How can I stop CP Plus car parking enforcement from harassing me?

Sorry to keep e-mailing you with this, but I'm still receiving threatening letters from CP Plus regarding my parking fine. This one is informing me that the fine is now £120 and there is legal action pending,...

A big endorsement for Drivethedeal who supplied my new Honda Civic.

After experiencing weeks of frustration trying to buy a new car locally, I reluctantly concluded that some car salesmen at various dealers and marques simply do not want to sell cars. Unreturned phone...

Is there somewhere for drivers to report badly-programmed traffic lights?

A lot has been made of fixmystreet and how effective it is. I was wondering if there is a similar process for reporting junctions where the traffic lights seem to have been programmed by Stevie Wonder?...

How can I defend myself against a fine levied for falling asleep as a paying customer in a McDonalds car park?

Could you advise me upon a suitable course of action with a penalty notice I have incurred due to outstaying my welcome in a McDonalds car park? On 15 September I parked in a McDonalds car park attached...

I love my old Volkswagen Sharan - should I replace it with the new model or with a Ford Galaxy?

I wrote to you about five years ago when I had just got my latest 2005 Volkswagen Sharan 1.9 SE diesel company car. This was my third. Like a lot of companies at the moment we are making our vehicles last...

Why can't utility companies perform better road repairs after carrying out their work?

The poor quality of road surfaces in this country is frequently discussed in your column. Many factors are blamed, but in my experience the surfaces of roads in towns are in a dreadful state almost entirely...

Thanks to Audi for providing an interim car to drive whilst delivery of my TT Roadster was delayed.

I ordered a TT Roadster in April this year. I was advised that the model was about to receive a "facelift" but I assured that I could take delivery in September. This suited me perfectly as I was not in...

Do large wheels with low profile tyres make SUVs like our Honda CR-V unacceptably expensive to run?

My wife and I drive a CR-V EX I-VTEC auto (our third such vehicle) that was purchased as a 3-month-old demo model in October 2008. However this model was fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels and low profile...

Did you know that old Rolls-Royces had trouble with runaway automatic gearboxes too?

Your tragic emails about runaway automatics reminded me of a true incident, circa 1960. A friend had a wealthy uncle who had an automatic Rolls-Royce. One morning he drove out of his garage but stopped...

Will the Audi A6 S-line's 19-inch wheels cause an uncomfortable ride?

I inherited my current company car, an '09 plate Audi A6 S-line saloon running on 18-inch alloys and 40-profile tyres. I expected the suspension to be spine-smashingly hard, but have been pleasantly surprised...

Your correspondent should consider driving on motorways at a slower, more relaxed speed.

May I suggest your correspondent NH, Salisbury, travels at a more leisurely speed of 60mph and in the nearside lane? This way the only real stress is overtaking (carefully) the occasional slow-moving trucks...

Is the Ford Focus RS relatively easy to sell on?

I'm thinking about buying a “new” Focus RS from a main Ford dealer. The full retail price is £29,286. The dealer has offered me the car at a discounted price of £27,500. However, I have been told that...

Did you know that a former police officer has been disputing your advice regarding left-foot braking in automatics?

I thought you would be interested in the views of a listener to LBC, identified as ‘Roy of South Morden’ and his opinion of your advice about driving an automatic using left-foot braking. Roy claims to...

Please continue to advise your readers to adopt the left-foot braking technique in automatics.

I am so pleased to see someone with knowledge recommend left-foot braking. Please continue to press the several advantages of using this technique. I ran a Porsche 928 Series 4 auto for seven years and...

Can you help diagnose an ESP fault in my 2002 Volkswagen Golf?

We were very interested in your reply to JS on the problem of ESP failures. My 2002 Golf Estate TDI PD 130 recently shone a warning light indicating a fault in the ESP. Having checked at the nearby Volkswagen...

Why would I want to turn off my Nissan Note's ESP?

My new Nissan Note has an ESP on/off switch. Why would I wish to turn off this (I believe) valuable safety feature?

Why are there continuing arguments about lane discipline on motorways?

I refer to the letters in Motoring Lifestyle on Sunday 31 October regarding middle lane driving. Surely your reply misses the point that whatever one’s opinion of the speed limit, it is 70 mph and that...

What should I look for when buying a W123 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

I am considering the purchase of a 1978 Mercedes-Benz W123 model. This car has only completed a genuine 27,000 miles from new. It is offered with all of the service invoices together with all the MOTs....

Why has the delivery of my new Audi A5 been delayed by nearly three months?

I ordered and paid a deposit for an Audi A5 2.0 TDI to my specification on August 17 2010 and was assured that a delivery before the year's end would not be a problem. I have now been told today that the...

Why are my Hyundai Getz's windscreen wipers juddering at slow and medium speed?

I have a 2003 Hyundai 1.3 GS Getz. It always passes its MOT, the last being in September, twice. I have had new wiper blades fitted but seem unable to overcome the juddering and graunching when using the...

Why was my local Audi garage keen to offer goodwill when repairing an ESP fault on my A3?

My 2007 Audi A3 is less than four years old, has done less than 34,000 miles and has a full Audi service history. Last week the ESP warning light came on so I tried to book an appointment with my local...

Why have I been charged for wear and tear when returning a lease car for auction?

I recently returned a lease car after four years and three months, with 83,000 on the clock. It did have a few scratches on it from hedges etc, but nothing through to the metal, and the chap collecting...

Thanks to the DVLA for quickly replacing our registration document after an error.

I never thought I would say this but "Congratulations DVLA.” My wife recently bought a new Jazz and, as is the case nowadays, all the documentation was dealt with by the dealer, so my wife was presented...

MET Parking Services have returned my part payment of a parking charge - what should I do now?

I received a MET Parking charge (£100/£50 if paid in 14 days) for overstaying by 19 minutes in a McDonalds. I read your letter page every weekend and have noticed your suggestion concerning these "fines"....

Should we replace our 2002 Jazz with the latest model?

We have had a Honda Jazz 1.4 SE since 2002 and, apart from two fairly minor problems (an EGR valve problem, which you identified, and a rear wheel bearing failure) have had trouble-free motoring since...

Can you recommend a small, versatile, economic car to tow a small trailer?

I am recently retired and despair of finding a car that is basic enough for me. My priorities are versatility for carrying loads, safety, economy, and the ability to tow a small trailer. Gadgets and comfort...

Why all the outrage over your campaign to promote left-foot braking?

Whenever you discuss left-foot braking in automatic cars, you seem to receive a volley of outraged emails. I fully support your views on left-foot braking in automatics. I have done this for many years...

Is there a mechanical reason for the clutch on our Renault lacking free play?

On my recently purchased used Renault the clutch pedal has no 'free play' and starts to take up at the top of the clutch travel. I find this most awkward to pull away from rest without a slight jerking....

Should I move over the stop line at a red light when an emergency vehicle needs to pass?

Could you clarify the legal position when one of the emergency services, with blue lights flashing and siren sounding, needs to cross a red light where traffic is blocking their progress. Is it permissible...

Can cars travelling in the opposite direction set off speed cameras?

I keep getting flashed by speed cameras on the same stretch of road when I know I am under the limit. Could something else, such as cars going in the opposite direction, be setting them off? I've travelled...

Why are my BMW X3's brake discs wearing as fast as the brake pads?

My BMW X3 automatic has covered 38,000 miles from new in my ownership and recently had an inspection and brake fluid change at Sytner High Wycombe. The service received and the ongoing communication throughout...

Do other readers struggle with foot clearance when using the pedals of the Peugeot 207?

Further to an email some time ago in which HJB refers to a braking defect on his Peugeot 207, I totally agree and support your comments in respect of the lack of foot clearance in the Peugeot. My wife...

What are your opinions of the Mazda 2 Activematic?

My wife is keen to buy a new car and has her sights on the Mazda 2 Activematic. Have you had the opportunity to test one yet?

Can you fail your driving test when using left-foot braking in an automatic?

I was interested in your statistics on stopping distances when left-foot braking an automatic rather than right-foot braking. I started using this method about 40 years ago when I moved to Detroit and...

Thanks for suggesting left-foot braking for drivers of powerful automatics, like my Maserati.

Thanks for your advice on left-foot braking on automatics. I recently purchased an automatic Maserati and so far I have nearly crashed three times whilst in a confined space, making three point turns or...

Would you support the use of pneumatic speed humps?

When visiting southern Spain recently, I found an article in an English language newspaper that may be of interest to you. Although I support your campaign against speed cushions, if our anti-motorist...

Should I fit a pair of winter tyres to the front or rear wheels of my BMW 320D Touring?

If I were to purchase a couple of winter tyres for my BMW 320D Touring, would I be best served fitting them to the front or rear wheels?

As a former chauffeur, I completely agree that left-foot braking should be employed in automatics.

I was a chauffeur, driving numerous people from Prime Ministers to the average man in the street for 22 years. Throughout all this time I left-foot braked. I learned by having a Cortina Mk3 auto with a...

Can I expect any problems if I drive my 2008 Ford Mondeo to 100,000 miles?

I have owned a Ford Mondeo Titanium X 2.5T from new. It is now two years old and has 46,000 miles on the clock. I normally trade my car in after two years but I cannot find a car that compares with my...

Can you recommend a pick-up workhorse to replace my 1994 Isuzu Bighorn?

I own an 1994 Isuzu Bighorn 3.1TD LWB that has served me well for about 10 years now, used on our small farm for the occasional heavy towing task (livestock in a trailer to slaughter, hauling baled hay...

What is a 'map nav'?

In your reply about buying satnav for an impending European trip in 10 days time you recommended that, rather than learn the quirks of a satnav, I instead use "map nav". What is "map nav" and what platform...

What was the product you recommended for use on tyres in heavy snow?

I seem to recall that you recommended a product for driving in the snow. It was not chains and I think the word "glove" was part of the name. As winter is still upon us could you let me have the details?

Why will some recovery companies not recover your vehicle from abroad if it isn't valuable enough?

Having worked in the insurance industry a few years ago I can see a hole in the cover offered by the breakdown and insurance companies. My 16-year-old motorcycle broke down in France whilst returning from...

Why do you suggest that drivers should move to the middle lane to let speeders pass on the motorway?

Despite being an avid fan of your column I was amazed to read your cavalier dismissal of the points made by NH of Salisbury (Sunday Telegraph, 31st October) regarding the 70mph motorway speed limit. You...

Why won't our insurance company let my mother fit winter tyres to her Nissan Note?

I have identified a set of 15-inch steel wheels fitted with Avon Ice Touring tyres which will be ideal for winter use on my Mother's Nissan Note. I hadn't reckoned on the vagaries of the insurance industry,...