Why is Honda dropping the Accord from the market?

I refer to the email printed 6 April from "DH" regarding his possible purchase of an Accord and was shocked to read your reply suggesting the model might be dropped. My own 1999 2.0i Accord has been by...

What is causing a sluggish gear change in my Ford Fiesta?

About three months ago I purchased a Fiesta 1.4 automatic (torque converter). It was only three months old with a very low mileage, an ex Motability car. I am pleased with the car, its performance is adequate...

Why did my Citroen C5's engine fail after the turbocharger was replaced?

At 32,000 miles and ten months out of warranty, the turbo bearing failed on my 1.6HDi Citroen C5. The turbo was replaced by an official Citroen repairer and the engine flushed twice as required by Citroen....

What is causing my Honda Civic Type S' battery to discharge in under a week?

I took delivery of a new petrol engined Honda Civic Type S on 28 April 2011 from Swansway Honda Rochdale with delivery mileage. Since then, when I've taken a week or more long holiday, upon my return the...

Do you recommend the Dacia Duster for towing a caravan?

My wife and I are looking at car and caravan combinations, and are considering something like a Skoda Octavia estate or a Dacia Duster to pull a caravan of up to 1200 kg. The manufacturers give quite a...

Which family car do you recommend which is stylish, economical and reliable?

I am considering our next family car. We have had a 2007 Honda Accord Sport GT diesel for four years and have enjoyed the good economy, stylish looks, fully loaded bells and whistles and excellent reliability....

Which car do you recommend for our 17-year-old son and how should we insure it?

My son will be 17 in June and his grandmother has offered to buy him a car to learn in and then to own. We live rurally in the Dales and most of his journeys will be a 22-mile round trip to our nearest...

Recommendation from Caffyns, Eastbourne for repairing my Volkswagen Golf.

I purchased a MkVI Volkswagen Golf from Caffyns, Eastbourne three years ago and they have serviced it ever since. They have always been courteous, efficient and very helpful. After the car came out of...

Why do we still need a physical tax disc?

Has there ever been an alternative suggested for the tax disc for cars and motorcycles? With all the advances of ANPR and even bar coding, do we need this pointless piece of paper? Notwithstanding the...

Which family MPV will be reliable and has room for three adults in the back seats?

Our 12-year-old Renault Kangoo is now on its last legs, our Hyundai i20 is too small as a main family car for two adults and three growing kids, and we no longer need two cars. I love the cavernous boot...

Is the SEAT Leon a better buy than the Audi A3?

I test-drove a new model Audi A3 recently. I didn't think it handled better than the Focus to be honest, but what a great engine the 1.4TFSI 122 is. Very diesel-like torque, no nasty lack of pull at really...

Which sporty car for my elderly mother?

My mum, well embarked on her 80s, has decided she 'wants a more sporty car' (don't ask). She is a strong willed lady, in full possession of her faculties and is currently driving a Toyota Yaris, which...

Which small diesel automatic should I select as a company car?

I am about to select a company car and, due to the number of miles that I will be travelling (14,000 or more a year) I am looking at a diesel, but if possible would like an automatic. This, combined with...

Why won't my dealer help with a pre-existing fault on my Ford Focus?

At the end of March I purchased a 2005 Ford Focus 2.0TDCI with 89,000 miles from a small independent dealer in South Croydon, with a oil change thrown in for good measure. Four days later I noticed that...

Early oil change - warranty implications?

Following your advice, I intend having the oil changed on my BMW X3 earlier than scheduled (1yr, 11k miles). Will having this work done by a non-franchised dealer affect my warranty? I'll insist on BMW...

Winter tyres for my Smart Cabrio?

I have recently bought a 2008 Smart Cabrio. The best fun car I have had in 30 years! Would it be worth investing in a set of steels and running on winter tyres next winter? Or would a set of all season...

Fitting smaller wheels to a Kia Rio?

What would be the correct size tyres and rims if I want to replace my Kia Rio 17 inch 4 stud alloys with 15 inch items - and could you suggest where to get them from? I am told this would improve the...

Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series Convertible?

I’m looking to buy a four seater convertible for about 6k (max). I’d love an automatic and I’ll be doing approx 20k miles pa. I’ve narrowed my choice down to either an Audi A4 2.5 TDI auto or BMW 318...

buying on a budget - what would you recommend?

My beloved Volvo V40 is on its last legs but as I am on a really tight budget of £10K max. what could you recommend that can accommodate a large dog - preferably without having to collapse the rear seats...

Replacing Smart Car?

My wife has enjoyed a Smart (now called fortwo) for the last 10 years but now needs an automatic 4 seat, 4/5 door small car to carry small grandchildren or older, less mobile pensioner friends. We need...

DCi 90 or TCe90 in my Captur?

I intend to replace my 2009 Nissan Note DCi with a Renault Captur. It ticks all the boxes for me. I do 10,000 miles pa a mix of short (4m) and medium (20m) journeys and occasional 60m journeys. Not had...

Fabia vRS is consuming too much oil

I own a 2011 Skoda Fabia VRS. The car was registered in January 2011. I purchased the car in May 2011. The car had done just over 1000 miles and had been own solely by the Leicester Skoda dealership (Farmers...

Smoky Chrysler Voyager

I have Chrysler Voyager diesel. When I start it in the morning it produces a lot of smoke. It goes away eventually.

Are Shell liable when the fuel pump cut out fails to work?

I was filling my car with diesel and noticed the pump was running very slowly. I was watching the dials on the pump when I heard a splashing noise, to find that the 'full tank' cut off on the pump was...

What rights against a private seller?

I've just bought a 71,000 mile 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT in an eBay auction. It was listed with a FSH. However, once I got it home I noticed that the gearbox whines and I see that it's never had the...

Should I change the timing chain on my 3 Series?

My local mechanic, who has been pretty good with my cars so far, is strongly suggesting that the timing chain be replaced now at its 150,000 mile service. The mechanic agrees that there are no obvious...

Buying a Passat replacement

I am about to replace my V Reg 1.9 TDI Volkswagen Passat, which has 250k on the clock. I have always liked the solidity of a Volkswagen. An estate would be good and I have £3-3.5K to spend. What are my...

Buying a new automatic hatchback with lots of extras.

I currently own a 2006 model Toyota Yaris T Spirit five-door with automated manual gearbox. Would like to replace it with similar car with same features. It must be automatic with keyless ignition, movable...

Is the dealer responsible for this Dacia problem?

I have had a few problem with my new Dacia - the most serious being the complete tow bar becoming loose when towing and causing damage to the rear bumper. The wrong nuts (not nylock) were fitted at the...

Replacing the ECU to increase power on a 105PS Leon?

I am interested in buying a Seat Leon Petrol Automatic - but I am not sure whether the available engine, which only has 105hp, would be powerful enough for me. It has been suggested that it might be possible...

Damage to new car prior to delivery - do I accept the car?

The evening before picking up my new vehicle (£30K worth!) the dealer called to say the valet had driven it into a wall and the bumper and wing will have to be replaced at the body-shop. What are my rights?...

Belt or chain cam on a Lexus CT200h?

Does the Lexus CT200h 1.8-litre engine have a chain or belt driven cam?

Mercedes-Benz won't replace my rusting tailgate

I have a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It has been serviced by Mercedes-Benz dealers to date and should be covered for Rust for 30 years. My problem - a corroded tailgate - was investigated by Tonbridge dealers...

How many gears in a Fusion auto 'box?

How many gears in a Ford Fusion 1.6 Zetec automatic gearbox?

Carrying bulbs in France when our car has Xenons.

We're off to France in a few weeks & we are required to carry a kit of replacement bulbs with us. This is all well & good except our Mk5 Golf has Xenon headlights - so how do we accommodate the need for...

Glow plug light not coming on?

I have been told by the Ford dealer the reason my glow plug light isn't coming on is that the weather is too warm. I looked for the fuse for the glow plug light but there were no connections in the space...

Long Warranty

I was surprised when I read your reply to letters stating Honda guaranteed their new 1.6 diesel engine for 1000000 kms or 10yrs in France and Spain. They must be very sure of this engine but why no such...

No need to 'simmer' a modern turbo after a long run?

I am the driver of a new Audi A6 diesel, which has stop-start. I was concerned about an abrupt engine stop after a long or hard drive, and emailed Audi to ask them about it. In their reply they say: "modern...

What hatch for less than £4000?

I am looking to replace my Y-reg Ford Focus 1.8 (130K miles) with something a bit more economical. I was considering the Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec but was worried about the reported turbo failure. I have also...

Driving an automatic car - why use neutral?

You mention the advantage of the Mercedes auto box is that the shifter can be moved from neutral to drive without pressing the brake pedal. I have covered well over 250,000 miles in a number of automatics...

Replacing a keyfob for a C-MAX?

I have a Ford C-Max (12 reg) purchased virtually new in October last year which is still under its 2 year warranty. I have lost one of the remote keys and need to get a replacement. The key fob has a...

Car tax and imported cars?

On reading on some of the comments regarding car road tax I came across mention that on an imported car the first registration date for the calculation of road tax was the date that it was registered...

Replacing a Mondeo - what with?

Need a replacement for Mondeo 2.2 diesel, 100k brilliant miles but suspension now shot due to worsening state of UK roads and "traffic calmers"! Looking for rugged compliant suspension, high profile tyres,...

Replacing a Volvo V70?

My parents have a diesel Volvo V70 estate 4WD. It is facing more costly repairs as bushes are wearing. They have a small farm shop and regularly carry or tow small loads 1/2 ton+ and tow a horse box occasionally....

Buying a small automatic crossover or MPV?

I have a BMW 118i M-Sport Auto. I need a modest sized car, length about the same but more space and ease of access for rapidly ageing parents. I would like to retain some of the BMW "feel" and the car...

Cam belt failed when a pump was replaced.

Had a repair for the diesel pump on my Audi A6 after the car broke down. Garage said on restarting the engine that cam belt went. On top of bill of approximately £2000 for pump repair am now faced with...

Using mismatched tyres - safe?

I was running with a new set of Michelin Energy Saver+ tyres (done 3000 miles). Unfortunately the sidewall ruptured on one of my tyres and the garage mentioned it was not repairable. Hence I had to replace...

Uncomfortable Suzuki Swift seats - can I replace them?

I have just bought a lovely Suzuki Swift Automatic 2008 which drives beautifully. Unfortunately the driver's seat and back is extremely hard. I have attached a padded seat (complete with padded back)...

Eolys fluid bag on 207

I am now facing the third replacement of the Eolys fluid bag on my Peugeot 207. This is a serious issue if I am to believe my Peugeot garage - this stuff is highly toxic and carcinogenic. Peugeot can...

Kia Carens specification confusion

I'm considering buying the new Kia Carens but have been thoroughly confused by the dealer and the Kia website which seem to contradict some of the Online reviews. Are you able to please confirm whether...