Can I buy a new car and SORN it immediately to avoid the first year tax?

I have been offered a Mitsubishi Shogun registered by the dealer on 1 April 2017. When the car is transferred they indicate that I will have to pay the VED of £140. Does that mean that the first owner...

Can I request that the Volkswagen emissions fix is not carried out on my car?

I have a 2009 Volkswagen Golf Plus with the EA189 engine. I have had two letters regarding the recall to reset the engine controls. I had done 40000 miles since new and it is returning 51mpg with no problems,...

How can I save money insuring an old car?

How can I save money insuring an old car?

What is the cheapest way to get car insurance cover for a newly qualified driver on her own car?

What is the cheapest way to get car insurance cover for a newly qualified driver on her own car? Could I add my granddaughter's car as a second vehicle on my policy and her as a 'named driver'? Or just...

I was penalised because my NCD was more than I stated - where do I stand?

I have recently returned to insuring a vehicle after three years as a company car holder. I had full no claims discount before taking the company car, and no claims in the company car. All of the above...

Why do cars with foreign number plates not have to pay road tax?

Why don't the DVSA do anything about cars with foreign number plates. I was told by the DVSA that it was down to the owner to register the car in the UK after 9 months?

Our 12 month old Range Rover caught fire - will we get our money back?

My brother bought a 2016 Range Rover Sport a month ago. Last Friday the car caught fire in as my sister-in-law was parking it. The engine compartment was burnt out completely and the original dealer has...

I received a PCN after paying via my phone - but they've refused my appeal?

I parked my car in a private station car park as I do most weeks. I came back one evening to find a PCN on my car even though I had called earlier that day and paid automatically via phone with my debit...

What's causing the strange creaking in my car?

I recently bought a Ford Focus ST 2016 with 17,000 miles. I have an annoying creaking sound from around the driver door and passenger door area. It's not speed related and has been back to Ford twice....

Does my cambelt need replacing after just 23,000 miles?

I have a May 2012 Ford Ka that has done 23,000 miles. My local Ford garage tells me that I need a new cam belt as part of the five year service. Do you think that this is necessary considering the low...

Does brake fluid need changing every two years?

My garage informs that my brake fluid should be changed every two years. Is this necessary and will it affect my warranty if I choose not to have it done?

My daughter's new car is not registered in her name - what should she do?

My daughter changed cars about 15 months ago and I saw the dealer prepare all the documentation. He gave her the green clause 10 and agreed to forward all relevant papers to the DVSA. Two months ago my...

Why has the oil in my diesel car turned jet black?

I have a Subaru Outback 2.0d Premium which I have owned from new. It has done 11000 miles (mostly high speed long distance and motorway) and I have noticed that the oil level is creeping up. The car was...

Will a 2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi be suitable for muddy terrain and long commutes?

I want to trade in my 2011 diesel Nissan X-Trail 2.2 for a slightly smaller 4WD. I commute 50 miles a day, but need a 4WD for rough farm tracks. I have a budget of about £20,000 - £25,000 after trading...

Which tyres are best for high mileages?

I have a Renault Captur that has done 68,000 miles and needs a full set of new tyres. Which tyres should I get?

Is our insurance policy void?

My wife has been involved in an accident and her insurance company made an offer to settle as her car is uneconomical to repair. She has bought a new car even though she hasn't received the settlement...

My new Audi Q5 hasn't come with the options that were promised - what do I do?

I have bought a new Q5 2017 and ordered some options on the car. However they aren't 100% complete as per list on the Audi website and brochure. I've paid for these options and now being told that that...

Is my DSG gearbox going to become problematic?

I own a Volkswagen Golf SV with a DSG six-speed gearbox. I have seen your reports that there have been many problems with these boxes. My car is coming up to three years old and has only done 23000 miles....

A positive outcome after the Volkswagen emissions fix caused problems to my car

I wrote to you in March about my 2010 Golf 2.0 TDI which had frequent problems after the emissions upgrade. I thought I would update you that Volkswagen has replaced the EGR valve free of charge. A courtesy...

My Fiat has an intermittent steering problem - is Fiat responsible?

I have a Fiat Panda 4x4 which I bought new in 2010. I have had intermittent power failure on the steering. I remember seeing Watchdog some years ago when this seemed to be a common fault with the car....

What would you value my 1994 Mercedes-Benz E-Class at?

I have a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E280 auto.It's had one owner and done 41,000 miles. What would you value it?

Should my car need new rear brake discs after just 12,000 miles?

I have a 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI that has done less than 12,000 miles and which has just had its 2 year service at my Volkswagen main dealer. They have told me that the rear discs and pads need replacing...

Will a nearly new diesel be difficult to sell on in the future?

I want to buy a secondhand (nearly new, maximum 12 months old) Ford Mondeo Estate. I'm not sure whether to go for petrol or diesel. Annual mileage is approximately 30,000, which would suggest diesel, but...

How do I recommission my Mercedes-Benz after two years in a garage?

Two tears ago I threw my (until then) well maintained late 2006 Mercedes E-Class 320 CDI Avantgarde estate with 140K miles into a garage without any preparation. I have recently returned to the country...

Can you be fined in a private car park outside normal operating hours?

In a private car park, with a two hour free limit, is it still reasonable to be fined outside normal operating hours? None of the shop premises were open during the time of parking.

Do the authorities still send you a warning letter the first time you enter London's LEZ if you haven't paid?

Do the authorities still send you a warning letter the first time you enter London's Low Emission Zone if you haven't paid?

The dealer refuses to replace/repair my faulty car - what should I do?

I bought a secondhand Volkswagen Golf for £5000 from a dealer. It developed serious power issue after two months. Dealer refuses to accept liability but offered to pay half the cost of repairs in his affiliated...

Can I keep my no claims discount if I've moved abroad?

I've been living overseas for a few years but am not back in the UK. Before departing I held full no claims discount for a number of years and have maintained full NCD since but the level is capped at...

What's the best luxury car with a big load area?

We currently have a Ford Galaxy which I love. We need to replace it soon with a car that can tow up 1500kg and has a comparable boot space (1300 litres I believe). My husband would like some luxury as...

Is it advisable to have my tyres below the recommended PSI?

I've just taken the plunge and bought 4 Michelin Cross Climates for my 2011 Mercedes E250 CDI Estate.Tyre size is 225/55 R16 99W. Mercedes Benz recommends 38PSI all round unladen, more when 5 up with luggage....

Can I use an independent garage to service my car and maintain the manufacturer's warranty?

Can I use an independent garage to service my car and maintain the manufacturer's warranty?

What's the best way to start my standing 1996 Ford Mondeo?

My 1996 Ford Mondeo been standing for three years. What is the best way to approach starting it again? I've fitted a new battery but it didn't start. The previous owner said it needed a fuel pump and I'm...

Is there a way to check if my dealership did the emissions fix without my consent?

Is there a definitive test that can be carried out to determine whether or not my dealership has carried out the software fix without my consent? My 2010 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI is due for its MoT in May....

Is it wise to sell a classic car at an auction with no reserve price?

We have inherited two Mercedes-Benz Pagoda. One is a white manual 230SL made in 1964 with with previous owners and 75,000 miles. The second is a 1970 280SL Coupe Auto, 71,000 miles with one previous owner....

My automatic car is registered as a manual - what should I do?

I put my license plate numbers into a car insurance website and the reg came up as a manual transmission, but the car is an automatic. I only have an automatic licence.

Are American cars built to a better quality than European cars?

I read a few years ago that American cars have less mechanical problems as the Americans spend the majority of the development money on the engine/drivetrain mechanicals making them more robust and less...

Will converting our van into a campervan affect its registered disabled status?

Our van is registered as disabled because we have a handicapped child. Will converting it to a campervan affect its disabled status?

Can my daughter drive a minibus converted into a motor caravan on her licence?

I have a 17 seat LDV convoy minibus that has been converted into a motor caravan as a wedding gift for my daughter. If I change the revenue weight to lower than the manufacturer states, will the road tax...

Is the shift from diesel pushing up the price of petrol cars?

I have seen two 2010 Mazda 6 Estate 2.0 petrol for sale for £9500 - £9750, with 19,000 and 29,000 miles. One is a private sale and the other is from a dealer. Most price guides give prices of around £7000....