Audi A3 vs Honda Civic - which is the better used buy?

I am thinking of buying a used car; however, I can't decide between a 2005 Audi A3 2.0 diesel with 151,000 on the clock for £1500 or a Honda Civic (same year) with 79,000 on the clock for £1100. Can you...

DVLA fine for keeping my car off the road

I bought a new car five months ago. After collecting the vehicle, I transferred my insurance and took the old car off the road. I received a reminder Road Tax notification from the DVLA, so I SORN'd the...

Can I reject a used car over its ownership history?

I have agreed to buy a used (2011 model) Jaguar XF 2.2 diesel from a local dealer. The car was clearly advertised as having 'one former lady keeper' however I have today received the log book today and...

How can I check if my car has Autoglym Lifeshine?

When I bought my Skoda Octavia new it was treated with Autoglym Lifeshine. When I took delivery of the vehicle I did not receive a Lifeshine warranty document. I contacted Autoglym to see if my treatment...

Vauxhall Meriva power steering failure

My husband was driving our Vauxhall Meriva home from work yesterday and there was a code on the dash and the power steering failed. We've had the car from new - bought November 2011. Any suggestions? ...

Need a reliable used car for under £8k

I need a reliable used car that will comfortably cover 15,000 miles a year. My budget is £7000 and I've been told to buy a diesel. I quite like the Toyota Yaris and Ford Fiesta. Which would you buy?

How can I tell if a DPF regen is taking place?

Do any vans tell the driver when a DPF regeneration is starting or taking place?

Buying a Lexus RX450h - what should I check?

I've seen a five year old Lexus RX450h with 130,000 miles for sale, priced at £14,000. Am I mad to consider such a high mileage? Is there anything to look out for at this age of car?

Which SUVs are built in Britain?

I want to replace my 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL with something a bit smaller - and with Brexit looming would prefer to buy a car made in Britain. So, I have just tried the new Land Rover Discovery Sport - lovely...

Ford Focus making a knocking nose between gear changes

I have noticed a knocking noise between gear changes on my Ford Focus 1.6 diesel. My local dealer has told me this is normal, but I disagree. How do I find out what the problem is?

Are turbocharged petrol engines reliable?

Our car is a BMW 120i coupe "non-turbo". The latest 218 etc has twin turbos. In view of all the warnings you have issued over the years regarding turbo bearing failure doe to overheating, would we be storing...

Renault Captur - petrol or diesel?

I am looking at changing my current car. I currently drive a Kia Cee'd diesel, but don't cover as many miles as I use to due to retiring. I anticipate doing less than 10,000 miles in future and am thinking...

Need a compact 4x4 with comfortable seats

I recently purchased a Fiat 500X Cross Plus 4x4 170 petrol auto. It's a great car but due to a neck injury I am finding it a problem to get in and out of the vehicle. Should I replace it? If so, with what?...

Engine failure on Nissan Qashqai

The 1.5 diesel on my Nissan Qashqai broke, due to turbo failure. Nissan has replaced the engine and I am due to get it back tomorrow. What should I check?

Volkswagen Passat problems - is it related to the emissions scandal?

I received a letter from Volkswagen over a year ago to say my diesel Passat was impacted by the emissions scandal. They said they would be in touch shortly about the recall - I've yet to receive any follow...

Should I change the gearbox oil in my Freelander?

My 2013 Land Rover Freelander has now completed 45k miles, it was serviced in January at 38k by the main dealer, but I don't know whether the gearbox oil would have been changed. I seem to recall a recommendation...

Do I have to have my car serviced with the dealer?

I bought a BMW 320i automatic new 10 months ago. You recommend that the oil and filter should be changed every 12 months (mileage is 5500), should this be changed at the local main dealer or at a local...

Why is my Rover 25 overheating?

My Rover 25 has started overheating. The water in the tank is bubbling up and there is a small amount of steam coming out. The engine fan is also continuously on. Any idea what the fault is?

Best all-weather tyres for Hyundai Tucson?

I am taking delivery of a new Hyundai Tucson next week. I do 25,000 miles per year on motorways and also drive on a lot of B roads that do not get treated in wthe inter. Can I survive the winter using...

Volkswagen Golf suspension knocking sound

I recently had the rear part of the exhaust changed on my 2005 Volkswagen Golf. The front driver's side spring also had work done. When I collected the car and drove away everything seemed fine, but then...

Car crash due to faulty handbrake - can I sue the dealer?

I have a 2007 Vauxhall Corsa. Six months ago I parked on a hill (with the handbrake on) and after a couple minutes it rolled down a hill cause £1500 worth of damage. My local Vauxhall did a basic feel...

Does the Ford Focus auto use a torque converte gearbox?

I am looking at a nearly new Ford Focus 1.5-litre EcoBoost auto (either 150PS or 182PS) and am trying to establish which type of gearbox it has. I think it has always had a six-speed torque converter (unlike...

Can I reject my used Tiguan over the emissions scandal?

Six months ago I purchased a used Volkswagen Tiguan from a local dealer. The car was 14 months old and the salesman assured me that the engine was not involved in the Volkswagen emissions scandal. Subsequently...

Used Audi Q3 or new SEAT Ateca?

I am in the market for a compact SUV due to our one year old labrador out growing our Volkswagen Scirocco. I've narrowed my list to two: the Audi Q3 or SEAT Ateca. Both will be 2.0 diesels with the DSG...

Vandalised car - accept Insurance write off or attempt to fix?

My 2004 BMW 3 Series 316 Compact, which I have owned from new, was recently vandalised. The police are unlikely to find the perpetrators and the insurance company has indicated, if I proceed with the claim,...

Does the Porsche Boxster have any known faults?

We recently bought a 2009 Porsche Boxster 2.9 from a main dealer. Could you let us know what to watch out for (if anything)?

Volkswagen Passat EGR fault

I have just read your article on EGR failure on Volkswagens and the link to the emissions scam with interest. My 2011 Passat has been recalled as one of the cars effected by the scandal and has been fully...

How can I improve the ride on my Audi A4?

I've recently bought a 2011 Audi A4. The car is great, however the ride is very uncomfortable. After checking with Audi I found it has sports suspension which explains the firm ride. My choices seem to...

Is my Honda Acty worth anything?

I own a 1979 Honda Acty. It has had one owner from new (my dad bought it new), but been off the road since 1990 in our garage. Are there any collectors of these vehicles and what might the value be of...

Jaguar XF injector problems

We bought a 2011 Jaguar XFR from a main dealer five months ago. Yesterday, the oil warning light came on and the car started blowing out smoke. It was towed to a local garage and I've been told it needs...

Need a cheap first car with low running costs

I am a first time driver looking to buy a used small car for my commute of about 20 miles. I have £3000 to spend and need a car with low maintenance costs. What should I buy?

What's the best way to dispose of an unwanted car?

I'm looking to scrap my 2005 Ford Ka as it needs too many repairs. I've been quoted around £35 for a local scrap yard to pick up and the car. However, the battery in the car is brand new and hardly been...

BMW 318i - what's the difference between ES and SE?

I'm thinking of buying a used BMW 3 Series (2010 model). Can you tell me what the differences between ES and SE models are? I hear the ES is the "poverty" model...

Vauxhall Corsa engine warning light is on

I have owned a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa for 12 months. It has done less than 52,000 miles and a few days ago the engine management warning light came when I started the car up. The engine also made some strange...

Hyundai Terracan handing problems

My friend has a 2004 Hyundai Terracan which he has owned for a couple of years and has generally been quite happy with it. Recently, it has started to show severe handling problems, becoming quite unstable...

Audi A6 Avant maintenance advice

I have just placed on order for a new Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI Ultra SE, S-tronic. I chose the SE for the comfort it provides, and the 2.0-litre engine for the economy. As I intend to keep the car for quite...

Downsizing from a Nissan Qashqai

My father-in-law owns a Nissan Qashqai. The car is three years old and approaching the end of the PCP plan. Being 70 and suffering from Parkinson's disease, he needs another automatic car with a raised...

Best practical car for under £5k?

I currently have a three-door Mitsubishi Colt, but need a larger car for transporting at least four people (plus myself) in comfort with room for five rucksacks in the boot, for under £5000. I want something...

Power steering problems on Renault Clio

The steering on my mum's 2007 Renault Clio is tight when in the straight ahead position and doesn't respond to tiny inputs, however if a little force is applied the power steering works fine. Could the...

Faulty clutch on MINI Countryman - what are our rights?

We have a MINI Countryman All4 John Cooper Works, which we bought new from a main dealership two and a half years ago. The car has now done 11,500 miles and we noticed a burning smell from the clutch,...

Best used family car for £1500?

We have a budget of £1500-£2000 for a used family car. It must be practical and capable of carrying five (incl baby) and have boot space for a pram and shopping. What should we consider buying?

Can I avoid the new luxury car tax?

I am looking to buy a new Audi Q5 with a petrol engine. I'd like to get the new model, but am worried that it will fall into the new, more expensive road tax system. Should I buy the older version, or...

Need a large car with good fuel eocnomy

I am looking for 2.0-litre diesel car with 150PS. I need good fuel economy and impressive handling from the car. What should I get from the: Mazda6, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Passat, Honda Civic and Toyota...

Advice need for buying a used MX-5

I am considering buying a used Mazda MX-5 and have two options: A 2014 Mazda MX-5 2.0i Powershift for £15,950 with 23,000 miles on the clock or a 2013 model for £16,750 with 7600 miles on the clock. I...

Real MPG and real emissions

Some friends are looking to change car soon. They are obsessed with emissions issues and look for low MPG cars with low carbon. Their current car (Smart) does not come remotely close to its real MPG....

How can I dispute a rental car damage claim?

I recently hired a car from a well-known national hire company. I booked and paid for five days hire. I returned the car full of fuel with no further damage. I received a claim from the hire company with...

Vauxhall Meriva steering pump failure

My Vauxhall Meriva (2010 model) has just suffered a power steering pump motor failure . The vehicle has only covered 21,000 miles and the repairs have come to over £1000. As this appears to be quite a...

Advice on long-term storage of automatic car.

Owing to an unexpected medical issue, I have been told not to drive for a few months. My automatic Vauxhall Corsa (2005 model) is on my drive and won't be needed until February. I have over inflated the...

Buying an SUV - would you recommend the new Tiguan?

I am considering buying a new, or nearly new, medium-sized SUV and am contemplating the new (2016) edition Volkswagen Tiguan. I have owned Volkswagens before and generally hold them in high regard. How...

Do turbocharged engines operate properly in first gear?

Turbochargers on engines used not to operate in first gear or below 2000rpm. (diesel) or 3000rpm. (petrol). Is this still the case as I may in the future purchase a small capacity turbo engine ? ...