Car making a strange noise under acceleration

I have got a small problem with my Vauxhall Astra; while slow acceleration it makes a metallic klunk noise the from the engine. But under hard acceleration, it's fine. There is also no warning light or...

Front windscreen wipers won't work but motor is working

The wipers on my 2000 Skoda Fabia have stopped working. The motor is working and the lever inside car clicks when flicking it up as if it is trying to work but no power is getting to it. Any ideas?

What's the best small 4x4 auto?

My 83 year old father lives on a steep hill that is often snow covered or muddy. He doesn't want a big 4x4 and feels that even on winter tyres his current Skoda Yeti would struggle, it is also unreliable....

Should I buy a car without a service history?

Should I 2005 Peugeot 307 without a service history? The car in question has average mileage and the seller has factored in a lack of service history into the price.

Personalised numberplate lost after accident in France

Whilst on holiday in France in July of this year, my Jeep was hit by an 80 year old Frenchman who failed to stop at a cross roads. The insurance company decided that it wasn’t worth repairing and declared...

Do I need insurance to park/move a person's car?

What insurance do I need to drive other people's cars as part of a business? The amount of actual driving would be more yards than miles and minutes more that hours, such as moving or parking a client's...

Should I fit mud flaps to my new Audi Q3?

I have purchased a new Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI Automatic in Glacier White. Can you recommend any additional items to retrospectively fit to the car? What is your view of fitting mud flaps (I don't off-road) so...

What are the servicing intervals for a motorhome?

I am to take delivery soon of a newly registered motorhome based on a Ford 2.2 diesel engine and chassis. It is an old model and is between one and two years old, although only having done delivery miles....

Winter tyre advice needed for Vauxhall Vectra owner

I have a Vauxhall Vectra diesal Estate 1.9 CDTi 16V (2008 model). It runs on 225 45 R18 95Y XL tyres and I want to purchase winter tyres and have seen online deals for wheels and tyres size 205 55 R16...

Buying from a broker - what should I watch out for?

I'm looking at purchasing a new car outright from an online broker. They inform me that I will be the registered first keeper, although the VC5 will be in my name (care of) and the address will be that...

Need a small 4x4 car - what do you recommend?

After several years of excellent motoring it’s time to move on and replace my Audi A6 Avant 3.0 SE quattro. I normally make at least a couple of motoring trips to the Alps in the winter and have found...

Supermarket fuel vs independent suppliers - which is best?

Last week you advised against supermarket petrol. I have long been confused about this issue. I have been told by one chap who was 23 years in the oil industry that refineries supply to large numbers of...

Buying a Porsche Macan - petrol or diesel?

I'm thinking of buying a new Porsche Macan, but can't decide between petrol or diesel powertrains. What do you recommend?

Vauxhall insignia engine emission filter flashing light

My Vauxhall Insignia emission filter light is constantly flashing. At first the light came on with 'code 55'. I researched this and did as advised by driving over 2000 revs to clear it. The code 55 disappeared...

Best small/city car £4500?

My girlfriend needs a small/city car to replace her ageing Ford Ka. She has £4000 to spend plus whatever she can get for her Ka (circa £500). I'm thinking of a 2012 Chevrolet Spark with around 10,000 miles....

Can you recommend a five-door automatic for low mileage?

In the past we have had and been pleased with the Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift (current car). Both have been fully automatic (not tip-tronic which we dislike). For our next car we want something similar,...

Recourse to a dealer for a car sold with accident damage?

I purchased a five year old Renault Sport Megane R26R in October 2014 from a well-known Renault Specialist. The car was sold with full service history, new MoT and had 44,000 miles on the clock. Since...

What second hand luxury cars can you suggest for 15k?

I either require a small fast sports cars or a large luxury 4x4 or sports saloon. What do you suggest for £15,000?

Stop-start problems with new Honda CR-V

I have a new Honda CR-V, with 5000 miles on the clock. Is it normal for the stop-start not to work and the low battery sign to come on?

Buying a Audi Q5 - petrol or diesel?

I am considering the Audi Q5 as my next new car. I got a really nice offer from my local Audi dealer (11 per cent off the list price) but I can't decide which engine I should go for, 2.0 diesel or 2.0...

Need a small and comfortable car - what do you suggest?

My wife has recently had a double hip replacement, and now finds her 2006 Vauxhall Corsa uncomfortable on longish journeys. I want replace it with something that has a higher entry and more upright driving...

Need to replace my Citroen BX - what do you recommend?

I run a 27-year-old Citroen BX diesel but it is now very frail and parts are a problem. What alternative, reliable old diesels would you recommend for the home mechanic on a budget?

Has my Peugeot 308 got a timing chain problem?

A few days ago a message "Depollution system faulty" appeared on the dashboard screen of my Peugeot 308. The "engine block" warning symbol was also on. As a precaution my local garage did a code check...

Is my Range Rover susceptible to keyless theft?

After debating about buying a soft top (and seeking your input) I have swapped my trusted Land Rover Discovery for a 2014 Range Rover Sport. I am very happy with it but I have two questions you may be...

Oil consumption problems with recently purchased Audi

Last week we bought a 2009 Audi A5 from a dealer. When we collected it the digital oil gauge registered as half full. Over the weekend we clocked up 100 (gentle) miles as we acclimatised ourselves to it...

Audi Q5 tyre blowout - should the dealer pay for repairs?

My daughter had a blow out at 60mph on a new (1 month old) Audi Q5 on 20-inch wheels. Blowout was immediate and just before a slip road where she came to a halt. Only the wheel and a little part of the...

Non-starting automatic - how can I fix it?

I'm having problems starting my mk2 (1979) Honda Civic 1.6 Auto. Sometimes, when I turn the ignition key the starter motor fails to turnover. All ignition lights are illuminated. I move the auto gear...

How can we stop people parking in our carr park?

We have a small private car park for use by staff of several companies in our building. People unconnected with our building are parking and preventing legitimate users finding a space. There is a right...

What determines whether a car is roadworthy?

I recently purchased a very expensive used car privately. I inspected all the documents and the car as thoroughly as possible, however as a low riding sports car I was unable to check underneath. The three...

What's best for towing - diesel or petrol?

I am due to change my car next year and will also be buying a caravan that will weigh about 1500kg. Therefore, I need something that is fairy economical when not towing and comfort is a priority. I plan...

Car damaged in accident, but driver denies involvement - what can I do?

A van hit my car while stationary recently. An independent witness saw the incident and gave me the van's licence plate. The van's telematics show that it was on the street on which my car was parked at...

Volkswagen Golf suffering from clutch judder

I have recently purchased a 2012 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDi with 18,000 miles on the clock. Since driving it regularly I have noticed significant vibration through the clutch (particularly in lower gears)....

Mitsubishi Shogun won't engage gears - what's the fault?

Yesterday my 2002 Mitsubishi Shogun was running absolutely fine. Today, I came out and the gears felt a little stiff. Now I cannot get it into drive at all. Any ideas?

Does the Skoda Octavia vRS suffer from a tough ride?

I am thinking of changing my 2013 Skoda Octavia Elegance 2.0 diesel with 17-inch wheels for a vRS version. Will the ride be worse on the new car because of the lowered suspension and 18-inch wheels?

Need a practical and fun car for £12k - what do you recommend?

I need to replace my faithful, practical, but dull, 14 year old, 70,000 mile Mazda Demio Escape, which was very well suited to its main task of lots of short journeys with two people and a large dog. I...

New Car Fuel Economy - will it ever improve?

I have a 2014 Skoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI CR 170PS DSG, which I took delivery of in September 2014. Since then I have clocked up over 7000 miles and have averaged brim to brim 41mpg (worst 38 and best...

When should I change the oil in my Astra?

After much deliberation I've finally changed my less than impressive Toyota Auris diesel for a new Vauxhall Astra. I decided to get the new 1.6 CDTI whisper diesel, which is proving to be a fantastic engine...

Do I need winter tyres for my Land Rover Discovery?

We live three miles up a forest track and own a Land Rover Discovery 3 with 235/70R17 tyres. I want to fit winter tyres, preferably on steel wheels, but have been told Land Rover doesn’t make steel wheels...

Local garage has damaged my car - what are my rights?

I took my 2006 Ford Focus into a local garage to change two tyres. However, when I collected the car I found that the gear stick had shifted to the right. As a result, reverse was where 1st was, 1st and...

Faulty used car - should Nissan refund me?

We recently purchased a car from a Nissan dealer without seeing it on the assumption they sell top quality cars. However when the car was delivered it had loads of marks and scratches on it. I contacted...

Need a car with three large rear seats

My son has a two year old child and has just had twins. He now needs a new car that will fit three child seats. But the choice of car seems to be very limited. His budget is around £7500. Any suggestions?

Peugeot 308 fuel consumption - why is it so poor?

Have you had any feedback from owners of the new Peugeot 308 regarding fuel consumption? I have just taken delivery of an Allure 2.0 Blue HDI Automatic and for the first 1000 miles it has crept to an average...

Clio won't start - do I need a new battery?

My Renault Clio (2009) will not start. It will jump-start with cables, though, but does not retain its charge. It is absolutely dead, so much so that I am unable to lock the doors electronically with the...

BMW 3 Series - why has the engine light come on?

My 2010 BMW 3 Series diesel has done just over 30,000 miles and the engine function light (Orange) is displayed intermittently. My Independent Garage has run a full diagnostic test and is not really sure...

Peugeot 406 diesel smoking and misfiring when cold

When the engine is cold in a morning, my 1999 Puegeot 406 2.2 diesel misfires and blows clouds of blue smoke. It eventually clears, but this is happening quite regularly. I have had the injectors tested...

How can I fight a fraudulent insurance claim?

A couple of months ago our car was involved in a minor collision when another driver approaching at speed from behind ran into the back of it. Our car had just left a roundabout having previously signalled...

What's the correct pressure for a winter tyre?

I recently had four winter tyres and steel rims fitted to my B-Class by a Mercedes-Benz dealer as per their suggestion. However, I found the noise they produce to be much higher than normal tyres and much...

Unfair traffic penalty - can I appeal?

A friend of mine is the co-ordinator of a monthly entertainment event which takes place in a chain coffee shop in Leeds. The cafe is located on a pedestrianised street in the city centre, and my friend...

Need a cheap family car with low running costs

My father is looking to replace his 2003 Ford Focus next year. Previously he's always had cheap used cars, but I'm trying to persuade him to get something slightly better this time. However, he's not willing...

What's the best automatic car for £1500?

I have an absolute maximum of £1500 to buy a used car with. I need an auto, but don't have a lot of spare money to spend on maintaining the car. I would like comfort and have been looking at Mercedes-Benz...