Teving trouble

Due to an array of warning lights on the dash of her 118d, including traction control and brakes, my daughter took the car for a diagnostic check to a local main BMW dealer who has told her that it needs...

Xen and the art of motorcycle concealment

I am amazed that I read so little in your column about Xenon or bright white headlights. Anyone who drives at night will be well aware how dangerous and irritating they have become. I am not just talking...

The big Frees

I have been snowed in with sick animals in France for nearly two weeks and of course my Suzuki Splash wasn't up to it. So I have been chasing Jimnys to no avail. I now have the chance to buy a 2002 (but...

Wheeler dealing

I wish to buy a set of winter tyres and steel (ie non-alloy) wheels for my VW Tiguan Escape. My VW dealer tells me I cannot buy steel wheels in the UK and therefore would have to buy a set of alloys, total...

Left in the lurch?

I have discussed sale of my LHD BMW 530d auto with The Left Hand Drive Place and have arranged a suitable sale price. A gentleman is flying to Glasgow airport to check that everything is in order, and...

Obstructive behaviour

The letter from A.S. of Berisford regarding a rolling obstruction caused by a G-Wiz on the A4074 reminded me of two very sensible laws that applied to traffic during my time with the BAOR. The first was...

Penalty ‘Fixed’

I forward this email to you in total frustration at the way that the traffic police and their partners manage their dealings with the tax paying public. I have only ever had four speeding endorsements...

The short and the tall

My Dad is getting on in years and is looking to replace his SAAB with a car with an elevated driving position. He has taken a shine to the Toyota RAV-4, but really only wants a 3-door model. It looks like...

Scrapper flow

I just wanted to thank you for your advice (it arrived within 6 minutes of my emailing you), which I immediately followed. I scrapped my non-running 1999 Corsa 1.2 CDX (with failed head gasket) and bought...

Taxida Missed

Now that councils are again starting to comment on the cost of repairing damaged road surfaces after the last bout of winter weather I think the time is appropriate for you to give us readers an update...

Hubble bubble, oil and trouble

I wonder if you can please provide me with some advice as Volvo is refusing to replace a broken turbo on my 18-month-old C70 D5 (which will cost me approx £2k in parts and labour). They are refusing to...

Winter warner

It is recommended and sometimes obligatory to use winter tyres in Germany in "the winter", whatever that is. Since I go there 6 times a year I am not happy with the wheels supplied with the car. I have...

Going loco

I recently bought a second hand car from a local trader. There were no problems when I looked it over and took it for a test drive. I even noticed that it had a brand new spare tyre. After paying for...

Export/Import

I have a query regarding a car import. I purchased a new Honda CR-V ES in December 2007 from a garage in Leicester that has a licence to import Honda Cars. The car was made in the UK then exported to Cyprus,...

No Claims Discord

There seems to be a certain amount of scepticism about the value of a protected no claims discount. Press comment seems to suggest that whilst you may keep your 60% discount if you claim, the insurance...

Bad start to the year

I am wondering if there is some kind of ombudsman/arbitration service available for a dispute with a garage. Long story short, I took my van into a Birmingham van dealership. It was not starting well on...

Old car for old

Recently I wrote off my beloved car, which I had purchased new, three years ago from a Mazda dealer. The insurer, Swiftcover, wants to supply me with another vehicle the same as my old one, but I would...

Leaned on

I have just received a fine in the post from the municipality of PISA, for an alleged infringement of circulating in a restricted traffic zone without authorisation. The date of the offence was 12 Aug...

VAT chance

My question for you concerns the VAT increase (return to normal levels) implemented on 1st January 2010. I agreed to buy a Polo 1.6 TDI CR SE on 13 Dec from a VW dealership. This car had already been ordered...

Mont Carlo, or bussed

My French registered MINI Cooper’s power steering developed a leak at 29,000km. BMW/MINI Cannes, from whom I purchased the car 6 years ago and who have serviced it regularly, charged me 1,356 Euros to...

Biker grove

Last year due to soaring petrol costs, and the difficulty of parking at work, I bought one of Honda's new Eco bikes, the CBF125 for my daily 40-mile commute. It returns a genuine 135mpg, takes up half...

Commuter belter

I am considering a replacement car to use as a commute of around 110 miles a day plus some business miles say 28-30k miles per annum. At present I have a Golf MK 1V TDI 100BHP on an 03 plate approaching...

Meriva Wife of Windsor

My Meriva (petrol) has been sitting under snow and ice for nearly a month, whilst I have been in hospital. I can't drive until February 4th. Should I start it and let the engine run, or wait for my son...

Rights and the Wrongs

I wrote to you some while ago about the 1689 Bill of Rights as it may apply to on the spot fines. This Act contains "inalienable rights", one of which is as follows: “That all grants and promises of fines...

Locker room

About a year ago the driver's door on my daughter's Passat would not close. The repair was over £100 and took three days. Now the other front door refuses to close. The original workshop does not want...

Bore and stroke

Please can you give us any advice regarding a problem with the Toyota Avensis? Earlier this year we noticed our car was using a lot of oil and our son subsequently discovered on the Toyota Owners Club...

Banger explodes

I recently bought a Rover from a dealer in Peterborough. It was a used car and one that I could afford. My husband and I test drove it for about 5 minutes and asked the seller questions about the car and...

Lex Plus

Five years ago you recommended me a Lexus RX300. I have since been delighted with this car but feel it is now time to think of a replacement I am 80 years of age, somewhat disabled and overweight and therefore...

Sixth sense

After reading your articles for many years and taking your advice for the last 7 years (3 Jazz, 1 Civic and 1 DCI Primera) it is time again. Potentially a simple question this time. Mazda 2 or another...

Rough trade

A few years back we attempted to move from Southern to Northern England and bought a BMW 320D for anticipated long trips up and down the motorway. The move never happened and though we really like this...

VAGabomb

Does the latest 1.6 diesel engine in the Audi A3 and VW Golf have a belts or chain cam? It seems to me that aside from the risk of a belt failure, the fuel savings over a 3-year period are negated by the...

Midlife of the road

After a long search I finally picked up my MX5 up yesterday after delays due to horrendous weather both here in Bath and in Yorkshire (had to abort one attempt). Drove home from Knaresborough to Bath no...

Sunshine superfan

Having been caught out with a flat battery, on my Vauxhall Omega 2.5, during the recent cold weather, I am keen not to let it happen again. I have two cars and use the omega for longer runs about every...

Family panning

My daughter bought a 2006 Mazda 3 (manual, petrol) from a Mazda dealer last year for £7k just after her first baby arrived. It's a very nice car and is fitted with EU-approved child-seat brackets. All...

Volks will torque

I have an 2007 2.0 TDI DSG and have just read the following in your ‘car by car breakdown’: “Early 2.0TDI DSGs suffer from ECU programming that reduces torque from standstill so acceleration is very poor...

The 7 Year Glitch

I have just retired and would like to buy a new car that will last me at least 15 years in the price range £17,000 to £22,000 and wondered what your recommendations would be. I have been looking at Mercedes...

Belts off

I have recently experienced 2 timing belt failures, both within the 40,000 / 4 years limits. The 1st in August 09 on a 1995 Astra 1.6 petrol. The 2nd in December 09 on a 1999 Zafira 1.8 petrol, which occurred...

Towed, on the whole

I need a practical beast that will comfortably tow a 1,500kg caravan for about 3,000 miles a year, and carry 4 adults and accommodate 2 Labradors and walking gear in the boot for probably another 4,000....

Can tanker us

I have made a New Year resolution to never fill my tank more than half full. My thinking is that I will be making a smaller interest-free loan of tax to the treasury and if everyone did the same the tax...

The cool wail

The heater of my 5yr old Diesel 2.2 Nissan X-Trail T-Spec has never been much good and only starts to give out heat when the engine has warmed up after 10-15mins of driving. This is a real nuisance in...

Hello yellow

Some of my neighbours, angry that visitors to our town use our residential road as a free "Park & Walk", have petitioned for single yellow lines on both sides of the road which will prevent daytime on-road...

Spinalonga

I own a Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.9PD Elegance that has low profile Bridgstone tyres, tread depth 3.5mm. I live in a cul-de-sac untreated by grit that is on a slight hill that I am unable to climb despite...

Kyotoo ratings

Further to the information that you gave to the Mazda owner last week, I would like to add the following in your defence. The owner did not state what mileage he had covered. Generally, engines tend to...

Penalty kicks

The Government/DVLA is scamming motorists. In 2008 my wife sold her Vauxhall Corsa to the daughter of friend of a friend. The necessary slip on the V5C was completed and posted to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BD....

Crucial control

I wish to replace my 2001reg BMW Compact automatic, fitted with push/pull type hand controls and a steering wheel peg. Ideally I am looking for a front wheel drive car of similar reliability, size and...

Better, or bargerine?

I'm ready to replace my current car (a great old workhorse - Peugeot 405 Executive TD) and I'm tempted by the relatively low prices of luxury cars due to the massive depreciation we're all seeing in this...

Skid plan

Having been caught out by the snow before Christmas and given the dreadful driving conditions this week, a female friend and I were both of the same mind in seeking out some skid pan training - when the...

Family planning

I am looking to upgrade my car and can't decide between a Toyota Verso, a Vauxhall Zafira or a Mazda 5. I have a 2 year old and an 11month old so safety is a must. What would you recommend?

Missing, impossible?

I wonder if you can help. Last summer I bought a second-hand 2006/56 Ford Ranger Supercab from a dealer with the remainder of the three-year warranty. Before the warranty ran out one of the rear windows...

One cloner car?

We are looking to change our aging 3 Series BMW in the next couple of months and have been following with interest your views on the merits of the KIA cee’d and the Hyundai i30. Both cars seem to fit...