How long should I keep my classic car?

I am 65 years old and have owned my Jensen Healey since 1977. It is just starting to increase in value due to it's rarity.I am considering selling in the next couple of years and would like to replace...

Volkswagen emissions fix has affected my car

I had the 'fix' last month but since then there's a horrible rattle in engine when it's changing up between 2 and 4. Volkswagen say I need to pay for a diagnostic test and if it shows that it is due to...

All season tyres - do I need to change all four wheels?

In order to find all season tyres my local tyre supplier has suggested using a tyre size (235/55 18) which is slightly different from standard (225/60 18 Dunlop Grantrek M&S) on my Honda CR-V. The plan...

Efficient petrol car for high annual mileage - what do you recommend?

I'm looking to replace my 2006 Honda Civic 1.8 with a petrol car that does similar MPG or ideally better with similar power. I currently get 45 MPG, so would like to get a minimum 45-55 real world MPG....

Need a congestion charge friendly car - suggestions?

My wife needs a car that can travel through London's Congestion Charge Zone with no fee as it will be a daily journey, which will also be used for work post the commute racking up approx. 100 miles per...

After a used car on a budget of £4K?

I've a budget of £4K and looking for a car that would be suitable for around 24000 miles per annum. Also needs to have enough space for a peak, two children and occasionally the family dog. Any suggestions...

Buying a new Motability car - what would you recommend?

I'm about to buy new Motability car and fancy a BMW X1. Which is better for everyday use and average/low mileage - The xDrive 25d M Sport automatic or xDrive 20i M Sport automatic.

What's the whining noise coming from my engine?

I have a 2014 Volvo XC60 D5 AWD SE Lux automatic with 20k on the clock. Over the past few weeks I can hear a whining noise behind the normal engine noise which is much more noticeable when the engine is...

Where can I find rear headrests for a Nissan Micra?

A good friend of mine has just bought a 2002 Nissan Micra. This came without head-restraints on the rear seats, and she's been told by a dealer that no models of this series were fitted with them. Given...

Buying a used family car with loads of room - suggestions?

We're looking for something that will take 3 child seats across the back and has loads of space to take camping gear, cases, etc. Most runs are a few miles, but generally once a week I do a 25 miles each...

What's the most reliable seven seater?

I have £10k to replace an old Zafira. Should I go for the newest Zafira I can get for this or a slightly older Volkswagen Touran or Toyota Verso. The car gets quite a hard life with four kids clambering...

DPF problems with BMW 1 Series

I have a 59 plate BMW 1 Series 118d. For the past few weeks the DPF light has been coming on after about 10 mins after driving. My local garage says the DPF is block and needs replacing. I asked if they...

Does my car have a DMF and will it need replacing?

I previously owned a BMW 530d manual whose Dual Mass Flywheel failed at around 90,000 miles. My current 530d has the (excellent) 8-speed auto box - does this mean that the car will not have a DMF?

New car has faults - where do I stand?

I have just bought 2011 Kia Cee'd from a non Kia dealership with a full MOT with no advisories. I bought the car 2 weeks ago. I contacted the garage for what sounds like a duff wheel bearing and they have...

Which used estate is best?

I am looking to buy an estate up to three years old and up to 30k mileage. I have up to £16,000 to spend. At the moment the car would be used for mostly short journeys in stop start traffic - I do about...

Poor customer service from Hertz

I booked a Hertz Prestige BMW 2 Series Active Tourer several months in advance (the idea is that you get that type of car with leather seats etc) but I ended up being given a fairly basic Cactus. Hertz...

What's the best replacement for a Honda CR-V?

I want to change my 2009 79K miles Honda CR-V manual petrol. I like the raised driving position, 4x4 is useful at times and the large boot is handy but I am now looking for an automatic. I only do about...

How much is a DPF replacement?

How much will a DPF replacement cost for my 2010 Renault Grand Scenic?

In-car service reminders - do manufacturers set them?

Can car manufacturers force a visit to dealer to reset service reminder? I'm told I need it resetting at a main dealer even though there is the procedure in the owners handbook saying how to do it. The...

Should the dealer repair or should I reject?

I recently purchased a used Citroen DS3 THP 1.6. It is a 2012 (61) model with just 15,000 miles. Unfortunately within 2 weeks of ownership, the EML light came on and it has a couple of other issues (erratic...

Is a £4000 repair bill acceptable for a 11 year old car?

I purchased a BMW 645i from a BMW main dealer in May 2005. It has been maintained by them ever since at the required intervals. Recently I have just had the car into the garage and have ended up with a...

What's a suitable reliable upgrade from a Honda Accord?

I've owned a 2005 diesel Honda Accord Tourer since new. I'm thinking of upgrading it to a more recent 2010 model Accord Tourer. I'm concerned that this has a DPF on it and with reliability & running costs...

I like the new Mondeo - what's the best engine choice for a 60-mile each way motorway commute?

I like the new Mondeo and want the best engine choice for a 60-mile each way motorway commute. The 1.5 TDCi ECONETEC offers best fuel economy, but Ford dealers are pushing the 2.0 TDCi as more flexible....

Car not of a satisfactory quality. What are my rights?

To mark my wife's 50th birthday in April 2015 she decided to buy a Mini. After test driving a Main Dealer Demonstrator, I she purchased it with 3500 miles on 22 May 2015. She has experienced many problems...

Problem with used car after just a week - can I claim on the warranty?

I bought a second-hand Volkswagen Golf with full service history for £3445, I have only had the car for a week and done less than 20 miles in it. The problem is the clutch it makes a grinding noise when...

Late service on car I'm interested in buying - should I still go for it?

I'm interested in buying a 2013 Peugeot 5008 1.6 THP. It was last serviced at 25000m in Feb 2015, and has now done 46000m. The selling dealer is offering to service it, but I'm concerned about the fact...

Car stopped while driving and struggling to turn its engine - is it seized?

My car suddenly stopped (seemed like it stalled) with no warning lights or noises. The AA suggest seized engine as can't jump start and the starter won't manually move. Any ideas if it could be anything...

Tyre pressures - should they be increased for driving at speed?

I have read with interest your recommendation that tyre pressures be dropped by 3psi for comfort. Yet I remember when you recommended that for long distance, high speed, well loaded travel in a hot climate...

Clutch issue on used car - should the warranty cover it?

We have a two year old Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost purchased 6 months ago from a Ford dealer which has a heavy clutch at 36,000 miles. Our local dealer accepts it is heavy, but want me to pay cost to inspect which...

I'm after a convertible with lots of storage?

I have an old Volvo C70. I use the back seats a lot for luggage space. I want another convertible with as much luggage space as possible. What do I want?

Scraping noise from my Kia Cee'd - what could it be?

I noticed a scratching-scraping noise from the front of my Kia Cee'd, probably nearside. The engine is ticking fine (petrol 1.6) and it only happens in first or second gear (or in reverse) at very low...

Focus EcoBoost or SEAT Leon TSI - which is best?

My dilemma is a choice of second family car, between a Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.0 125 Zetec or SEAT Leon 1.2 TSI. It would be either new or under 1 year old. Ignoring the price (they are very similar), can...

Skoda Fabia - is the timing chain reliable?

We are looking at a Fabia Estate as a future replacement for our 2010 Honda Jazz, which lacks boot space. I've heard too many horror stories to buy another car with a cam belt, and a dealer tells me the...

Stop start technology - what are the mechanical long term effects?

What are your views on the mechanical long term effects of stop start technology ? Not with standing modern engine oils being better, and environmental benefits ( at least on paper ) surely constant stop...

Should I swap the tyres around on my car?

I have a 2010 Mini Cooper and recently had the tracking checked. I was told there was feathering on the inside edges of both front tyres with 3, 4 and 5mm of tread across the tyres. The rear tyres have...

Is a C-Class Estate a good buy as a comfortable car?

After having BMW 3 Series diesel estates for years, advancing years have increased my desire for a comfortable car on today's abysmal roads and less concern about all out handling so I am looking at the...

After a car with easy access - what do you suggest?

I'm looking for 1 year old low mileage manual petrol Qashqai, Sportage or Yeti. I only do 8,000 miles a year. Which make and model would you recommend for value, comfort and reliability?

Issue with the electronics on my new Golf SV - what are my options?

I bought a new Golf SV 1.4 in May 2014. Almost since new I have had issues with the electronics and in particular error mesages relating to Aadptive Cruise Control and system warning lights to say its...

What the best car with a big boot for around £6000?

I'm looking for a medium size hatchback with a big boot, up to seven years old and about £6k. You seem to rate the Civic which would appear to tick all the boxes, but how does the Golf Plus or SEAT Altea...

After a convertible for around £5000 - any suggestions?

I am looking to trade up from my Mazda MX-5 to a four seater convertible. My budget is £5000- 6500 and it has to be petrol as I only do 5000 miles a year. Not fussed between manual or auto. I'm not really...

Car sold to me with failing lower arm rear bushes - where do I stand?

My Land Rover Discovery, bought 11 weeks and 2000 miles ago from a main Land Rover dealer, now has badly worn front lower arm rear bushes. This has caused uneven tyre wear. I still have the 'personal...

Buying a car on credit card - better than cash?

I am buying car as a cash sale. If I pay in part with a credit card, will i have some guarantee and protection form the card company should problems arise with the purchase?

Found a popular performance saloon - why is it at auction?

I've spotted a nearly new and popular performance saloon coming up at auction. It has low (warranted) mileage, and listed as Grade 1, with the V5 present. I'm interested in bidding, but curious as to how...

Buying a tall car - any suggestions?

I have owned a Toyota Verso 1.8 for over four years and am about to change. We have loved the Toyota and may well get another, but I'm unsure how durable the CVT gearbox will be if I run the car for more...

Volkswagen Polo warranty claim being refused - what can I do?

My daughter has a 14 plate 1.4 TDI Polo and the ACC and AC have stopped working. The local Volkswagen dealer where the car was bought second hand claim it is due to impact damage and won't cover the £900...

Buying new tyres - what you could recommend?

I need to replace the two front tyres on my wife's Honda Jazz SE, 2005, 1339cc, CVT. The original tyres are Bridgestone Potenza RE040, 185/55 R15 82V which appear to be discontinued. What would you recommend...

Which seven-seater is best for carrying young children?

I'm looking for a seven-seater. I have three children under the age of three and am specifically looking for three full size seats in the second row that are adjustable. What do you suggest I look at?...

Could a water leak be a head gasket problem?

I just put a deposit down on a car. The seller says it has a water leak "due to a compressed water supply" which to me sounds like maybe a damaged pipe constricting the water flow. However, a friend has...

Need a large MPV with easy access and auto 'box

I am looking to replace our 2008 Ford C-MAX automatic 2008 model with a new car. The replacement must be as good (or better) for accessibility. It must also be an automatic. What do you suggest?

Audi Q3 - hesitation under acceleration

My two year old Audi Q3 (quattro) has developed a slight hesitation when accelerating, just as the turbo begins to take effect - 2200/2400 rpm. This only seems to happen when its been standing for a...