What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Trending topics in January 2017
buying a new car
buying a used car
buying an suv
buying and selling
consumer advice
consumer rights
diesel engines
emissions fix
fuel economy
legal and consumer advice
low mileage
maintenance and servicing
michelin
mpg
nox emissions
owning
petrol engines
petrol or diesel?
volkswagen emissions scandal
wheels and tyres
Questions from January 2017
I have run Ford Focus 1.6 petrol auto estates for many years and have found them to be durable with few problems. The time has come to change again, but I now understand that the auto gearbox available...
What things should I check when buying a Renault Clio Renaultsport?
My Volkswagen Tiguan has been called in to have the software update following the emissions scandal. I am, however, reluctant to take it in following reports by owners who have had the update. Am I to...
I'm experiencing the common timing chain rattle on my low millage (36,000) 6 year old Seat Ibiza 1.2 TSI engine. I've been quoted £400 for replacement at an independent garage. Is it worth having the chain...
I would like to buy a camper van to live in as a small house, located in london. Do you know of any websites, agencies, shops, etc from which I could get a quote and view the item to eventually buy it?...
I want to convert a minibus into a camper van. What are some reliable long wheel base vans for converting?
I have a 2008 BMW 3 Series estate. It was fine when I bought it 5 months ago, apart from a problem with the rear tailgate window which wouldn't open and this was fixed. A few weeks ago I noticed when I...
I have a 2008 BMW 3 Series estate. When I bought it 5 months ago it was fine, apart from a problem with the rear tailgate window which wouldn't open and this was fixed. A few weeks ago I noticed when I...
I am getting a vibration through the pedals on my 2009 Volvo XC60 between 55-70mph. My garage are pointing towards the dual mass flywheel. Should I replace the rest of the clutch at the same time?
I just had my 2011 BMW 5 Series 2.0d serviced and they told me that the turbo needs to be changed. I have a warranty but the warranty company said that they don't cover wear and tear within the first 90...
What is the difference between Audi quattro and BMW xDrive? Which performs better in bad weather situations and which has a more dynamic drive?
Do you know where the coolant temperature sensor is on a 2009 Ford Kuga 2.0d? The radiator cooling fan is not coming on.
Is 2008 Mitsubishi Colt Cabriolet that has done 117,000 miles okay to buy? It's a cheap stopgap car for 6 months.
I own a 2006 Honda FR-V 2.2 CDTi from new and I've always used Shell fuel. It's had oil changes every 8,000 miles following your advice. Apart from a couple brake caliper changes and a shock absorber,...
I have a 2015 Peugeot 308 BlueHDi and my wife is about to order a MINI Clubman D. Both currently have £20 annual tax but what will be the move to increase both tax and area restrictions on low emission...
I want a 2008 Land Rover Freelander 2 but I have a limited budget. Most adverts that I have seen in my price range are high mileage. Is there any drawback to buying the Freelander with high mileage or...
I have a 2014 Ford C-Max and want to upgrade my headlight bulbs to xenon, is it just a simple switch over with new bulbs?
What would you recommend as a decent starter classic? I'm 25 and have got around £3k to spend. Something that's a bit different to MGB would be appreciated. Love late 1980s/early 1990s cars.
How is it Volkswagen claim the rework on the diesel engine EA189 in the UK will have no affect on the fuel consumption, performance, max torque, noise and CO2 emissons. If they are altering the tune to...
Can you recommend a comfortable, reliable car to do approximately 20,000 miles a year on windy B-roads. My budget is £8000 and I was thinking a 2011 onwards Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI or a newer Ford Mondeo....
I picked up my Mercedes-Benz GLC43 on 9 November following a test drive of the GLC250d in early September and 3 happy years of owning an GL350d. The following day I received a call from my sales adviser...
My current tyres, Dunlop 225/40 R18 are making my Mercedes-Benz B-Class a very hard ride. Is there any other tyres I can try to ease this?
My Nissa Qashqai Tekna 1.2 DIG is 2 years and 9 months old with 23,000 miles on the clock. It uses a lot of oil and does bad mpg.
The auto box on my 2011 Volkswagen Golf has failed. Is this usual and is £1950 a fair price for repair?
I leased a 4 month old FIAT 500X Cross Plus that had done 3200 miles. I was turning into a roundabout when the steering wheel locked and I could could not steer the car. All dashboard lights came on and...
I've got an 2009 Audi A3 1.6 TDI that's been recalled for the Volkswagen emissions scandal. It went on a diagnostic machine, coming up with that problem and the EGR valve. Could the Volkswagen emissions...
I've bought a second hand petrol Honda Civic 1.8 with 20,000 miles on the clock. I got it 10 months ago from a Honda dealership with a 1 year warranty. 3 months after the purchase, I experienced a radiator...
I looked at a 2004 Volkswagen Polo 1.9 this weekend to possibly purchase. It has 86,000 miles on the clock and is being priced at £1390 with 3 previous owners. What should I be looking for and does this...
I have a fair budget for a used car, preferably a petrol hot hatch with reasonable MPG consumption and also suitable for everyday car use. I am thinking of something up to a 2.0-litre engine. I am looking...
I've had my Peugeot 306 for 3 years. It's had £1500 worth repairs over 14 months, including new head gasket, and now the cam belt has broken. I'm saving up the £800 to have it repaired but is it even worth...
What brand of tyre, runflats or normal, should I use for a 2007 petrol MINI Cooper? It's currently on 205/45 ZR/17.
I have a 2003 Peugeot 206 SW. My offside dipped headlight went out so I put a new one in but still didn't work. I checked the fuse in the engine compartment and changed for a new one, still no joy. What...
Is there any manual handbrake conversion to replace a Citroen Picasso automatic handbrake?
I had a 2005 BMW 3 Series 2.0-litre automatic as my main car in 2010 and I remember it being tax bracket J (190g/km),150PS, and on paper showing 35mpg on the combined cycle. I'm looking to buy a used 2007...
I have a 2015 Land Rover Discovery and wish to change to a petrol equivalent vehicle. It needs to be an automatic with comfortable seats and a raised seating position. What vehicles would you suggest I...
I have a Vauxhall Mokka and want to purchase a space saver wheel. However, the Mokka is fitted with 18-inch wheels and the maximum space saver wheel is only 16-inch. Is this an issue?
I purchased a car which me, and a witness, were told had full service history. It doesn't. I wrote stating I am rejecting the car but have had response back saying the sales person now denies telling us...
A few weeks ago I asked what were the best tyres in your view for a Mazda MX5 2.0 and you said Yokohama. I went to garage to order a set and they said that there is a number to choose from. So, what type...
I am a driving instructor and now need to change my instructor car, although I also use this car for my personal use being a mum of 3. I currently drive a Toyota Yaris but looking to buy a Hyundai i30...
I am considering buying a used Toyota Landcruiser from a UK company that buys at auction in Japan and then imports the car into the UK. Several UK companies are active in this market, they manage the import...
Can you suggest some models that are petrol automatics and have room for a folded wheelchair, walking frame, etc in the boot? It needs a front passenger seat that a disabled person can get into without...
Land Rover state in their service schedule that the oil in the automatic gearbox should be changed at 150,000 miles or 10 years. Mine has done 115,000 miles and the gearbox requires an expensive rebuild...
I'm looking to buy a BMW X5. What's the difference between an automatic gearbox and a sport automatic transmission? Also, if money wasn't a factor, would you go for the expensive electric plug in/petrol...
I have a 2003 one mature-owner Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door wagon. Completely unmolested and never driven hard. Serviced by the main dealer, including cambelts, etc. Recently waxed underbody, battery, tyres...
Do you have any feedback on the performance of the Michelin Cross Climate Tyres?
Does the Audi Q5 2.0 diesel engine have a chain driven cam?
I'm thinking of buying a 2 year old Kia Cee'd. The nature of my motoring means I need either the 1.6 petrol or the 1.6 diesel. My preference would be for an automatic gearbox but that's not a deal breaker....
During a rainy drive, with family in the car, the engine on our 2011 (41,000 miles) Nissan Qashqai emitted an acrid smell - no smoke from the exhaust - and stalled. When re-started, it exhibited a distinct...