BMW 218d and 220d - what's the difference?

What is the difference between the BMW 218d and the 220d? Is it just the engine mapping? Can't they both be remapped to run the same power?

Buying a Saab 9-3 - what can go wrong?

A pal of mine is relocating abroad and is selling his 2005 plate Saab 9-3 convertible for £4000. It’s done 75,000 miles, rides extremely tightly for its age and is in pretty good nick for a nine year old...

Buying a used city car - what's best?

I want to buy a used city car for my 20 year old daughter. Reliability and economy is important, otherwise I will be paying for all of the repairs. What do you recommend for £4-6k and £6-9k?

Rusty wing on Golf – should this be covered under 10 year corrosion warranty?

I own a 2006 Volkswagen Golf with a 10 year corrosion warranty. However, I have noticed rust under the wheel arch and Volkswagen is saying it is not covered by the warranty. Apparently the rust is caused...

Can I fit runflats to my BMW 1 Series?

I have recently purchased a BMW 118d cabriolet on sensible 16-inch wheels with 205 55 16 tyres. These are not run flats but I do not trust the tyre repair and inflation kit to work and know that you have...

What's the most comfortable car on the market?

We are looking for a diesel estate that gives us a comfortable journey as well as good fuel economy and reliability. What do you recommend?

Mitsubishi ASX - when should I change the oil?

Would you recommend a mid-service mileage oil and filter change for the Mitsubishi ASX diesel engine at 4500 miles?

When should I change the cam belt on my Audi TT?

Can you tell me when I should replace the cam belt on my Audi TT? The dealership are advising it needs changing now as it is five years old - is this correct?

Will Vauxhall pay to fix my old Corsa?

I own a 2000 Vauxhall Corsa. Do you know if Vauxhall has ever admitted to a water ingress build fault with this model? I bought my car last year and have noticed that water has started to leak into the...

Will my car be written off?

I own a 2006 Peugeot 307 CC. recently, someone drove into the side of my car and it has started making a loud noise. I contacted my insurer – who had the car inspected by a garage – and I have been told...

Centre console discolour on Nissan Juke

I am having a problem with the centre console on my six month old Nissan Juke. The paint has started to bubble and discolour. I have returned it to my local dealer, but Nissan has rejected my warranty...

Ford Galaxy - which models have a DPF?

I would like to purchase a Ford Galaxy diesel. Can you tell me which models don't have DPFs and does the Galaxy switch from torque converter to DMF at any point?

Buying a new Jaguar - should I go for new or used?

I am considering buying a Jaguar and have about £30,000 to spend. However, I can’t decide on which model (new or used) to buy. Which would you recommend a new XF or a used XJ?

Air con not working on Volkswagen Passat - what's the fault?

My 2003 Volkswagen Passat Estate is suffering from air con problems. It refuses to cool, even after a gas top up. Any suggestions?

Volkswagen Golf - why is the emissions light on?

Can you tell me why the emission light keeps switching on my 2004 Volkswagen Golf?

Peugeot 207 CC making a rattling noise

My wife’s Peugeot 207 CC has started making a terrible rattle from the rear when the roof is up. We took it to the local dealership for inspection and they put some sound proofing in, but the fault persists....

Buying a used saloon - Honda Accord or Peugeot 508?

I am looking to spend £10,000 on a comfortable reliable saloon. I don't fancy the rear-wheel drive of a BMW and am considering a 2009 Honda Accord (petrol or diesel) or a 2012 Peugeot 508 diesel. I drive...

Best small automatic for £3000?

Which small automatic would you recommend for £3000? It must have five-doors and be suitable for town driving.

Audi A5 clutch failure - can I keep the old part?

My Audi A5 2.0 TDI is still under warranty and is suffering problems. The garage found suspected clutch slip and at a total cost to myself (£2187) have replaced it. The car did not show usual signs of...

2013 B max keeps having a timing fault, car loses power dangerous on motorways, no indications on dash, 4 times

New Bmax 2013 4 times since purchase last year loss of power when using car ie suddenly 30 mph on motorway cos engine protecting itself, bristol street says its a timing problem but car computer not showing...

Why is my Focus blowing blue smoke?

I own a 1998 ford focus 2.0 petrol, it's done 144,000 miles and over the past six months it has started to blow out lots of blue. I think it may be the valve stem oil seals, any idea how much this would...

Which E-Class offers the best ride comfort?

I'm hoping to buy a 2 or 3 year old Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible for low mileage, fair weather driving. I like the write ups for the 350 diesel engine but the sport suspension sounds hard and I want...

What's the best car for a driving instructor?

My wife is a driving instructor and is considering replacing her three year old Toyota Yaris (petrol). Most driving instructors appear to use diesel cars but with the inevitable short journeys and stop/starts...

What car should I buy for £6500?

I have a budget of around £6500 to buy a used car. I need something that is fun to drive everyday, reliable, nimble, cruiser on motorways and good mpg and tax. So far I have looked at: Honda Civic 1.8...

Should I use supermarket fuel?

Other than the increased octane rating, does Tesco Momentum U/L have any other advantages over their basic U/L and how does it compare with Shell Fuelsave U/L?

Vauxhall Astra - why is the oil warning light on?

The oil warning light has started illuminating on my 2004 Vauxhall Astra. It comes on intermittently when stationary at traffic lights and goes off immediately when I start driving. I have checked the...

Buying a used car with high mileage - what do you recommend?

I'm being forced out of my company car and need to buy my own. My budget is £7000 and I'm looking for a 2009 onwards high spec Ford Mondeo or Honda Accord diesel. At this money each will have 100k miles...

Used car needs £12k repairs – can I reject it?

I recently bought a used Audi RS6 from a dealer. Three months after purchase, I had it serviced and checked over by a local garage, who tell me it needs £12,000 spending on it. The car only cost me £10,000,...

Mitsubishi Outlander - does it suffer with DPF problems?

Can you tell me if the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 diesel suffer with DPF problems?

Can you recommend a used pick-up?

I am looking for 2004-2005 pick-up 4x4 to use on my land to get animal feed etc. Which make and model would you recommend?

Buying a used family car for £10k - what's best?

I'm looking to replace my 2008 Citroen C5 Tourer. I do about 15,000 miles per year now and want a medium size, reliable replacement with reasonable performance and economy. I've got about £10,000 to spend....

Is my local garage saving me money or cutting corners?

My Hyundai i30 diesel is now out of warranty. The independent garage who will service it tells me that it is not necessary to change coolant and brake fluid. They will check boiling point of fluid and...

Can I convert my Golf to a single flywheel?

I have a 2000 Volkswagen Golf 1.9TDI. The dual mass flywheel/clutch needs replacing - what's your thoughts on converting to single flywheel?

Can you recommend a small car with a bright interior?

My wife is looking for a new city car - she's seen the Toyota Aygo, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Up, but is frustrated at not being able to find an interior that is bright in colour - too much grey and black....

When is the new Transit available?

When does the new 2014 Ford Transit hit the showrooms and more importantly what's it like to drive?

Citroen C5 Tourer - which wheels drive the mileometer?

Do you know which wheels drive the mileometer on a Citroen C5 Tourer? Is it the front or rear?

Which Volkswagen Golf is best?

Which Volkswagen would be better for us: - A Golf Mk6 TDI 105 Match (2012) 14000 miles £13000 Or - A Golf Mk7 TSI 85 S 14000 miles (2013)£12500 We will cover 15,000 miles a year on hilly rural roads....

Audi A3 diesel - does it suffer DPF problems?

I am looking at a new Audi A3 diesel, can you tell me if this car has any DPF problems? And is it ok for regular short trips?

BMW X1 - when should I change the oil?

My local BMW garage tells me I will not need to change the oil in the X1 for two years. Is this correct?

What are the best tyres for a Rover 75 Estate?

What tyres do you recommend for a 2002 Rover 75 Estate?

Where's the best place to fit a space saver?

My mum has just had a flat tyre on the front on her Jaguar X-Type. She called the AA and asked them to fit the space saver spare to the back and fit the back wheel to the front, but he refused. I am...

Faulty car - can I demand a refund?

I bought a used Mazda MX5 three months ago from a dealer. The car had just 65 miles on clock and was just a couple of months old. The franchised dealer told me it was a former demo car. Since then it has...

Should I buy a high mileage Fiesta?

I'm keen to buy a Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi to commute 18,000 miles a year. I've found quite a few 2012 plate examples in a decent spec well within my price range, however they are mostly between the 40-50k...

Rust and water ingress on new car - should I reject it?

I recently bought a new Suzuki S-Cross and on collection day I noticed a small area of rust on the edge of one of the panels, which looked like it had been missed when the car was being spray-painted at...

Clutch judder on Golf - what's the fault?

Very occasionally I experience severe clutch judder in my 2005 Volkswagen Golf when pulling away in 1st gear, generally after stop/start driving in heavy traffic for 30 mins plus. Higher revs allow a smooth...

In car cameras - which one should I get?

Considering purchasing an in car camera. Which is best. Roadhawk or Smartwitness & which model has most features? Also where to fit in Volvo V60 with CitySafe kit under mirror?

Car with digital speed display - do any small hatchbacks have it ?

I have a 2005 Yaris with digital speed display, which is so much easier to glance at quickly than gauging the position of a needle on a dial. (Most dials do not even have 30mph as a major line). I want...

Disputing a parking ticket - what should we do?

My daughter received a parking ticket in Leeds late last year for £50. The ticket machine was out of order at the time which the car park admit, but they say she should have found another machine or rung...

Water leak - can you help?

When it rains heavily, the passenger foot well carpet becomes saturated and I am unable to locate where it is getting in, the under seat storage compartment has also been wet. This is occurring when the...

Audi 2.3 Cabriolet Reliability

I am looking at what appears to be a fairly honest 1992 Audi Cabriolet 2.3 e. Do you have any guidance regarding the reliability of that model. Also, are there any gotchas associated with that engine,...