Winter tyres all year?

Are there disadvantages of remaining on winter tyres all year round for standard motoring, mixed town and motorway driving. (noise, wear, braking, handling in summer?)

No-fault accident - will it increase my costs?

Have just received my excess, reimbursed by my insurer following a no fault claim being settled by a local authoirities insurer. This involved a small rubbish car denting my bonnet whilst I was stationary...

Buying a used family estate.

A Mazda 6 2004 estate bought just two months ago as a car that would give two-years trouble-free motoring turned out to be rotten underneath and a turbo fault led to camshaft damage. The car is not worth...

What comfortable mid-size car?

I need a reliable car that has soft/middling suspension, not the usual hard suspension of today. Also steering should not be heavy. I prefer Japanese but realise that I may have to leave them to get what...

Turbo problems with a Focus TDCi

I used to own a 2005 Focus 1.6tdci that had two turbo failures in quick sucession. I am aware that there is a problem with these cars and have disposed of mine. I liked the car and now want another Focus...

A good value small automatic

I'm looking to buy a small car. It has to be safe, reliable, good value for money, cheap to run (tax/insurance/fuel). Preferably automatic. Only doing short nursery and grocery runs. It will need to easily...

Replacing a 207 key

I have recently purchased at Peugeot 207 which only had one key as the previous owner had lost one. When I contacted the dealer at they were charging £80 for the key, £30 for the key code and £65 to program....

Damage from freak hailstorm

Following the freak storms we had earlier in the week, my car has suffered quite significant hailstone damage. Every panel on the car is dented, some obvious, some only visible at certain angles, I would...

buying new car - recommendations for good mileage, environmentally sound, turbo feel, a bit funky

Have a 2003 Citroen C3 manual 1.4 diesel - which I love. However, it is getting a bit old and a bit small for our needs. I commute to work some 30 minutes each way, run errands, drive teens. Occasional...

Which large diesel 4x4 should I buy for towing a boat?

I am planning to replace my car with a 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre diesel 4x4 to tow a light boat and I'm unsure what to buy. The village we live in is approached by a steep hill and I also need it to cope...

I've made reference to your comments on the Protection of Freedoms Act in reply to a column in Country Life.

Carla Carlisle, a columnist with Country Life, wrote a harrowing piece about an A14 accident in the Travel Section of the DT on Saturday 24 March. I wrote to her this week and had a very positive email...

Are diesels as economic as they used to be?

I am due to replace my BMW 330 diesel coupe this year. I drive around 20,000 miles a year, mainly on motorways. With the gap in prices between petrol and diesel widening, I have started to question whether...

How do Americans fund fuel for their large capacity, gas-guzzling cars?

MU of Newbury Park could have answered his own question had he looked at the price of fuel while he was in the USA. When we were in Colorado last September unleaded petrol was $4.59 a gallon. That equates...

Why has the turbo failed on my Vauxhall Corsa?

I have a 2007 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3CDTi that has done less than 50,000 miles. I have been experiencing loss of power at speed and have been told that the turbo needs replacing. Am I alone in assuming that...

What preparations should I make to my Mercedes-Benz 320 CLK before a long drive to Portugal?

The current tyres on my 10-year-old Mercedes-Benz 320 CLK are Avons which need replacing at the front after 10,500 miles. Any suggestions? The car is an automatic and therefore should l have the gearbox...

Where can my friend sell his classic MGB GT?

An old friend has an Anniversary Edition MGB GT in his garage which he would like to sell. Can you advise me where and how we could obtain the best value for him?

ABS diagnostic fault on my Volkswagen Golf GT - what could be causing it?

My car is a Golf GT Sport TDI and it is three and a half years old. The ABS light came on and I took it to my garage which did the diagnostics tests. £170 later I was told it was the ABS controller unit....

Is coasting downhill better than descending a hill in gear?

With my DVLA road tax reminder I received a leaflet exhorting me to save money (and petrol) by adopting a “smarter driving style”. Included was the advice not to coast downhill or towards lights in neutral...

How can I trace a classic car?

I am an officer of a classic car club. I have received an email from someone who wants to “trace” a car that belonged to her late father, and was stored locally. (Her father hasn’t been a member for 15+...

Do you have any information on the small Jaguars that are about to be released?

I currently run a Jaguar X-Type, and have been very pleased with it, but now I would like a new one. I have considered the XF 2.2 diesel which is great, but is more car than I need. I have heard rumours...

Which wheels would be best for my new Range Rover Evoque?

I would like to place an order for a new Range Rover Évoque Prestige model but, before I do so, I need to make a decision on the wheel/rim size and tyres for maximum ride comfort. The standard alloy on...

Which estate car or MPV for a young family?

My wife and I are expecting our first baby in June and we are in the market for a new car. We also have a dog and have come to the conclusion that we need an estate for when we all go out together. We...

Why are two dealers charging different prices for the same used car?

Searching on the official website I found two used Volkswagen Sharans within my budget of £20,000. One was at the local dealership, the other was in another dealership approximately 30 miles away. I visited...

Should I sell my BMW 3 Series at two years old or three?

I bought a new BMW 3 Series last year and am debating whether to trade it in either after two years or just before its third birthday. Financially, I guess, after two years it will have taken its biggest...

Which small car gives good fuel consumption, low road tax and a high seating position?

I need to replace my beloved Toyota RAV4 auto which is 13 years old and has done 105,000 miles with a more economical secondhand car. The requirements are for a car of small size with low road tax, good...

Which small cars are suitable for taller people?

I was made redundant a couple of years ago and since have been driving my wife's Micra, about which I won't have a bad word said. My only problem with buying another Micra is that I am 6 feet 2 inches...

Which MPV to replace our Ford C-Max?

Some years ago we bought a 2004 Ford C-Max on your recommendation which has now done 125,000 miles. Our needs have not really changed, but you no longer recommend the C-Max. What is the best buy in that...

Can I recommend Tyrepal tyre monitors to your readers?

You asked for reader experiences of Tyre Pal. I bought a set just before Christmas 2011 when on offer at a near half price. The sensors are fitted to my S-Type Jaguar. When cold (4 degrees Centigrade)...

I use a dehumidifier to prevent my classic cars rusting in the garage.

Regarding recent letter about garaging wet cars. Of course they deteriorate very quickly as there is no air circulation to evaporate the water - ideal conditions to encourage formation of rust. For many...

Which tyres will give a more comfortable ride on my Mazda 3?

I have a Mazda 3 Sport shod with Toyo Proxes R32 205/50R17 89W. The tyres are rather low profile, giving a slightly lumpy ride. I wonder if you can recommend a deeper profile tyre for this vehicle?

Electric parking brakes make me uneasy - are they as effective as a handbrake?

I have been looking at the latest Vauxhall cars and to my astonishment they have no handbrake, only a button. To me this is extremely dangerous as I rely on having a handbrake in case of an emergency....

How does the Honda Jazz's i-Shift work?

Can you please explain how the i-Shift in a 2008-2010 Jazz works in practice? Do you have a choice between fully automatic and using the steering wheel paddles to change, or must one always use the paddles?...

Why doesn't my local council fit time-controlled traffic lights outside a school instead of speed humps?

I presume that the proposal of road humps in Park Avenue, Stourport on Severn is made to ensure the safety of children at the new Primary School. I support measures to improve safety but consider that...

I'm very pleased with my Mazda 5 TS2.

I have noted you recommend several times the Mazda 5 TS2. I bought one after a hip problem made me switch, and the higher seating position and easy access/exit have made this vehicle ideal and a joy to...

Is the E Class a good replacement for our Mercedes-Benz CLK?

We currently lease a Mercedes CLK cabriolet and the lease is due for renewal this August. We have been advised that this model is no longer made and that the nearest equivalent is the new AMG Sport E Class...

Which SUV is low enough for an ageing dog to climb into easily?

We have a Range Rover Sport but our dog is getting older and soon won't be able to climb into the back of the car, as it's quite high. Would you recommend any other large car with easier access? We're...

Why do my sister's Volkswagen Golf's windows open themselves?

My sister has a 2005 Volkswagen Golf TDI 1.9 which has done 80,300 miles. On three occasions over the last two years she has returned to the locked car to find all four windows have opened fully. Can you...

Which version of the Land Rover Discovery 4 should I get?

I would like to replace my Jeep Cherokee 2000 model, which has done 150,000 miles, with a Land Rover Discovery 4 and, as it will be the last big car I buy, I am hoping to find an ex-demo to save something...

Why isn't Honda promoting its new Civic yet?

I am considering purchasing a new Honda Civic. Although reports of the new Civic appear to be favourable Honda does not yet seem to be promoting its new model in this country. I am worried that technical...

Why are Bosch fuel pumps in the Fiat Scudo and the Suzuki XL7 prone to failure?

Did you know that a Fiat Scudo combi (van with seats) 2001, 2.0-litre TD and a Suzuki XL-7 2004, also 2.0-litre TD, both have two fuel pumps, one of which is located in the fuel tank? The Fiat has interchangeable...

Where is the code which identifies my Skoda's date of manufacture?

Is there a method of confirming the date of manufacture from 'codes' carried on the vehicle? The car in question is a Skoda Superb.

Should I continue to use my son's company Skoda or buy a secondhand car?

Through my son I have the use of his second company car on lease. It is a Skoda 1.8Ti SE, a brilliant car. I pay £180 a month and change the car every six months with no servicing, recovery or road tax...

Are there any issues with the Citroen C4 Picasso?

I am about to buy a Citroen C4 Picasso petrol manual car. I travel about 10,000 miles a year with a few short trips and currently have a 2003 Renault Scenic. Is there anything that I should be aware of...

Which small car can I buy new for under £8000?

I've had my beloved Fiesta for seven years now and, at 65,000 miles, I'm thinking of a change. I don’t like the new Fiesta because, being quite short, I find the visibility through the rear window very...

Very pleased with customer service from MSB Skoda, Darlington.

I purchased an ex-demonstrator 1.6 diesel Octavia from MSB Skoda in Darlington in August 2010. To date I have been very pleased with both the car and the aftercare service from MSB. However, after about...

Which tyres will reduce my Audi A1's road noise?

In October 2011 I purchased an Audi A1 SE 1.6 TDI that had clocked 5073 miles. The tyres on this car are Continental 205/55 R15s. On roughly surfaced roads, especially motorways, the tyre noise is intolerable,...

What do you think of the Peugeot 207CC?

I am giving consideration to buying a Peugeot 207 convertible as this seems to be the best value for money in my price range of around £7000 for a 2007-2008 model. I have tried the Mazda MX-5 but found...

Is the increase in 'green' vehicles in Europe futile, as so much of the world continues to use large, thirsty vehicles?

I was interested to read the letter from MU of Newbury Park and your response to it. I travel frequently to Africa, mainly to Ghana where I am involved in a business. The preferred vehicles, once people...

Where can I get the best deal on a Citroen C1?

My other half wants a new 2012 99g/km Citroen C1 VTR five door with metallic paint, ABS, air conditioning, self locking and power steering. Any ideas where I could get the best price?

My friend was prosecuted for undertaking - is this entrapment?

A friend was recently prosecuted for dangerous driving, for undertaking an unmarked police car. The A23 is, at that point, a two-lane dual carriageway. With no traffic in sight my friend followed an Audi...