Would the Toyota Yaris Mk1 make a good first car?

I am looking for a small automatic car for my son to learn to drive in (he's currently having driving lessons in an automatic so will only have an automatic licence). People in the trade seem to be recommending...

Looking for an estate to replace my 2001 Ford Mondeo

I am looking for an estate to replace my 2001 Ford Mondeo. It must have a naturally aspirated petrol engine, climate control, cruise control and leather or part-leather seats. I'm hoping to spend no more...

Ford Mondeo refuses to turn over

I have a 2000 Ford Mondeo petrol that has no spark, no crank and no petrol pump pulse. I've done a diagnostic test, but the computer box is also not receiving power. What could be wrong and how can I fix...

Can we reject our Honda HR-V over a driveshaft problem?

Our new Honda HR-V is only six weeks old and has been into the garage three times since we got it. We noticed a vibration and the dealer says the problem is down to the driveshaft not being balanced properly....

Can I fit Jaguar tyres to my Discovery Sport?

I recently purchased a Land Rover Discovery Sport on 19-inch wheels with 235/55/19 105v Pirelli scorpion Verde all season tyres. I have a set of brand new Nokian WD4 winter tyres size 245/45/18 100v XL...

Approved used car missing its service history

I have just purchased a used 2015 Ford Fiesta from a Peugeot dealership. I know nothing about cars so thought going via a dealership would be safer. I checked the car as much as I could with my limited...

Buying a family friendly SUV - any recommendations?

Six years ago I took your advice and bought a nearly new Ford Focus 2.0 petrol and it has been a great, reliable car. Thanks a million HJ. We now have a one year old baby and need to take lots of kit on...

Buying a Fiat 500 - hardtop or convertible?

I am interested in the Fiat 500C (TwinAir) but am worried about the maintenance of the fabric roof. I live on a street with lots of trees which drop honeydew in the early summer. I am an OAP and would...

Buying an exec saloon for a short commute - A6 or GS?

I drive a 2005 Lexus GS300 and love the reliability, standard level of equipment and comfort. I want to change up to a newer car (1-3 years old). I cover 20,000 miles per year, 70 per cent of which is...

Which car is best for comfort?

What's the most comfortable saloon/hatchback car in the 2/2.5 litre category, new or nearly new?

Are Skodas built in Britain?

In your British Built list of cars I have noticed that you do not list Skoda, why is this? I brought my Yeti in 2014 because I was told it was British built. I am thinking of getting the new Skoda Kodiaq...

Which dash cams have removable batteries?

Do you know if there are any dash cams out there with removable and rechargeable batteries (like a normal camera)? They generally seem to need a wire into the car 12V socket, and on my 62-reg Focus the...

Is the Ford B-MAX auto prone to gearbox problems?

I own a Ford B-MAX that is less than three years old. Its about to have its third torque converter fitted to the PowerShift auto box - is this a common fault?

Volkswagen Tiguan emissions fix - what do I need to know?

I have received the invitation to have my Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI "fixed" by the main dealer to deal with the emissions issue. I have read the reports on your site of post-"fix" problems and I wonder...

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer brake problems

I bought a used Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer (2011 model) with 53k on clock in December 2015. For six months, I took the car back every month with brake concerns over a judder. That was until the summer...

Will an air con specialist repair a compressor clutch?

You say in your Telegraph column that air con specialists will repair a compressor clutch; however, I can't find one on the south coast that will do this. Instead, they will only replace the compressor....

Citroen C8 losing power

Our Citroen C8 2.2 diesel (2008 model) has developed an intermittent loss of power, which triggers the engine management light to activate and a DPF filter fault to be displayed on the dash. Our local...

Is it legal to sell an unroadworthy car?

I want to sell a car which I believe falls into the "unroadworthy" category. Am I correct in thinking that I can sell it to a private individual, as long as I clearly state that the car is unroadworthy...

Does the Kia Sportage use Volkswagen's DSG gearbox?

I am looking to buy a new Kia Sportage petrol with the seven-speed DSG gearbox. However, a friend of mine has told me to avoid this car because it uses Volkswagen's DSG gearbox. The Kia salesman states...

How can I protect my Jaguar XF from kerb damage?

I have a 2011 Jag XF S 3.0D. With the fitted low profile tyres I find I hit the wheel rims on the kerbs too often. I would like to fit smaller wheels, higher profile tyres to reduce/eliminate the problem....

Ford Transit Connect - cam belt or chain?

My 2009 Ford Transit Connect lost all power recently. The AA instantly said it was down to the cam belt; however, my local garage who fitted a new belt six months ago say its another chain in the engine....

Hyundai ix20 vibration

I own a 2012 Hyundai IX20 blue motion 1.6 diesel. I bought it second hand in 2014 with 16000 miles on the clock and a full service history. Since then it has been serviced on time by the main dealer. It...

Audi A4 emissions fix - will it impact performance?

I have a three year old Audi A4 with the 2.0-litre TDI engine. As with all owners, I have been contacted by Audi to have a software update made to my car to rectify the "cheat" device over NOx emissions....

Buying a petrol estate - what would you recommend?

We currently have a 2004 Ford Focus diesel estate which we have been pleased with. We want to change it for another estate, perhaps 1-2 years old, but need: - similar size boot space - level access to...

Buying a nearly new Passat - what should I look out for?

I am looking to buy a late 2015 Volkswagen Passat diesel - 1.6 TDI - from a dealer. Is there anything in particular I should know about or look out for in this car?

Where is the fuel shutoff switch on the Renault Laguna?

I cannot find the fuel cutoff solenoid on my Renault Laguna diesel. I know there's one somewhere, but none of the books or diagrams show exactly where. Can you help?

Which garage floor coating is best?

Do you have any recommendations for coating a concrete garage floor? Previous garages I've owned have had floors painted with tile paint, but that quickly gets pulled off. I have seen resin floors advertised....

Can I reject my used car over an oil leak?

I purchased a car from a dealer on the 23 September, which came with a six month parts and labour warranty. During a routine service at a BMW dealership a major oil leak was discovered coming from rocker...

Is Honda liable for the respray on my Jazz?

About 10 months ago I purchased a used 2012 Honda Jazz from a Honda dealer as an approved used car. I noticed a rust bubble on the boot/tailgate so called Honda and had it checked. The paint thickness...

How do I fix my overheating Ford Fiesta?

I have had the water pump and thermostat in my 2002 Ford Fiesta replaced, but the water is over heating and coming out of the tank on top of the engine.

Which MX-5 model should I buy?

I am looking at buying a Mazda MX-5 from 2010-2013. Which engine is best? And is the steel top better than cloth? Also, which tyre sizes should be avoided for comfort?

What do I do about this suspension error message on my Vauxhall Insignia?

I have a 2.0-litre Vauxhall Insignia 4x4 VX-Line. There is a message that comes up saying service suspension system all the time when car is started. I have had an MoT recently and no problem was found...

Do I need to change the water pump on my Volvo XC70?

My 2005 Volvo XC70 last had a cam belt in May 2013. The water pump was not replaced then for some reason. It has since done a further 30,000 miles. Can you advise when the cam belt should be replaced again,...

Which version of the Audi TT is best?

I am thinking of buying a new Audi TT coupe and would welcome your advice on the best model to go for. I do about 13,000 miles of mixed driving each year. Also are any model changes pending?

How can I remove windscreen scratches?

I've noticed recently that, on my Audi A3, there's a scratch on the interior of the windscreen. It is fairly deep, what can be done to get rid of it? Or at least try and lessen the damage?

Which size of winter tyres for an S-MAX?

I need real winter tyres (not all-season/cross-climate) for the annual ski trip in my new front wheel drive S-MAX. My good as new Dunlop Winter Sports are 225/55 R17, while the new car's summer tyres are...

Should I visit a specialist or main dealer for head light repair?

Something fell from a tree and hit the front passenger light of my wife's BMW 118d M sport, on a 65 plate. It smashed the 'glass' and the middle of the outside ring light. The main BMW dealer wants £612...

Which engine for new Hyundai i20?

We are replacing our Mazda 2 and wonder what your thoughts are regarding choosing between the 1.2 engine or new 1.0 litre in the i20? The car will be kept for at least five years, so maintenance wise...

After a petrol automatic car - what do you suggest?

A friend is looking to exchange his Honda CR-V for a new/second hand car-depending upon price. He wants petrol, automatic and drivers seat with good height adjustment. He has tried a Golf which might suit...

Missing part of service history - will it devalue my car?

I have just bought a 3 year old Toyota Land Cruiser and on inspection I noticed the service book was missing. The sales department advised they had ordered a replacement and had sent it away to have it...

Selling a car that is SORN, uninsured and unroadworthy?

I have a car which is an MOT failure. I want to get rid of it, either to a scrapyard or private buyer. Given some of the issues with it, I believe I have to sell the car as "unroadworthy" and intend to...

Timing chain failure on my MINI - where do I stand?

My 2013 MINI has covered 73,000 miles and the timing chain/tensioner has failed. The MINI garage does not recognise a problem but said they will carry out diagnostics at £120 an hour before sending the...

Is the automatic Honda CR-V any good?

On the current Honda CR-V petrol, you indicate that the automatic gearbox is best avoided. What is your reason for this advice? Is the gearbox CVT or torque converter?

Intermittent headlight failure on Dacia

I have a 2014 Sandero. When driving at night with my headlights on, and I've flashed my main-beams at an on-coming car who has left his on and is dazzling me, upon flashing my lights my headlights, sidelights...

Can I buy and sell a car without putting my name on the V5?

If I am buying a car to sell, can I not go on the V5 as an owner (so there are less owners on the log)? But do it safely and legally?

How often should I replace my winter tyres?

I only do about 2000 miles a year on my winter tyres. At what age should I replace them?

Why do so few new cars have heated windscreens?

Why do so few cars have heated windscreens? Surely Ford's patent must have expired by now. It is a brilliant feature.

Where can I get a new ECU for my classic 911?

Where would you suggest I get a replacement ECU for my 1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 2 Cabriolet, part No: 911.618.124.04?

Should I complain about my car's loose wheel hub?

I bought a Nissan Note six months ago and have done 5000 miles in that time. For a couple of months I noticed a rattle which stopped when the brakes were applied. The supplying main dealer initially thought...

Does the Ford Fiesta use a DSG gearbox?

I have test driven a Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Powershift and was really impressed with it. However, I've now been told by men 'in the know' that its probably a DSG gearbox and I should avoid it. Is this...