When should I change the oil in my SEAT Leon TSI?

I own a SEAT Leon ST 1.4 TSI. I bought it 10 months ago and have covered 9300 miles. The service book is stamped 'longlife service', stating it does not need an oil change until 20,000 miles or two years....

Buying a reliable estate - Mondeo or A6?

I am thinking of buying an estate and am interested in the Ford Mondeo and Audi A6 Avant. Apart from the £8000 difference in purchase price, which is the better car?

Need a used car that will fit three child seats - any suggestions?

We need to buy a car that fits three child car seats across the back. We quite like the Nissan Qashqai+2 but are not sure which model to go for. We have £10k to spend and will only be using it for short...

Why does my Focus suffer from poor handling?

My recently purchased Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI on 235/40/ZR 18-inch Michelin pilot Sport 3 tyres has a tendency to tramline made worse by the increased thickness of white lines.The car has done 9000 miles and...

Volkswagen Golf - why is the emission light on?

I have recently bought a 2001 Volkswagen Golf and the emission light has come on Do you think this is the exhaust? It started flashing, then stayed solid, then when I started the car it went off, comes...

Can I reject my car over its replacement engine?

I have recently bought a two year old Vauxhall Corsa from a major national dealer. The car had some technical difficulties - which the dealer was failing to repair - so I asked my local mechanic to examine...

Buying a new 3 Series - which wheel size is best for comfort?

I am thinking of buying a new BMW 3 Series (320i) saloon. The Luxury version of this model is only available with 18-inch wheels fitted with 225/45 tyres whereas the SE model comes as standard with 17-inch...

Vauxhall Corsa warning light

Which light should come on for an ECU fault on a 2006 Vauxhall Corsa? I have the yellow spanner light on and have been told I need a new ECU (£850). The car is only reaching 3000 revs but everthing else...

When should I change the cam belt on my T5?

My 2012 Volkswagen T5 camper has done 20,000 miles in four years. Cars with the same engine have a five year or 140,000 mile cam belt change, yet Volkswagen commercial insist it should be four years whatever...

Peugeot 308 SW fault code - *Engine fault risk of filter clogging*

My Peugeot 308 SW (2012 model) has a problem. When I start up it flashes as *Engine fault risk of filter clogging*. I've had the car serviced and a fault code - P1435 multiplexed additive pump fault...

Why is my A5 so difficult to drive?

My Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI S-Line Special Edition is 16 months old and has 6500 miles on the clock. It has 19-inch alloys and low profile 255/35 ZR19 Continental Contisport Contact 5P tyres. In the...

Is the Skoda 1.4 TSI an unreliable engine?

We are looking at buying a 2012 Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI but have read that the engine has been recalled due to a problem with the cam/chain belt resulting in engine failure. What is your understand of the...

Why can't I transfer my service plan?

In 2015 I bought an Audi A1 ex-demonstrator from a local dealership. The car was sold with a five-year service plan. A few months after the first yearly service the car was involved in an accident and...

Buying a Nissan Qashqai - petrol or diesel?

I want to buy a new Nissan Qashqai with two-wheel drive. It must be automatic and be reliable as I plan to keep it for at least five years. Which engine will be best for economy and reliability - petrol...

Why are nearly new cars so cheap?

There are quite a few 2015 B Max cars available with very low mileage spread across different garages in the country eg: a 1.4 Zetec (my preference) with 151 miles on for £10,980 which is at least £2000...

What's the best petrol SUV for £30k?

I'm looking for a mid-size SUV with a petrol engine, autobox and on demand four-wheel drive. I also want 17-inch wheels and a boot big enough for two full size suitcases. What do you recommend for £30k?

How can I improve my XF Sportbrake's bumpy ride?

I have never been happy with the bumpy ride in my Jaguar XF Sportbrake and now I need to replace all four tyres. Please could you recommend the best tyres to give a softer ride?

Car batteries

hiya, it has been said to me that a car battery is simply a car battery and theres not much to choose between them.Is this true?, is their an advantage by paying extra for lifetime guarantees??. Thanks

Shell V Power Nitro+

Hi John, I've enjoyed your website and insight on matters motoring for some time; we occassionally differ (I love my DSG gearbox for example) but its good to get a fresh perspective. In all honesty...

Buying a new smaller (Polo to Golf size) automatic car for older person - what would you recommend?

Looking for advice on buying a new small to medium size 5 door auto car to keep for 7 years or so. Fundamental characteristic - total reliability and good dealer more important than finish, looks, kit,...

Need a car with easy access - what do you recommend?

I am in my late 70s and it finding difficult getting in and out of my car. You have recommended Volkswagen Golf SV, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Mazda CX-5 for people similar to ourselves. Are there...

Should I repair small dents before part-exchanging?

My son has owned a Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTD since 2009, which has 48,000 miles from new. It is a 2007 plate car and until two weeks ago was in very good condition. He was looking to change his car and putting...

Clutch slip on Peugeot 3008

The clutch on our Peugeot 3008 (EGC gearbox) slips when put under medium acceleration or tackling hills fourth or above. Is there any means of checking that the clutch is fully releasing, is the mechanism...

Which SUV is best for MPG?

There are as yet no Real MPG figures for this car. I understand it's based on the Nissan Qashqai in terms of engines and chassis. The Qashqai models seem almost identical in Real MPG terms so is it reasonable...

Skoda Yeti steering column making clicking noise

I own a Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI and there is a clicking noise which manifests itself on extreme lock. This is intermittent and only started at 1400 miles. The dealer says it's normal, and they will therefore...

Does the new polo diesels engine originate from an Audi A2?

I use to own an Audi A2 three-cylinder 1.4TDI which I absolutely loved. The engine was sporty sounding and despite its low power felt remarkably swift. I read recently that the revised Volkswagen Polo...

Intermittent indicator fault

I have a Saab estate and the indicator intermittently stops working. What do you think is the cause to this fault?

Buying a used SUV - petrol or diesel?

I'm looking to replace my Volkswagen Golf GTI Estate, which I really enjoy driving. I am thinking of a used Nissan Qashqai or a Hyundai ix35 but seem only to find diesel models .Do you think diesel cars...

What's causing my diesel Focus to rattle so much?

I own a Ford Focus from 2008, with the 1.6 diesel engine. A while back I started hearing some strange noises from the engine. These noises are similar to what you hear on a car with a faulty DMF, a rattle...

Faulty gearbox on C-Class

Two years ago I purchased an "Approved Used" Mercedes C180 for my wife, the vehicle less than one year old, approx. 12,000 miles. On multiple occasions through following two years (between 5 and 10 I estimate)...

Garage has destroyed my father's car - what should he do?

My father recently used a small independent garage (that he had used for many years) to replace the cambelt on his Renault Modus. When the car was initially returned, there was a noticeable ticking sound...

Superfuels

You have advised using high octane fuel such as Shell V Power Nitro. However motoring writer Laura Thomson has advised that although premium grade fuel contains useful additives for cleaning the engine,...

Should I buy a high mileage diesel?

I have been looking at ex-company cars (Astra, Focus, Megane etc) all diesel, under five years old, full history and just over 100,000 miles. My main concern is clutch problems (particularly with the Focus)...

Can I retrofit xenon headlights to my Mondeo?

I own a 2005 Ford Mondeo ST220 05. Is it possible to retrofit xenon headlights to this model?

Can you give me some advice on maintenance?

You recently provided some advice when asked if I should part-ex my 2 1/2 yr old Focus 1.6 tdci Zetec S for a new 1.0 Ecoboost on account of my car's advancing age and my decreased annual mileage (around...

Buying a write off - is it worth the risk?

Is it ever worth buying a write off? I've been looking at a Category C Ford Fiesta that seems very good value. It has had two MoT passes since the write off. Is it still a big risk?

Does the Mk2 Audi TT have a timing belt or can chain?

I have owned an Audi TT from new in 2008. In Jan 2013 when booking the service I enquired whether the timing belt needed replacing as it was five years old (35k). The dealer advised that the Mk2 had a...

Does the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer use MINI engines?

I have just bought a BMW 218d Active Tourer registered in July 2015. However, after reading your Backroom forum, I have discovered the issues with the MINI Cooper engines and awful timing chain design...

Ford Focus leaking water but deal won't help - what should I do?

We bought our Ford Focus from new 16 months ago. Recently we noticed the footwells and the spare tyre in the bootwell had taken in water. We contacted our dealership whom said this was nothing to do with...

Which is the best used buy - Mondeo or 3 Series?

I have a 2007 Ford Mondeo diesel and I want to replace it with a used car. Should I get another Mondeo - 2010 model - or go for a BMW 3 Series diesel from 2006 or 2007?

Water ingress in front passenger footwell

I am experiencing water ingress into the passenger front footwell of my 2013 SEAT Leon. I only noticed it when cleaning the carpet after our holiday as the carpet is covered by a floor mat as well, so...

Turbo problems with Volvo V50 - what's the cause?

I have a 2009 model Volvo V50 1.6 Drive SE (90,000 miles) which has developed turbo problems which I gather is common with this engine due to carbon buildup etc. I love the car but cannot afford to keep...

Should I buy a high mileage Hyunaia Santa Fe?

I'm thinking of buying a 2010 Hyundia Santa Fe 2.2 Preimium CRDI. It has 141,000 miles on the clock and a full service history with one owner. The price is really good - under £7000 - but a few friends...

How can I tell if air con needs re-gassing?

I bought a 1996 Hyundai Excel the air con doesn't work how can I tell if it just needs re-gassing or if something else is wrong with it?

Buying a used Ford S-MAX - which engine is best for economy?

I would like to buy a Ford S-MAX petrol. Could you advise which engine is the better buy. I have always thought the 2.3 engine was uneconomical, and not a powerful as the straight 2.0-litre. Which unit...

Mazda 2 remote locking problems

The remote locking on my 2011 Mazda 2 is acting up and I have to press the key several times to lock and to unlock the car. The battery for one of the keys was changed a couple of months ago at the last...

Jaguar XE or BMW 4 Series - which will be the most reliable?

I'm considering buying a petrol sports saloon and am thinking of either a Jaguar XE or a BMW 4 Series. I plan to keep the car for a long time, 10 years plus, but have some concerns on the reliability of...

Mercedes CLS engine noise

There is an intermittent change of engine note on my 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CDI. Normally the engine is silent when slowly progressing through the gears but about every two weeks the engine noise will...

Motorhome leaking water - can I reject it?

I purchased a motorhome in 2015. I've covered less than 1000 miles in it, but am having problems with the roof. Basically, the roof holds water and - when you move the motor home - the water pours into...

Do 2011 Audi A4s have a clutch issue?

My car, which is a 2011 Audi A4 2.0 TDi SE Technik 136 4dr, has just had its MOT. Everything was fine except that the tester stated that the clutch was showing signs of wear. The car was registered in...