Top end won't turn

My Corsa broke down a few weeks ago and the top end wont turn, I have been told it's the timing chain by a mechanic, but I can only find reference to a timing belt, and no one seems willing to look at!...

New Ford Focus - could you let me know about the handling

I wanted to ask you a favor, I have read few 2012 Ford Focus reviews and everyone say it's comfortable and the build quality is fantastic, but almost everyone say that old car was more engaging to drive. I...

Does the new 1.7-litre Kia Sportage have four-wheel drive?

A silly question, but could you please tell me if the Kia Sportage 1.7 two-wheel drive can go into four-wheel drive by the press of a switch? I'm going to buy one of these cars, but not quite sure which...

Is the Volkswagen 1.4 TSI engine any good?

Is the VAG 1.4 TSI engine any good? Looking to change car, I do 15,000 to 20,000 a year. I need a bigger car to replace my 05-plate Golf.

Need I worry about not taking up gap insurance?

My wife's car is insured through Kwikfit 'insurance'. She received a telephone call this week from someone who said he was calling on behalf of Kwikfit and offering GAP insurance. My wife declined and...

What can I buy that's similar to a Hyundai i30?

I would like to buy a Hyundai i30 1.6-litre diesel for a about £8000, but cannot seem to find one. What is a similar car? I do not want to go bigger as I have parking problems. I thought about a Cee'd. Are...

Got a parking ticket charge from Town and City Parking Ltd at an Asda car park

I got a parking charge notice from a private company called 'Town and City Parking Ltd' at an Asda pay and display car park. I parked for 23 minutes there. A parking charge of £60 now due. A parking...

Engine juddering

I have a Renault Laguna 1.9 dCi on a 53-plate. It has been well looked after, but recently it started juddering. I got it onto diagnostics and it came back with three errors: heater plugs, MAF sensor and...

I have received a parking fine from TCP for £75

I have received a parking fine for £75, reduced to £50 if paid promptly for overstaying my limit in a retail park. I have read numerous posts regarding this stating to ignore the letter. Are you aware...

Should a dealer be responsible to keep informed of car specification changes?

I viewed a five-month old 2010 Vauxhall Zafira Ecoflex Elite at a Vauxhall dealer. During a test drive the salesman informed me that the car had "traction control". I agreed to buy the car and to collect...

Clamping and extortionate fees

I have just been clamped outside a bankrupt shop. I had been away fron the car for 10 minutes. The paperwork demand stuck on the window was for £125 + VAT = £150. I refused this, pointing to a (smalll)...

Warranty on a Mazda 6

I purchased a Second-handa Mazda 6 2004 in October 2010 and have had to take it back to the dealer on three separate occasions, mainly due to noisy engine and excessive fuel consumption. As we were given...

Gearbox problems on a Citroen C5

I have just paid a deposit on an unseen 2001 C5 2.2 HDI exclusive. I have been told by the dealer that the gearbox mounting is very worn and causes the vehicle to clunk when pulling away and during gear...

Parking charge notice - where do I stand?

In relation to advice posted last year regarding parking fines received from private companies, my wife and I received a Parking Charge of £60 in the post shortly before Christmas for a parking contravention...

Buying a saloon or hatchback

I prefer the styling or a saloon car (i.e. a car with a boot), but like the practicality of a hatchback. Are there any saloon cars that have fold down rear seat so as to gain access to the boot compartment...

Selling a Citroen Xsara Picasso

How much could I expect to get from a dealer for a 2001 model Citroen Xsara Picasso SX 1.8 diesel in good condition?

Which Avensis to go for?

I would like to get a new-shape Toyota Avensis 09-reg. What diesel engine should I go for: 2.2 or 2.0?

My Golf has 174,000 miles on the clock and is still going strong

I bought a Volkswagen Golf MKIV GT PDI 130 from my brother-in-law who owned the car for years and bought it with 30k on it. It's now done 174k, mainly motorway miles by a very considerate driver who has...

Citroen C3 Fault

I follow your column in The Telegraph and due to your advice I was able to get £450 back from Citroen UK - so thank you. My wife's four-year-old Citroen C3 started misbehaving and was diagnosed that all...

VW Passat: water Ingress, sunroof drains blocked

My Volkswagen Passat (2002) has water inside the boot on the left and right hand sides in a recess built into the floor where the jack and tools are stored. I suspect the rear sunroof drain has come off...

Small cars with the best legroom

Do you know which small cars offer the best legroom for drivers, something suitable for around town, odd trip on the A roads, and as a second family car? The Mini has fantastic front legroom, but doesn't...

Quiet summer tyres for a Volvo V50?

You have in the past recommended quiet-running tyres. I find the 17-inch Pirelli P7 (which I run from April to October) produces a noticeable amount of noise on most surfaces. Do you have an up-to-date...

Acceptable mileage for new car?

What is an acceptable mileage on the clock for a new car? At what point should one consider rejecting it on the basis that the mileage is too high? (Clearly I'm excluding situations where one is fully...

Temperature guage shows over-heating while driving up long inclines (coolant at minimum level - not leaking)

I have noticed that when driving up long inclines, the temperature (according to the guage) starts to creep up rapidly from 90 degrees towards 130. It returns to 90 once I level off or start going downhill....

Will my Honda Jazz have the recent suspension modifications?

I am going to test drive a 2011 Honda Jazz ( 1.4 manual ) next week. How can I be sure that it is the very latest model with the suspension mods introduced for the Hybrid ?

Can I use winter tyres in Summer?

You have previously suggested having two sets of tyres, Winter and Summer. I accept that winter tyres will not last as long as summer tyres, but as I am a low mileage driver could I just replace my Summer...

Taxing question

I ordered a tax disc online a few days ago and it still hasn't arrived. In the meantime the car has had to be towed by the RAC. It was towed to my home as it was sunday and the garage was closed. They...

Car wheel leans out

I have put new wheels on my car, and the front right wheel leans out slightly. Could this be the result of the wishbone being damage or the suspension? I know I had a little knock when the roads were...

Confusion over two cars that are supposed to be virtually the same

I'm thinking of buying a used automatic diesel version of the Hyundai i30 or Kia C'eed. We're told they're virtually identical, but built in different parts of the world. As far as I can see the external...

Buying a new car - cheap to run, can get to the dog in the boot - but still good fun!

I'm looking for a (nearly) new car, preferably five-door, that can fit a dog in the boot, with quick acceleration and some 'pizazz!' (I can't get excited by the undoubtedly brilliant VW Golf or Ford Focus) I've...

Insurance Scam?

I received a call on my home phone from an "international" number. The caller asked for me by name and said that she believed I had been involved in an accident. I have not so I terminated the call. On...

How much for an Audi Q7?

How much could I expect to get for a June 2007 Audi Q7 3.0 S Line Quattro TDI Tiptronic? No part exchange as I've already bought another vehicle and can either sell to garage, privately, or through...

Setting up a small prestige car business

Could you help me again please. I am 50 years old and I have had an interest in high end cars for many years. I've owned a fair few and turned them over frequently. I have bought 18 month old Porsches...

Warning light on my Fiat 500 keeps coming on

I took delivery of new Fiat 500 1.3-litre diesel at the end of Oct 2010. Within a couple of weeks problem with warning triangle and stop/start unavailable lights coming up. Car went back to dealership....

Can I remove the diesel particulate filter on my car?

I need a diesel car for towing a caravan, and have been considering a 2010 XC70 with the 205ps Geartronic D5 engine. I don't use the car for really short journeys, but I am concerned that with such a high...

Does a car have to be insured or can it be driven legally by a non owner?

I have just bought a newer second hand car and still have my old car which is taxed for another six months and I am no hurry to sell or scrap it. I cannot drive it under my new car comprehensive insurance...

Selling a an X-Reg Audi A4

I am selling an Audi 1.8 A4 X reg. It has only 64,000 miles, but the trip computer display is just pixels AND there are lots of small parking dents and scratches. The interior is good, there is no rust...

Buying a car to use as a taxi. Recommendations?

I'm just going thought the process of becoming a taxi driver so as soon as I am licensed I will need to buy a car. I'm looking at spending around £3500-£4000 on a car to start with. I have been looking...

Nissan Note electrical diagrams

I need a user manual with electrical diagrams for Nissan Note.

DSG Gearbox

In reply to ST, Oxford in the Sunday Telegraph Motoring Lifestyle you state that VAG's DSG gear box is improving. Does that apply to both the six-speed and the seven-speed versions and is the seven-speed...

Question in respect of DPFs in new Freelander 2

I have read your general advice. Can you advise how the regeneration of the DPF in a Freelander 2 works? Does it regenerate anyway when one goes on a long drive or will it wait until it is partly clogged...

Extended Car warranty

My Mazda 3 Tamura is approaching the end of the manufacturer's three-year warranty. It has done 27,000 miles. Hence, is it worth buying an extended warranty, since Mazda have a good reliability record?...

Volkswagen crankshaft sensor location

I'm trying to locate the crankshaft sensor on a Volkswagen Transport van 56-plate 1.9TD.

Fuel economy & emissions

I traded in my A3 2.0 petrol turbo manual (emissions 186 g/km) for a 3.0 3-Series BMW auto (emissions 170 g/km). The BMW seems to use more petrol, significantly so in London. I had imagined it would use...

Is this a good buy?

My mate has offered his 07-plate Vauxhall Vectra 1800 Life with 40,000 miles for £3000. I know the car and he has had it for two years with no problems. Should I buy? Any big problems you know of with...

Nissan Primastar engine management light

My Nissan Primastar has just stopped. The red engine management light is flashing "stop". It will turn over, but won't start. No fault found on computer.

Selling my 1971 Scimitar's Classic Car plates - what can they be replaced with?

I am looking to sell my Reliant Scimitar SE5 GTE and have considered selling its plates separately as they are quite unique and could fetch a good deal. However, I don't want to ruin the classic car...

C-max v S-max

We are looking for a Ford seven-seater. Should we go for the C-Max or S-Max? And which model?

Small city car, which is best?

Looking to replace our second car (2004 Nissan Almera) with a neat city car. Both the Panda and Aygo have received good reviews by reviewers and owners. Out of the two, which would you recommend as the...

A model company

Yesterday morning I decided to order from an online company called Model Car World a die-cast scale model of the Jaguar S-type I own. To my surprise and delight it arrived on my doorstep early this morning,...