My Fiat Grande Punto is having various electric problems - any ideas before I go mad?

My Fiat Grande Punto is having various electric problems, from headlights not working to headlights coming on when I've not got the key in the ignition (solved by turning the heater off). Any ideas before...

The gears in my Vauxhall Corsa sometimes won't change - can you help?

When driving my 2008 Vauxhall Corsa, the gears intermittently lock and I'm unable to change gear (up or down). My gearbox is manual and when the problem last occurred I had to complete my journey in second...

My garage damaged my car and fixed it badly - are they liable to fix it properly?

My Fiat Panda went into the Fiat dealer for some warranty work. When I returned to pick it up, someone had scratched from the front drivers door all the way to the back wing. They admitted fault and took...

My son's No Claims runs out soon - should we insure an old banger in his name to maintain his NCB?

We run two cars: an Audi A5, UK insured for summer and a Nissan X-Trail, insured in France for winter. We share them both with our son, who lives in London and does about 4000 miles per year. We do 40,000...

Do I need to notify my insurer of a modification if I change my runflat tyres?

I saw you recently advised a driver to inform his insurance about replacing runflats with non runflats as a modification. What's your advice about my MINI Cooper with genuine replacement MINI steel wheels...

My Volkswagen T5 Transporter is making a clattering noise - any ideas on what this might be?

I have a 2010 Volkswagen T5 Transporter camper conversion which has developed a pronounced clatter at the rear on rough roads - not over speed bumps though. I've check the furniture and all seems tightly...

The fan in my Volkswagen Golf keeps coming on - is this a symptom of the emissions fix?

This will be the third time I have taken my Volkswagen Golf to the garage that did the emissions fix. Is it normal for the fan to come on randomly (on short and long journeys)? I did get told the first...

The revs in my Nissan Qashqai increase when I ease off the accelerator - what's the problem?

I own a Nissan Qashqai 1.9 petrol automatic. When I accelerate up to a certain speed and then ease off the accelerator, the revs increase considerably, although the speed remains constant. When I then...

My son's car won't start - does the clicking noise suggest it's an issue with the starting motor?

I drove my son's car last week, a 2007 Volkswagen Astra (35,000 miles). I heard a loud squeal and then it cut out and I smelled something burning, which lasted 30 seconds. The first RAC guy tried to bump...

I need a spare bulb kit to drive in France - what do I do if none of the kits fit my car?

I'm going to France for 10 days and have a 2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta. I need to carry a spare bulb kit to comply with French law. So I went to Halfords today to buy one. I entered my vehicle registration...

The catalytic converter light has come on - is this related to the emissions fix?

I have a 2011 Volkswagen Touran 2.0 TDI. It had the Volkswagen emissions fix about six months ago and I have not had any noticeable problems with it. There was a period of it keeping the fan running after...

Should I get the emissions update done on my 100,000 mile Skoda Suberb?

I own a 2009 Skoda Superb. It runs very well, done 110,000 miles and I plan to keep it. Skoda have invited me to bring it in for emission software change, assuring that there will be no change in fuel...

My E-Class Estate wheels are corroding - should Mercedes-Benz honour my warranty to repair them?

I have a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, which I've had from new since December 2015. The front wheels are corroding from beneath the lacquer around the centre caps. As the lacquer is not damaged/broken...

Why are there so many leased cars on the roads lately?

I have noticed there seems to be an unprecedented number of newly registered, German brand, premium cars on the roads around my neighbourhood. They're presumably driven by people who would otherwise not...

Will my Volkswagen Golf Plus pass its MoT without having had the emissions fix done?

Given the recent complaints of cars breaking down or going into limp mode following the emissions fix, I'm considering not proceeding with my own recall on our 2010 Volkswagen Golf Plus (123,000 miles)....

Why did a dealer want me to wait three months to register an ex-demo car in my name?

A month ago I agreed to buy an ex demonstrator Fiat Spider 124. After I paid my deposit, the salesman called to tell me that he couldn't put the car into my name for three months. I didn't really understand...

Why does overdrive in my Nissan Note need to be turned off for slow speeds when driving away?

I recently bought a 2007 Nissan Note with a very low guaranteed mileage. Please can you tell me why the overdrive is on as standard and has to be turned off for slow speeds when driving away?

What cars would fit my mobility scooter without removing passenger space?

I'm disabled with MS and I'm trying to find a car that would fit my Quingo Flyte mobility scooter docking station with ramp, which is proving to be quite a challenge. I currently have a Toyota Auris Touring...

I want to buy a new car but can't get enough time on the test drive - what do you suggest?

I'm considering a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate. I've had a very brief test drive, but I'm struggling to get anything more than about 20 mins round the block. I accept that the dealership will seek to keep...

Should my son swap his Toyota Yaris Hybrid for a diesel car?

My son has a three year old Toyota Yaris hybrid - he's worried that resale value in a couple of years will be affected by new electric car technology. He does about 10,000 miles a year and it gets 62mpg....

Our car alarm goes off every night because it wasn't fixed properly after an accident - what do we do?

Both doors were replaced on our 2013 Ford C Max and now the alarm keeps going off at night. We get error messages for child lock malfunction, service required, drivers back door open (then the door jams...

We bought a faulty car from 130 miles away - do we have to take it back to this dealer for repairs?

We bought a 2008 Vauxhall Zafira, 55,000 miles, for £2495 on 22 July 2017 and drove the 130 miles home with no issues. On the 23 July the exhaust emissions light came on, so I contacted the seller and...

I only drive five miles per day - would a hybrid car suit my needs?

I need a car to do a round trip of five miles per day. I definitely do not want an electric car, but I would buy a small hybrid if it was any good. Would the starter battery or hybrid battery continually...

Can I drive an uninsured car on my own insurance?

If you drive another car but it has got no insurance, does yous insurance cover you to drive it?

What is the OEM specification for the engine oil in a 2016 Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 diesel?

Can you tell me the OEM specification for the engine oil in a 2016 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 diesel? After hearing rumours of emission upgrades, I'll be having my car serviced at my regular garage (non franchise)....

How do I find a manual for my Citroen C15?

I've got a 2002 Citroen C15 van, I don't have a manual with it. Does anyone have a diagram of the dashboard warning lights with a key? I'm trying to figure out what one of them is.

Mixing part worn and new tyres ruined my car - is the tyre fitter liable for not warning me?

My 2011 Nissan X-Trail recently had the front wheel misalignment corrected and two new Avon ZX7 front tyres fitted at my local branch of a national tyre franchise. The rear tyres were part worn but the...

Can I cancel my order for a used car if I wasn't told it had an engine replacement?

I'm purchasing a Nissan Qashqai from a dealership. I noticed in the service book that its service had been delayed due to a warranty repair. I asked the salesman what the repair was and he said he would...

Why didn't my MoT pick up why my brake was binding?

I had a an MoT carried out on my motor caravan this year. It failed on a rear binding brake and I was told to take the wheel off and tap the brake drum to free the brakes from binding. I did this and then...

Should I wait for a 67 reg Nissan Qashqai?

I've taken your advice and ordered a petrol Nissan Qashqai 1.6. Should I wait for the September reg or does it not matter? It's a new car and I've paid cash, could you advise me on anything I should consider...

What's the best affordable van to convert to a camper?

I have £9000 to buy a van to convert into a camper. I want to travel full time - what van do you suggest?

If my friend drives my car under his insurance, is his insurer liable in case of an accident?

If a friend drives my car under the terms of his insurance (presumably third party only) and has an accident, is his insurance liable for the damage to the other vehicle involved?

My insurer have paid out for a total loss - how do I make sure it's an accurate valuation?

My insurance company have said my car is total loss. I put in an estimated value of £700, which is what they say it's worth (minus my excess). Do they only pay out what my estimated value was? How do I...

My new BMW came with one different brand tyre - should the dealer make sure all four are the same?

I've just bought a 2014, 20,000 mile BMW 320i xDrive M Sport from a BMW main dealer. The salesman told us it had new tyres all round. After delivery we noticed that it had three Pirelli PZero tyres and...

Why is water leaking into the footwell of my 2005 Vauxhall Corsa?

At what mileage do the cam chain tensioner and water pump need changing in my 2005 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Ecotec? The driver's footwell is also soaked and I can't find where the leak is. Could you help?

Will fitting slightly smaller winter tyres on my car affect it?

I have some wheels from my 2006 Nissan X-Trail - 215/60 R17 with winter tyres that I swap on and off. My new 2014 X-Trail has 225/55 R18. There's a small difference in the size but does it matter (especially...

There's a drone from my car at 80mph - what could it be?

I have a droning noise at around 80mph which makes driving uncomfortable on my 2013 Volkswagen Passat. My garage diagnosed tyre noise. I now have 4 Goodyear eagle F1 tyres with the quietest rating for...

Are car warranties worthwhile and why do people buy them?

Can you please explain why car warranties are bought and whether they are worth while. If they are necessary can you recommend a reliable company?

I have had to pay for a replacement EGR after just 24,000 - should Volkswagen contribute?

I had to pay for a new EGR valve on my Volkswagen Golf 1.6 match at 24,000 miles. The car was fully serviced at the dealership but still had a bill as Volkswagen said they were not responsible for the...

I took my car to a hand car wash - and now the electric windows don't work?

I have a strange query. It was incredibly hot yesterday and I used the air conditioning on faster roads and opened the windows in 30mph zones. I thought the car looked dirty and got it washed and dried...

Is there a 'cooling off' period when buying insurance?

My son bought insurance with Adrian Flux for his car. At the time of purchase he asked about cancellation charges. He was told first of all that cancellation in the first 14 days would cost £25 after he...

What's the best way to get insurance for my 17-year-old twin daughters?

I plan to add my twin daughters as named drivers to my insurance when they turn 17 at the end of the month. I've asked my current insurers Sainsbury's for a quote. Is there a better way to cover them ?

Water keeps getting into all four doors of my car - how do I help drain it?

I have a 2016 Ford Galaxy that retains water in all four passenger doors after raining. They only drain out when I open them fully and drain out only at the door hinge side, about one third of a cup on...

Are there any rear-engine diesel cars?

I'm doing research for a book and am wondering if there's ever been any diesel cars manufactured with the engine in the rear and the trunk in the front? If not, is there a reason why this isn't a viable...

If someone damages my car and their insurer pays for repairs - do I need to declare this to my own insurer?

If someone damages my car while it's in a car park (public/private) or on the public road and their insurance pays for the damage, do I need to declare this accident on my insurance renewal?

I was hit by a lorry on a roundabout- who's at fault?

I was at a roundabout in the nearside lane which filtered left and straight ahead. A lorry was in the outside lane. I took off before the lorry to go straight across but my access and the car in front...

I had to have a new engine fitted after 95k miles - but the new engine is noisy. Should the dealership sort this out?

I had to have a new engine in my Volvo V70 D3 after 95000 miles. I was not too happy about it and expressed this to the dealership (who sold me the car with 5000 miles on it and have serviced it ever since)....

Is a disparity in the amount of wear on my brake pads indicative of a fault?

My dealer-maintained Hyundai i40 CRDi urgently needs replacement front discs due to 70 per cent wear on one side and 30 per cent on the other. Surely this would indicate a fault on a carefully driven car...

Are driver assist systems practical or just gimmicks?

Are driver assist systems, like lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition, practical aids or gimmicks? I wish to buy a car to prolong my safe driving years (approaching 80 years and...

Various parts of my van need replacing - is the dealer liable for not fixing it in the warranty period?

I have 2012 Ford Transit Connect, bought 1 November 2016. Since taking the speed limiter off the van, the fuel filter overloaded sign keeps coming up. Now the engine management light has come on with engine...