How can I trace an old car using its registration number?

What was the email address you published in Saturday's Telegraph which allows one to trace old registration numbers?

Thanks for recommending the Hyundai i10 - we love it.

Just a note to thank you for your advice regarding buying a Hyundai i10 with £2000 swappage. I went for the style and the wife loves it. We ordered it on 6 February and got the car almost three months...

Which small cars are fairly quiet in terms of running noise and feature a high level of specification?

I wish to buy a small car/supermini that is not too noisy (in comparison to similar small cars) which has a high specification. Ideally with some of the specs as standard, unlike the Mini where nothing...

Why won't SEAT assist with an ESP fault on my 4-year-old car?

My car was out of warranty on 17/3/09 and has had three dealer services and my last service was at Kwik Fit. I had this problem diagnosed by Kwik Fit and got in touch with SEAT about a 'good will' gesture....

Why won't Land Rover sort this dangerous Discovery 3 brake pad fault through my warranty?

I have a 30,000 mile Land Rover Discovery 3. It's 30 months old and was supplied and serviced by the main dealer, the last time in November 2009. It recently developed a horrible squealing noise from the...

Would an alternative make of tyre improve the ride comfort of my MG TF?

The MG TF model is known for its unforgiving ride. I changed the shock absdorbers to the MGOC Bilsteins which have made things a bit better. In your Telegraph column, you sometimes suggest alternative...

Is there such a thing as a small MPV with four-wheel drive?

I am looking for a small MPV that provides a relatively high driving position. I have a C3 Picasso and like the driving position so am now looking for something similar for my wife, who has back issues....

Which 4x4 is suitable for towing and long journeys?

We have tall children (6 feet 7 inches) and after six years and 90,000 miles of enjoying the luxury of an Amazon we are looking to replace it. We can fit into a Discovery, an LC4 (the only one we've test...

My Honda Accord's rear tyres are breaking up after just 12,000 miles - should I push for a refund?

I bought two Bridgestone tyres two years ago. They have covered 12,000 miles and the side walls on both tyres have developed cracks in bands about 1.5cm wide around the circumference of both tyres. The...

How did I get 63 litres of fuel into my Volkswagen Touran's 60-litre fuel tank?

I have a query about the size of my fuel tank (Volkswagen Touran 1.9TdiS 07). I filled my car up with diesel yesterday, and my tank was already 1/4 full. The Volkswagen owner's manual says it is a 60-litre...

Do we need more draconian penalties for using mobile phones whilst driving?

Is it me, or are there an increasing number of drivers who flaunt the law on using mobile phones while driving? Every day I see car, van and truck drivers with a mobile stuck to their ears, negotiating...

Should we order our new Nissan Navara with 20-inch wheels as the dealer suggests?

We are about to change our Nissan Navara for a new one with the Renault 190 BHP engine. We use the vehicle to tow a fifth wheel caravan/motorhome and do no off-road driving other than some small sites...

Reliable used car for under a grand with a large boot?

My girlfriend is in the market to replace a ratty old Metro with something with space enough to put a folded massage table (approx 3 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches folded up) in the back. Max budget...

How do I register a motorhome in my name as a foreign visitor to the UK?

If I need a UK address to change the ownership to my name, what is the criteria for this? And are there any other restrictions for a foreigner visiting the UK owning a vehicle? There are motorhome dealers...

Should I have the oil changed in my Volvo V70 following the DPF recall related to oil contamination by fuel?

You probably know that Volvo have issued a safety recall related to rising sump oil levels in their D5 Diesel engines with a DPF, which is caused by excess fuel entering the engine sump via cylinders during...

Can I claim travel expenses from charity work using the VAT petrol receipt?

I've just started volunteering for a charity and can claim back my travel expenses, however I already submit my VAT petrol receipts to my company to reclaim business mileage. Can I provide the charity...

Can you help me to buy a new car for £15,000?

I am teacher, therefore I know very little about buying a car. I'm looking to buy a new car for around £15,000. Looking for car like the Golf or a Focus but do not which one to buy or where to start from...

How can I clean brake dust from my Volvo V70's wheels?

What is the best method for cleaning the wheels on my new Volvo V70? I guess it's residue from the brake pads. My high pressure cleaner that will punch a hole through tarmac won't remove it.

Recommend a replacement for my Audi A6 Avant which can carry two bikes?

I own an A6 Avant 2.7 diesel Tiptronic (purchased March 2008). I wish to change and want a vehicle which can take two bikes if necessary, and is comfortable and suitable for long distances, so quite similar...

My 25-year-old son wants a Golf TD GTi - what else could he consider?

My son, aged 25, is interested in buying a secondhand Golf TD GTi. His budget is about £14,000. Can you suggest any alternatives that would give him the same level of reliability and street cred?

Must I travel from Scotland to Norwich to attend a Speed Awareness Course?

I am to be prosecuted for speeding at 36mph in a 30mph limit in Norwich, while I was on holiday from Inverness. Norwich County Council have offered me a course in the National Speed Awareness Scheme for...

What could replace my Toyota RAV4 which has softer suspension for a more comfortable ride?

I have a long term chronic back injury and yet need to do a fair bit of travel work-wise. I presently drive a Toyota RAV4 and have enjoyed its higher profile which makes it easier to get in and out of....

Please recommend a durable, economical hatchback which is built to last?

I currently own a G-reg Nissan Micra which has done just over 60,000 miles. However, rust is taking hold and I now need to replace it. My budget is approx. £3500 - £4000. Most of my driving is local, with...

How can I stop my neighbour blocking access to my car park?

I have a car park to my office, this is off the highway. The man next door keeps putting cars in our way and making it hard to get to our car park. I have sent him two letters asking him to move his cars...

My insurance company is disputing a payout on my Mitsubishi FTO - what should I do?

I bought a Mitsubishi FTO last year, it's an N-reg. Another driver went into the back of me. Now my FTO has been written off by the insurance saying its worth £1300, which seemed OK. Then I get told that...

Do I need a UK address to register a motorhome in my name in the UK?

Hi. I am a Kiwi coming to the UK and will buy a motorhome. I don't have a UK address. Is it possible to have the log book in my name?

My new Hyundai i20 is stuck in reverse at just two weeks old - should I reject it?

My new Hyundai i20 stuck in reverse and won't shift. It is back at the dealer and they are repairing the gearbox. Should I accept this or should they be replacing it with a new car? Two weeks is not good.

My car's CD player went missing when the car was repaired after an accident - what do I do?

I recently had an accident with a fox. I drove the car back to my grandma's house on holiday where it was promptly taken by one of my insurance company's contractors with the CD player intact. A month...

What do you think of the Alfa Romeo 166 2.4JTD?

I want to buy an Alfa Romeo 166 2.4JTD - what do you think?

Is there a reliable car my 19-year-old daughter can learn to drive in for under £6000?

I am looking for a good, reliable secondhand car for my daughter to learn to drive in. She is 19 years old. I live in Kingston upon Thames and my budget is £5-6000. I was thinking of a Volkswagen Polo...

My wife's buying me a car - should I go for a Ford Mondeo or Mazda 6?

As a graduation present my wife is buying me a nearly-new car in the next eight weeks. I currently drive a 2001 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Zetec (petrol, 125,000 miles) and am looking at similar sized cars. I have...

Is £3495 expensive for a 2005 Rover 45 GSI with 40,000 miles?

I am considering buying a 2005 Rover 45 GSI with a mileage of 40,000. It looks to be in very good condition and the asking price is £3495. Is this a reasonable price for this vehicle?

I'm trading in my car tomorrow - can I get a refund on the outstanding road tax?

I have decided to trade my 7-year-old Vauxhall in for a new one. I am collecting my new car tomorrow. I still have five months left to run on my tax disc. Am I expected to leave it in the car? The price...

What would be a good first car for an 18-year-old?

I'm 18 years old and I don't have any no-claims bonus (I just passed my test two months ago). I'm looking for a used car for under £2500, if possible. It must be cheap to run, cheap to insure, reliable...

Do you know where I can get a dash top cover for a right-hand drive car?

On a recent trip to USA I noticed loads of cars with dash top covers but of course nobody did RHD examples. Now we are back in "sunny season" I find that I am again plagued with blinding dash reflections...

Which reliable, economical manual car would you recommend for my 18-year-old daughter?

I am looking to buy a secondhand car for my daughter (she will be 18 in July) who is presently having driving lessons. I am looking for good reliability, good visibility, economical, 5-door, low insurance...

Why is my Peugeot 206 sounding a buzzer?

Can you tell me why a buzzer is sounding and the clock has lost its digits?

Should I pay a parking ticket issued in a private shopping centre car park?

I parked on yellow lines at a shopping mall car park which offers free parking throughout, when I returned to my car I had a ticket stuck to my windscreen. The ticket looks official enough, but people...

Our Mitsubishi Grandis is suffering a recurring wiring fault - should Mitsubishi replace the car under warranty?

I have a 2007 Mitsubishi Grandis still under warranty. The car developed a wiring loom fault and, after several abortive attempts to replace it (wrong type sent from Japan twice), we finally got our car...

I can't run an HPI check on this used Astra because it has a private plate - is this safe?

I am currently in the process of buying an Astra 1.8 SRI on a 56 plate that has only 26,500 miles on the clock. I cannot get the car checked because the (private) seller has a private plate and says that...

I'd like a convertible sports car - what would you recommend, and what time of year is best for buying?

Is September or October the best time to buy a convertible or is it more dependent on the weather at the time? I'm looking at a BMW 3.0 Z4 but I'm a little put off by what I've read about the steering...

I'd like a Mercedes-Benz A-Class but am concerned about reliability - what else would you recommend?

I'm driving my 5th Saab (currently an old 95 auto estate) and I drive up to 15,000 miles a year. I'm thinking about changing my car for a small diesel automatic and I like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but...

Does my 2006 Toyota RAV4 have a timing chain or belt?

I just purchased a secondhand 2006 Toyota RAV4 5 door 2.2 diesel. Does it have a timing chain or belt, and what is the price of the parts.

What's the most reliable and cheapest car I could buy for £1500?

I have been spoilt and been able to own mostly new cars in my motoring life. However, due to present circumstances, I require to purchase the best possible car, ie the most reliable, cheapest to run and...

Recommend a fun, quirky car - possibly a convertible - for under £7000?

I will soon graduate from university, and will be starting work at the end of the summer. Before I do so, I am looking to purchase a car that is both economical to run and insure but that is also quirky...

My new FIAT 500 doesn't have Stop-Start, although I specifically ordered it. Can I reject the car?

I bought a brand new Fiat 500 in March and it was delivered on 30 April. The Fiat 500s were upgraded in January 2010 to have Start-Stop fitted as standard. I have a spec sheet and order form from the dealer...

Can I make an offer to the seller of a used car?

I've seen a vehicle advertised for £5000 and I believe it's worth more. What is the law relating to items or goods shown at a particular price for sale? Would I have any legal standing if I contacted the...

Would you recommend a Mercedes-Benz C-Class or E-Class for long-distance comfort?

I have a budget of around £16,000 and would like a car which is comfortable over long distances. I am thinking secondhand. I really want heated leather seats, a cup holder and the capability of doing in...

How much is my Volvo V50 2.0D SE Estate Car worth?

My Volvo V50 2.0DSE estate, painted metallic blue with grey leather, has covered 30,000 miles and was registered on 24 November 2006. It has various extras, including the ESR and Xenon headlamps. What's...

Which used 7-seat 4x4 would you recommend for use as a vet's vehicle?

I am in need of a reliable used 4x4 for my work as a vet. It also has to double as a family car with a seven-seat capacity as I have a growing family. I presently own a Hyundai Terracan 2003 model which...