We have a 2004 Audi A4 Avant Sport 1.9TDi 130PS with 55,000 miles on the clock which we were thinking of replacing with a 4x4, as we live in a semi-rural area and the Audi has struggled in the ice and snow of recent winters. But, having read your advice to other readers, we are now planning on simply putting on winter tyres. The only thing that worries us - again, on the basis of your responses to other queries - is whether the age of the car, its diesel engine and low mileage mean we are in store for big bills.

We had been contemplating a Land Rover Freelander or a Volvo XC60. We have two children aged six and two, so we need reasonable space but don't want a monstrous vehicle that will melt what little is left of the ice caps.