We found a pair of pliers inside the chassis rail of my 1938 Alvis Speed.

NB's report of the inscription inside the Porsche body shell reminded me of a strange discovery found during the restoration of my 1938 Alvis Speed 25 some twenty years ago. When the ash body frame was...

Who controls variable speed limits on motorways?

I am a law-abiding elderly lady, except for when I can see no reason for a restriction. I use the M42 a lot and am frequently frustrated by the seemingly unnecessary speed controls. Yesterday morning was...

Where can we sell a 1989 Buick Park Avenue?

My best and oldest friend died earlier this year. His pride and joy was a 1989 Buick Park Avenue, which resides in a rented garage. His widow is unable to drive it and is anxious to sell at a reasonable...

How often are wheels damaged by poor road surfaces?

My wife drives a 2009 Ford Fiesta 1.6 5-door Titanium with 22,718 miles, bought from Ford Direct through TCH Derby with whom we have a service agreement with TCH in Burton-on-Trent. My wife does about...

Can we fit three child seats across the back of a KIA Sportage or Hyundai ix35?

Our 2008 Toyota Verso is reliable, safe and boring. Would we get three children’s car seats across the back of a KIA Sportage/ix35 (as we can in the Verso) or would we need an enormous Sorrento/Santa Fe?...

Do you have to have a Hyundai or KIA serviced at a recognised workshop to keep the long warranty?

I read about the long warranties on Hyundais and KIAs. Do you need to take your car to the dealers to keep the 5 and 7-year warranties? I also read about Volkswagen Polo 1.4s having premature bore or piston...

Can you answer my technical questions on diesel engines?

I have a few queries on diesel cars that I would be grateful for your advice on. 1. With regards to the diesel particulate burning cycle, what is the effect on mpg (and approximate quantity of fuel used)...

Why is the Passat more expensive than the equivalent Octavia?

I've about £12k to spend on either an Octavia or Passat estate. Why is the Volkswagen more expensive. Is it just the badge?

Can I fit 15-inch wheels to my Lexus IS250 for a comfortable ride?

I had the good fortune to be able to take your advice and buy a Lexus IS250, petrol, automatic and I'm not disappointed. The ride is very comfortable on 17-inch wheels but would it be 'transformed' on...

Can I change the tyres on my Audi A5 to reduce road noise?

I recently purchased a 2-year old Audi A5 Cabriolet S-Line 2.0 diesel front wheel drive, which is fitted with 18-inch rims, Continental Sport Contact 3 tyres on the front and Avon ZZ5 tyres on the rear....

Why aren't car software updates provided to independent workshops?

James Foxall's article about servicing struck a chord with me. My Volvo S40 is now out of warranty and I plan to take it to my local independent for its next service, partly for cost reasons and partly...

Which car to replace my Audi TT?

I have owned a current shape Audi TT 2.0-litre turbo since new and it is now five years old. The car fits me very well but I am thinking now of replacing it. I need the load carrying capability and occasional...

Can you suggest this MAF sensor fix for the Ford Ka to your reader?

I had 2000X Ford Ka and after 10 years it started over-revving at idle. You suggested the MAF sensor needed replacing. Before going down that path, I exercised the MAF sensor cable connection, which cleared...

Which secondhand 4x4 for offroad use?

I recently got stuck twice in a wet and muddy grass car park and in an allotment in a front wheel drive Volvo V50. I would be grateful for your views as to the usefulness of a 4x4. I had previous escapades...

What is this speed setting function on my Passat's cruise control?

I have recently purchased a May 2012 Passat Saloon (SE TDI 2.0 140PS) and I am generally very pleased with it. However, the cruise control seems to have an unusual malfunction that my Volkswagen dealer...

What is causing uneven tyre wear on one of my Honda Jazz's tyres?

I have a 3-year-old Honda Jazz 1.4ES. There's never been a problem with the car, except for excessive tyre wear on the front inner edge of the driver's side. I've been back to the Honda garage and they...

Is there a bigger Ford pickup than the Ranger?

Can you tell me if there are two Ford pickup trucks on the market? I was travelling on the A25 when an enormous Ford pickup truck passed me, I thought it was a Ranger, but it had ‘Lariat’ marked on the...

Which automatic car to replace our Volvo S40?

I currently drive a Volvo S40 saloon, now 10 years old and which I have had from new, it being the third Volvo S40 I have owned. I have always been very happy with the vehicles but now, with advancing...

Does having servicing done by an independent garage void your warranty?

Can you please tell me what the actual position is if your car is under warranty and something has gone wrong but your servicing has been carried out by a non-franchised Garage.

Is it wise to import a car from Japan?

I'm thinking of importing my own Japanese vehicle and have come across Trade Car View. Do you have any view on how risky it is to go down this route, and have you heard of any positive experiences (trade...

Why were drivers who were stuck in a motorway services due to snow ticketed?

Apropos of one of your recent letters topics - see this from the BBC: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-21752893 “Motorists who were unable to leave Pease Pottage service station on the A23 on Monday...

Which winter tyres for my Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

My current car is a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C180K auto estate, tyres Michelin 205/55WR16. In snow I have to traverse an 80-yard unsalted incline before reaching the council’s salted highway, otherwise I'm happy...

Why is it so difficult to find insurance for driving across Africa?

I'm travelling through France and Spain to drive around Morocco for two weeks in early May with a 9-year-old Nissan X-Trail. Initially, I could not get any insurance cover for Morocco. You suggested trying...

What's the difference between the Mercedes-Benz ML250CDI and 350CDI?

I shall be ordering a new Mercedes-Benz ML within the next few months. Given current exorbitant taxes, the new ML250CDI seems a better bet than the 350CDI. Both are capable of towing my caravan. Will the...

Which MPV to replace our Renault Scenic?

My wife has run a 2004 Renault Scenic 1.5dCi since new; as our main family car it has been absolutely brilliant with 65mpg on a run, utterly reliable, very comfortable, a pleasure to be in (with its aircon,...

The brakes are wearing out on my Jaguar XF that I recently bought - is the selling garage liable to replace them?

I bought a 2010 Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 petrol on 27 February from an independent garage. It still had three weeks of manufacturer warranty, so I took it to a local dealership in Warrington (Ryebrook) to have...

Is the electric parking brake fault on my Passat common?

I own a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The electric parking brake started to play up almost immediately after the three year warranty expired. It works intermittently. It regularly fails to engage and when it...

Which tyres should I fit to my Skoda Yeti's 17-inch wheels for the best ride comfort?

I followed your excellent advice and fitted 205/55 winter tyres on 7J 16-inch wheels (all supplied balanced etc by Mytyres at an excellent price) to my 4x4 DSG Yeti. The ride improvement was huge. Now...

What caused the windscreen washer motor to fail on my KIA Sportage?

The water windscreen wash motor failed on an under-warranty KIA Sportage, which has been fully serviced since purchase with the same garage. They claim it is dirt that has caused it and charged me £146....

Does my Mazda 3TS have a Ford engine?

My Mazda 3TS is just three years old. I would be interested to know the origin of its engine, which I believe has chain-driven camshafts. As Mazda is part owned by Ford, is this a Ford engine? The engine...

What is causing my Mazda 6 to burn oil?

I have a 2007 Mazda 6 with a 2261cc petrol engine, mileage 88,000. I have owned it from new and it has been serviced regularly by the local Mazda dealer. After a recent service I was informed that it is...

Is there an economical, more roomy alternative to the Vauxhall Corsa?

My husband and I are in our seventies and in 2011 downgraded from a Vectra to a Corsa automatic. We decided on an automatic because both of us are now finding that stiff knees make for uncomfortable driving....

Why are drivers being fined for using motorway service areas in poor weather?

I noticed a letter with regards to the 'fine' applied to parking in a service area on a night when the weather was exceedingly poor. I write to say that I admire the gentleman for refusing to pay. Unfortunately,...

Is the DPF blocked in our Fiat 500?

I would love some advice as I am desperate. I purchased a Fiat 500 Multijet Lounge in 2008. The car worked fine until 2012 when, every month or so, the filter light would keep flashing on. We were advised...

1.0 Ecoboost, or 1.6 Ecoboost?

I am interested in the Ford C-Max. I do not do more than 8k miles per annum and will not tow a trailer. Would you recommend the 1.6T or 1.0T 125 PS ecoboost engine?

Changing from a thirsty S-Type to something smaller?

I have a 2002 S-Type Jaguar - value say £500. It is well maintained and I love everything about it but it costs me £3600 a year in petrol at an average of 26mpg. I'm a pensioner and I need to reduce my...

MoT advisories on recent purchase - should they be fixed?

My Wife has just purchased a 2nd had Mazda 3 from Arnie Clark. On several occasions she asked if the MOT was ok and if anything came up. She was told that a new wish bone and bushes were fitted. She...

Private fine for stopping on carriageway at Luton airport

My wife went to collect relatives from Luton Airport. On the airport approach road are circular no stopping on carriageway signs. At the roundabout outside the terminal, she happened to see her relatives...

Fixing a 2005 Golf EPC warning light?

I have a Golf Mk5 1.6 FSI 2005 model. The EPC light has come on permanently and it flashes when the engine is warm and the car is at idle. Had this problem before and my non-VW garage (who are very good...

Which small family car for motorway miles?

My wife drives 110 miles on a motorway each day 4 times every week. My budget is up to £21000. Which car do you recommend for a family of four (I have two children 6 and 5 years old)?

Should I accept SEAT's Ensurance offer?

We own a SEAT Altea. SEAT has emailed to offer 3 years free 'Ensurance', to work alongside our car insurance. Is this SEAT's way of working round the Claims Management companies, and do you have a view...

I don't want my Impreza written off following an accident.

I have a 2001 Subaru Impreza YS AWD 1597cc Manual which has been reversed into at at the front. The quote for repairs is £2300. The third party has taken full liability but I am worried that the insurance...

Mileage discrepancy at my first BMW service?

BMW carried out my first service last week and when I checked the service book, I noticed the mileage recorded was about 400 miles less than the odometer reading. When I asked why, I was told they do...

Selling a quality older car

I have a 2001 BMW 530i which has been owned from new with only 20000 miles on the clock. The car is immaculate. Where is the best place to find out what its worth as it is going to be sold shortly?

My brand new car has damaged paint - what do I do?

Bought new C3 Picasso on 11/04/13, drove it home and on salesman’s recommendation returned to the garage on 18th to have GardX coating. In between time the car was just sitting on drive as I still have...

Cam belt intervals on an Astra 1.8?

I am looking to buy a 2007 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Sri Vendor says cambelt does not need replacing until it has done 100,000 miles as it has a Se engine. Is this correct?!

Noisy Polo fuel pump?

We purchased a brand new Volkswagen Polo a few weeks ago. The car has developed a whining noise which you can hear from inside and outside. We are told that this is a common characteristic of a VW Polo...

Insuring an older car for a young driver?

A while ago, I remember reading in your segment that the MG midget would make a good car for a teenage driver due to its small engine size and resultant cheaper insurance (relatively speaking). Would...

BMW DPF won't regenerate - what next?

I have a 3.0-litre diesel BMW X3 that does 12-15k miles p.a. on a reasonable mix of long and short runs. After 5yrs/65k miles BMW are telling me the DPF needs replacing. The car suffers from an intermittent...

Climate control failure on my Ford Galaxy?

I have a flashing climate control display on start up on my 56 reg Ford Galaxy Ghia and the air con seems to have failed although the blowers still work. I am in France and my French is not good enough...