the car to the dealership from which I purchased it....

What is causing my Mercedes-Benz E320 diesel to smoke under acceleration?

I have a 2002 Mercedes E320 diesel automatic estate. It has done 115,000 miles and I now use mainly Shell V-Power or other brand fuel, but I have been guilty of using supermarket diesel in the past. When...

What is causing our Hyundai ix35 GDI to cut out?

We have a 20012 Hyundai ix35 1.6. In the past three days it has cut out three times whilst driving. We are worried about this because of the danger aspect. We have contacted Hyundai but they cannot see...

The clutch has failed on a used Golf I just bought - must I foot the bill for repairs?

My problem is with a used Golf that I purchased a few months ago. This was bought from a local Volkswagen franchise from which I have bought a number of cars over the years. Previously, these had been...

Does it harm our car engines to run them for a few seconds when moving the cars on the drive?

We change cars around in our drive. This takes seconds rather than minutes. According to a recent article this is doing the petrol engines no good at all. This practice has to continue, but is there anything...

Why do you not support the independent garage sector?

As an independent garage owner, I take issue with your warranties and servicing comments. To say “fiddle around and mess it up” implies the independent sector is made up of a breed of inferior technicians,...

I've bought a car which had not been repaired for an MoT - should the dealer cover 'preventative maintenance'?

Last month I acquired a cheap 12-year-old car from a small dealer with a fresh MoT certificate (with no advisories). The MoT history subsequently obtained from VOSA revealed that the car has a potentially...

Is it safe to use non-registered car rental companies abroad?

I frequently holiday abroad and have used many car hire companies with varying degrees of satisfaction. However, a friend has told me of a used care dealership that hires out cars below the hire car market...

Should I buy a used Skoda Superb diesel?

I am looking for a used Skoda Superb estate as our family car as I am 6-feet 3-inches and my teenage sons are 6-feet 5-inches and 6-feet 1-inch (and growing). We also have two Labradors to transport. The...

What is causing an engine fault alert on our Renault Scenic?

My Renault Scenic has started to intermittently display the warning message on the dash "Check Injection" with the service light. I've checked out the definition in my handbook and it says "serious engine...

Is an official record being kept of immigrant drivers in the UK?

Is any official record being kept of all the immigrants’ foreign cars at present on our roads? Are they too subject to MoT tests? One hopes the drivers have valid motor insurance, driving licence, road...

Is there an easy way of getting glow plugs out of a Mercedes-Benz E300D?

I have a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E300D, the last without any electronics. It's at 212,000 miles and still going quite well, but I have a problem when my local independent garage has to change a glow plug. They...

Do I have redress on a Subaru Impreza import from Japan that has developed a misfire?

My problem involves a Subaru Impreza that my son bought through an online Japanese importer. This is a Japanese-based outfit that brings specialist cars to the UK. He gets his cars hosted on forecourts...

Can I clarify a consumer's rights when making a private purchase?

In your reply to problems with this private purchase you stated that there are no consumer rights (I assume you meant under specific consumer legislation) against a vendor. However, law of contract does...

Which diesel pick-up should I buy?

I am considering purchasing a high spec double cab pick-up for use as a family car and 'gardening/camping' duties. My mileage would be some 6000 per annum and the longest average journey would be some...

How do I 'left foot brake'?

All advice I see says right foot on accelerator and brake, left foot static. I believe it would be better right foot on accelerator, left foot on brake. What would you advise please?

Which family car has 4x4 and will accommodate three children?

I need to buy a family car that will accommodate three young children with proper full-sized seats. Seven seats would be nice but I am not comfortable driving a really big car. I was thinking of the Ford...

Do you recommend the Ford 'CitiStop' system?

I run a six-year-old automatic Skoda Roomster. I like it and I find the warning bleeps when I reverse close to an obstruction helpful. I am nearly 80 and I have an increasing propensity to drive too near...

Which wheels and tyres can we fit to our Audi A3 for better ride quality?

My husband drives a 2006 Audi A3 Sportback with 225/40 ZR 18 low profile tyres, which we both dislike as they provide for an uncomfortable ride and cannot cope with the awful potholes in our area. Can...

Which comfortable automatic car to replace my BMW Z4?

I have a 2009 manual BMW Z4 2.5 which I have owned for about 10 months. It looks great but is not overly comfortable on long runs, the gear changes don't appear to be smooth, it is very impractical and...

Is it legal to have the DPF removed from your car?

A quick Google search shows lot of companies are offering DPF removal. I can see this as an option that would be considered by many with DPF issues. As I understand, cars are 'type approved' to a certain...

Your correspondent has consumer rights against a vendor if something is not sold as advertised.

As part of my economics degree course in the 1960s, I had to study Commercial Law. I was taught that according to the law of contract (not sale of goods) if any vendor advertises a product to the world...

Is my Skoda Octavia reliable because of my driving style?

I read your slightly dismissive comments a couple of weeks ago on the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Passat 2005-2011. I have had a 2-litre diesel Octavia L & K for almost seven years and have covered 77,000...

Where can I sell our Skoda Octavia with a failed turbo?

Despite regular maintenance, we were travelling through the Brecon Beacons in our 100,000 mile 2005 Skoda Octavia 2.0TDI estate when the turbo blew, with clouds of while oily smoke. We paid a £1700 bill...

Why won't Volkswagen UK help with rust problem on my UAE-import Golf?

I have hit a brick wall concerning my 5-year old Volkswagen Golf. I bought this car brand new from Motorpoint, Glasgow. It was an import from the UAE and recently I have noticed rust on both front wheel...

Should I buy a cheap runaround or nearly-new, and how should I store it in winter?

When I retire next year, I need to buy a car. I can't decide whether to spend £1000-£5000 on an old banger which, while cheap to buy, will no doubt cost a bit to run, or £10,000-£20,000 on something which...

Which economical small car for carrying a child?

I currently have a convertible Beetle, which I love, but find running it expensive and as I am expecting my first baby boot space is a must. So I'm looking for a used car for around £7000. My main criteria...

Can a 'get me home' spare wheel be used with a caravan?

In common with many new cars, the Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI has a narrow 'get me home' spare wheel that is limited to a maximum speed of 50mph. If I have a puncture when towing my caravan, can the 'get me home'...

Does the new RAV4 have a proper spare wheel?

I have an 8-year-old RAV4 that I plan to replace later this year. I have been very pleased with the car, and all things being equal, would have gone straight back to Toyota to buy another one. I was aware...

Should my son lease a Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage?

My eldest son is looking to lease over four years either a Nissan Qashqai 1.5dCi or Kia Sportage 1.7dCi. For 10,000 miles per year quotes on both are very similar. However he will be doing 14,000 miles...

Is supermarket fuel inferior to petrol station fuel?

Why will no one do an in-depth review on supermarket v/s the big four fuel suppliers? I am a tanker driver (not fuel) and over the years have asked at least six fuel tanker drivers if there is a difference...

Is it possible to claim from local authorities for pothole damage to cars?

A few weeks ago your column contained an item concerning procedures to be adopted when pursuing the Local Authorities in respect of damage to motor vehicles by potholes where, as in my case, the County...

Is a September 12 2013 BMW 7-Series the latest derivative?

My first question is whether a BMW 7-Series registered in September 2012 would be the very latest derivative of this series? Secondly, is £44,000 a fair price for a BMW 740D registered in September 2012...

Should I replace my Ki Sorento with a Dacia Sandero Stepway?

I have owned my 2007 KIA Sorento 2.5 XT Auto Diesel estate for over two years and it now has 67,000 on the clock. It has always been serviced by my local KIA dealer and I am only the second owner - the...

Car won't start but will turn over?

My car will not start. It was fine in the morning going to work, but to come home it would turn over but not start at all. AA sprayed engine cleaner into it which made it start, but then the engine cut...

Suzuki Swift - should I extend my warranty?

My Suzuki Swift diesel has come to end of warranty and now offered extended warranty. Would this be worth it and what should I look for, and would DPF be included? Car is three years old, just had MOT...

Oil leak keeps coming back - garage can't fix it.

My car has been in garage three or four times in 6 months and I have paid over £500 to fix an oil leak. Garage says there is more than one leak. Last time the car was in garage he said it was definitely...

Short term car insurance - implications?

If I allow my brother insure himself to drive my car using one day internet purchased car insurance: Would I have to tell my existing insurance company that he has insured himself, would I have to tell...

Mazda Timing Belt Issues

I have recently purchased a Mazda 6 2.2 TS2 Diesel. With Full service history. The DPF light has come on at 65,000 - The dealership has adviced this it due to the Timing chain exceding tolerance (stretching)...

Low mileage Yaris - buy?

I'm looking to buy a cheap runaround as a second car and have come across a 2001 Yaris for £2,250. It has only done 20,000 miles, one one owner from new, full service history - basically everything you...

Do I have to pay to park if there is no coin machine?

Can a private car parking company legally ask for payment for parking only by phone? No ticket machines at all present to allow for a cash purchase.

Which luxury estate car?

I am looking to buy an Audi A4 or A6 Avant, or a BMW 3 or 5 Series Touring. I wondered if you had a strong opinions which is the best value for money and most practical? I have a 1 yr old son and am looking...

Advice on late delivered NIP?

My husband has received an NIP for a speeding offence on 20th FEB, the issue date is 15th May, some 12 weeks later. I was actually driving the car at the time and so we need to respond. Should my husband...

Buying a car with repaired damage - what do I do?

I recently bought an ex-motability Mazda 2 (2009/41,000miles) from a reputable dealer from whom I've bought cars before. They were more than willing to let me take it to my own local garage for a check-over,...

My Skoda with DSG doesn't pull away on hills?

I have owned a Sept 2010 1.6TDI Skoda Octavia with the dry 7 speed DSG gearbox from new. Currently it has about 44,000 miles on. I like the car "it does what it says on the tin" However there is a recurring...

Tyre tread cracking - any legal rights?

I have a two-year-old Nissan Note with around 8500 miles on the clock. I've noticed that all four tyres have developed cracks within the treads running the circumference of the tyre. Nissan and the dealer...

Part exchanging a Micra for an i10?

A local Hyundai dealer is offering £4995 for 2011 i10 Classic with guaranteed P/E for any car at £2000. I have a W Reg Nissan Micra. Would you recommend this car? Do you think it is a good deal, or would...

Focus diesel runs rough when cold

My Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi 05 plate runs rough when cold - like a petrol car 'missing.' It's OK when accelerating. I have had the glow plugs changed but it made no difference.

Exhaust Emission Light on a Corsa?

First one is that there is a ticking noise on the engine when idle, (I have recently had the water pump changed). Second one is my Exhaust Emission Light came on yesterday and kept on, when I had two...