Saab headlight for facelift 2008 9-3 - why am I having trouble finding one?

Please advise me where I can get hold of a near side non-xenon headlight for a 2008 Saab 9-3 Sportwagon. No one seems to have a clue. Thank you.

Burning oil

I have a 52 plate mondeo 2.0-litre TDCI 130 hatchback. The problem I have is that it is burning oil. The car has done 231,000 miles and I have had the injectors recoded 4 times in the last 18 months....

Selling a low mileage BMW

Some advice please.I'm selling a 2004 E60 530i SE auto. It has satnav, logic7, heated comfort seats, xenons, active steering, dynamic drive, adaptive lights, advanced aircon ,tv function, folding mirrors......

Used but newish Peugeot 807

I'm trying to track down a newish, sensible mileage 807. They were allegedly made until 2010 but I am struggling to find any for sale younger than 2007 despite having trawled the Peugeot dealerships,...

Spring spacers left on front springs

Bought car in July 2011 from Ford Dealer, 3 weeks ago noticed suspension squeak on passenger side front. Had a look myself, prior to taking it to dealer. Whilst jacking up front end quickly noticed that...

Fiat 500L made in Serbia

While reading your comments on the forthcoming Fiat 500L, I noticed that you put among "what's bad" the fact that the car is built in Kragujevac in Serbia. Can you explain why this is bad in your opinion?

Error code on a Vauxhall CD player

The radio works fine until you put it onto CD. You can hear it working but then on the dash it displays 'CDC SAFE' and does not work. Any ideas?

Buying an MPV - is a C4 picasso a good idea?

I want to replace my Renault Grand Scenic, which I've never really liked, and have looked at a 57 plate Citroen C4 Picasso 5 seater 1.6 diesel auto. Inside it's great - loads of room for three kids. However,...

Replacing 7 seater

Our 05 Galaxy tdi auto with 98k on the clock had an argument with the central reservation of the M1 in the snow. The insurance company has declared it a Cat D and offered us £4400 after deduction of excess...

Suitable used high-mileage small car - what would you recommend?

I'm looking for a replacement for my 10 year old Ford Fiesta. I cover around 18,000 miles a year. Need 4/5 seats. Relatively cheap to run, but reliable. I'm 6ft5, so need a fair bit of space. Would want...

Driving in France - can I get it in France?

I will driving in France in the near future. I currently use Shell V Power petrol. Please would you advise what the equivalent grade is called in France, and do most fuel stations stock it? Do the...

Considering a small automatic - what's out there?

I am due to retire in a couple of years and will be moving from a very rural location to, most probably, a large town or city. Both my wife and I drive and we were considering buying an automatic so we...

Cat burglars

Due to a regular engine misfire caused by water covering the spark plugs (now finally solved when I found out that Mercedes have produced an improved repalcement cover) the cat on my Vito-based campervan...

Cleaning off tar?

My wife's Peugeot 107 is covered externally with tiny black spots, which I believe are the result of road resurfacing nearby. It is too late to pursue with either the highway authority or the contractor....

Telematics for older drivers

We are at our wits end. My wife is retiring next year, and we are buying a Toyota Yaris for my daughter to learn in. As my wife has had three claims on her company car insurance, none of which were her...

Electromagnetic interference on the M1

I am very curious about an electrical fault which affects my Insignia. When I pass a particular spot on the M1, the temperature gauge goes to zero, and the dashboard displays the message "air con not working...

Older car warranty coverage

Will Warranty Direct cover an engine replacement even if it is priced more than value of car?

Petrol or diesel X-Type?

I currently own a 10 year old 2.1 litre petrol X type Jaguar, I would like to update to newer X-Type, since I only do around 5000 miles a year my inclination is to go for petrol again in spite of the...

Smoothest diesel of them all?

What is the smoothest medium / large 4 year old (or less) second-hand diesel on the market today that emits 155 grammes of CO2 or less? I'm thinking of the Volvo S80 2.0, the Honda Accord CRDi and the...

Why is it so difficult to renew my car tax either online or at a Post Office?

I went to tax my car yesterday at a Post Office, and was told that they could not check my insurance and MoT because the post office could not afford online facilities. How bloody ridiculous. The police...

Is the Qashqai 1.6DCI suitable for 12,000 miles a year, and if not can you recommend a petrol alternative?

One of the cars you have suggested is the Qashqai 1.6DCI, which I understand has a good diesel engine. However, as I stated in my query, I only do 12,000 miles a year and I have read (only yesterday in...

Is my driving style responsible for the high mileage I have got out of my Mondeo's dual mass flywheel?

In your response to a WM of Kendal, you quoted 50,000-100,000 for a dual mass flywheel. My experience is different. I am driving my third Ford Mondeo Estate, a 2-litre manual diesel. I have replaced only...

Thanks for recommending LV Insurance, I'm very pleased with their service.

Some time ago you recommended LV for car insurance and I switched over to them then. On receiving my first annual renewal premium recently, I was very pleased to note that there had been no increase on...

Thanks for recommending the SEAT Cupra owners' club to my son for selling his car.

I wrote to you recently regarding my son's SEAT Cupra and you kindly published my letter. He sold the car as you suggested via www.seatcupra.net and received considerably more than he had hoped for. Thank...

Why aren't speed limits displayed using a reflective band system?

Speed limits could be posted by reflective bands and a system of one band for 30mph, two for 40mph adopted. Motorists have to have certain standards of eyesight and should be able to observe the bands....

can you recommend a suitable, powerful replacement for my Octavia Estate vRS?

I currently own a 2005 'old shape' Skoda Octavia Estate vRS. It has been a great car with plenty of performance, and is totally reliable and flexible. I fancy a change and will appreciate your advice on...

Why was my daughter fined for falling asleep in a motorway rest area?

Reading your many parking letters it seems that the original reason for motorway services - to provide a safe resting and refreshment place on motorways - has been forgotten. My daughter drove one night...

Is my Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion diesel likely to suffer DPF problems, and what could I replace it with?

11 months ago I bought a new Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion diesel, which I am delighted with. However I am so worried about your comments about the risk of expensive failure of low emission diesels that I...

Can you recommend a 4WD that can tow two tons for my tree surgeon son?

After 13 years trading, my son suddenly finds his firm with a cash-flow crisis and the need to sell his self-indulgent limo and buy a second hand 4WD vehicle able to tow up to two tons (a one-ton stump...

Are radial tyres suitable for use in summer and winter, instead of swapping to winter tyres?

I lived in Canada for nine years in the late seventies to early eighties. At that time we were always told you could avoid switching tyres every winter by using radials. Radials were sufficient for summer...

I recommend Mercedes-Benz owners with power loss problems check their air mass sensors.

In answer to GB's problem with his E-Class Mercedes losing power on acceleration, I suggest he checks the air mass sensor. I had the same symptoms on my 1998 Mercedes-Benz C240, which, on acceleration,...

Why won't the dealer contribute to the cost of repairing the catalytic converter on my cheap Ford Fiesta?

A month ago, I purchased a cheap runabout Ford Fiesta for £750 from a dealer in Enfield, London. Someone had part-exchanged it, although it came with a new MoT, two new tyres and exhaust. The MoT was obtained...

Should I buy a petrol or diesel Skoda Yeti Greenline for short drives and occasional longer journeys?

I would like to buy an economical Yeti Greenline for my last car. I am going to live in a very rural area and I will be doing a short drive most days to find nice walks for me and my dogs. However, I will...

Does anyone else have problems with the handbrake operation on the Volkswagen Touran DSG?

May I check, through your columns, with other Volkswagen Touran DSG owners about what I believe spoils an otherwise very nice car? My aggravation derives from the design of the handbrake mechanism. Firstly,...

Why do drivers on motorways 'flash out' HGVs when it isn't safe to do so?

Please warn your readers about a serious issue when driving on motorways. Before flashing your lights to allow a truck in front to change lanes, please think about what you are doing. If it is a foreign...

Does my Nissan X-Trail have a DPF and dual mass flywheel, and is it likely to give problems?

I have an 2005 2.2 DCI Nissan X-Trail, 50,000 miles. Does it have the potentially ruinous components of a diesel particulate filter and a dual mass flywheel? Having read your column I am thinking of selling...

Is the Chevrolet Captiva based on the Ford Kuga?

The new Chevrolet Captiva looks remarkably like a Ford Kuga. I looked the Chevy, up on your excellent web site, but it makes no mention of a Kuga. Are there any Ford links with the Captiva?

How should I respond to an NIP which is the result of my number plate being cloned?

Can you please offer any advice or info as to what I should do regarding a notice of intended prosecution I received in respect of a vehicle that has been using my registration number? I have already spoken...

Which tyres could I fit to my Volvo S60 T5 for all-weather use?

I run my Volvo S60 T5 on Goodyear Eagle F1 235/40Z/R18. We used to travel frequently to Germany in the winter and have carried snow chains for several years, although have never needed to use them. I know...

Where could my friend sell her Nissan X-Trail which has been converted to take a wheelchair?

A few months ago, a friend bought a 2009 Nissan X-Trail Aventura petrol automatic, which has been converted to take a wheelchair in the back for her husband. There are still four seats although the two...

Does RAC Breakdown always drop its renewal premiums if you negotiate with them?

Last November I received my RAC Breakdown renewal notice for £147.50 less Membership Savings £80.75, net charge £66.75. I had to call them out before the renewal date of 1-1-11 and a Direct Debit of £120.15...

What do you think of small capacity Chinese-built motorcycles?

I am looking to buy a small 125cc motorbike for around town. Most seem to be about £2000 up, yet I also see some on the web I think from China for around £700. Do you know if they are any good or is it...

What do you think of the Range Rover Sport, and am I tall enough to drive it at 5-feet 2-inches?

My husband is keen on buying a Range Rover Sport approximately 2-3 years old. We would probably do about 15,000 miles a year. What would you recommend please? I see 20-inch wheels are the norm, but I am...

Are the speedometer and odometer in my Toyota Prius over-reading?

I've just bought a new 61-plate Toyota Prius which has a completely electronic dashboard display. Checking the speedo against a SatNav, it showed that at a constant 70mph indicated (held by cruise control...

How can I be prosecuted for a driving offence when my motorcycle's number plates were cloned?

My local council, Hammersmith & Fulham, recently sent through the post a 'moving ticket offence' notice, my motorbike having been photographed to the right of a keep left sign. I wrote to the council explaining...

Where is the best place to sell a BMW 120i convertible?

Can you help with a dilemma? My sister bought a new BMW 120i convertible in March last year. Due to unforeseen and tragic circumstances she has to sell it and hopes to replace it with a used 4x4 (Honda...

How can I protect the coating on my Ford Focus Ghia's alloy wheels from damage?

My 2006 Focus Ghia is fitted with highly polished alloy wheels that are protected by a thick transparent plastic coating. Unfortunately, this coating is easily damaged during routine serving or kerbing....

Does our Rover 45 have a coolant leak?

My wife has a Rover 45 1.6 litre petrol-engined hatchback. She recently had the car serviced by a local garage and we had mentioned that the coolant light was coming on. When checked we were told there...

Is it worth taking out a BMW tyre and shortfall insurance for £750?

I just bought a 1-year-old BMW 520d with 9000 miles on the clock. The dealer is offering a package of 3-year tyre and shortfall insurance for £750 instead of £1150. Do you think this type of insurance...

Can you recommend a new automatic hatchback for an annual mileage of 6000?

I am looking for a new automatic 5-door hatchback that is comfortable for four people, economical and has good acceleration - diesel or petrol, annual mileage about 6000. I was going to look at the Nissan...