Am I better buying an older premium car than a newer, cheaper car if I intend to keep it for a while?

I'm looking to buy a large SUV that could fit me (6'4") in the driver's seat as well as behind the front seats. Due to this I've managed to narrow it down to only a few cars. I'm looking to keep this car...

I hit a road closure sign while parking - can I claim damage repair from the council?

I recently hit a road closure sign while parking, it was on a path with angle iron legs sticking out. It went into the nearside fog lamp, then scratched the wing, door and wing mirror. I've never seen...

Water leaked into the engine of my van and now its ruined the ABS - what can I do?

My 2013 Peugeot Boxer had water leak into the engine compartment, this has been happening from new. It's damaged the computer and the ABS system. Estimated repairs are £3000 and the van has only done 16,000...

Is it worth getting a comprehensive vehicle check on a used luxury hybrid?

I recently purchased a 2008 Lexus LS600h from a Lexus dealer with a 12 month warranty. Being a non mechanical person thought it would be worth a comprehensive check throughout while the vehicle is still...

What's the most cost effective way to insure a learner driver?

What's the most cost effective way to insure a learner driver when the parents already have insurance?

I got fined for driving in a bus lane - do I need to notify my insurer?

I was picked up on camera driving in a bus lane and fined £60. Does this count as a conviction and do I have to inform my insurance company?

The Sensotronic Brake System on my Mercedes had failed - do I have any chance of a contribution?

The Sensotronic Brake System on my 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class failed in May of this year. It had had all the relevant recalls and has been serviced by a Mercedes garage (the same one) for its entire life...

What new small car would you recommend to replace our Qashqai?

We have a Nissan Qashqai 1.6 diesel automatic which will have to go shortly when the warranty expires due to many reliability issues. We want to downsize (now in our early seventies) and fancy a smaller...

We need a car for three children - what would you suggest?

We will soon have three children who will all need car seats. We currently have a 2015 Ford Mondeo and cannot fit three child seats across the rear of the car. We also need space for a dog and luggage...

A pavement parked car forces my daughter and pushchair onto the road to pass - is this a police or council matter?

My daughter with her pushchair often goes down a road where there's a Range Rover parked on the pavement, not completely but enough to stop her getting past with the pushchair. She cant cross over to another...

Does the Ford Ka+ have the same issues as the Fiat 500 that it's based on?

I recently put a small deposit down on a 2017 Ka+. Yesterday, a friend told me that it's a poor Fiat engine and bad gearbox. I'm now worried. Could you please tell me if his information is correct?

Can you recommend a quiet car with a decent boot?

In recent years I've suffered hearing loss, so with cabin noise it's difficult to converse with my wife while driving our 2013 Ford Fiesta. We are now looking to buy a similar size vehicle. Can you recommend...

What's the rotten egg smell in my car?

My 2010 Toyota Prius has been stuttering and there's a rotten egg smell. I've sent it to Toyota for repairs. What could be the problem?

Would my hybrid car benefit from premium fuel?

I have a new Toyota C-HR Hybrid in which I'll do about 8000 miles per year, mixed driving. I also have a 2016 Toyota Aygo semi auto in which I do about 4000 miles per year, mostly short journeys. Would...

Do you know of a good non-subscription car GPS tracker?

Do you know of a good non-subscription car GPS tracker?

What's the easiest way to import a motorbike from Japan?

I want to get a motorcycle shipped from Japan to England. Could you please advise me the best way to do this?

Mercedes won't refund my repair bill for a breakdown abroad - where do I stand?

My 2014 Hymer B 585 Starlight motorhome (based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter) recently broke down while I was in Ireland. I was recovered to an authorised Mercedes-Benz repairer, who eventually diagnosed...

My motorbike has been insured in America while I was there - why have I now got a penalty warning for having no UK insurance?

In April, I temporarily imported my Triumph motorbike into the USA to use on a 3 month road trip. I couldn't SORN because it is a requirement for the road tax to remain current. I let my UK insurance lapse...

How regularly should motorbikes be serviced?

My son and I have just completed our necessary motorbike training and tests, allowing us to ride 125cc bikes. I'm thinking of getting a new Honda CB125F and was wondering if you think I would be able to...

Can I let my insurance cover continue to run on a car I'm selling to avoid the cancellation fee?

I'm trading in my car in on 31 July 2017, the insurance expires at the end of August. Rias want £50 to cancel or £53 to change insurance onto new car for the remaining one month. Had good quotes from another...

What are the consequences of doing low mileage in a diesel car?

I'd like to buy a diesel BMW X3 2.0 but most of my journeys are short. What would be the negative effects on the car from my driving pattern? Are there any small changes to my driving, like doing a 50-mile...

Why is my car making a strange whirring noise?

I have a Toyota Yaris Verso automatic and it has started developing a strange whistling/squeaky noise. It's only really noticeable when I engage D but often in P mode and when starting up you can also...

Our new car will be off the road for three months with a fault - what are our options?

I bought a new Range Rover but when we picked it up there was an airbag light on on the dashboard. We thought this was the indication that the front passenger airbag was turned of, so we could carry infants...

I want to buy a car following the owner's death - can I buy it if the V5 is still in his name?

I'm interested in a car that's being sold following the owner's death, however the V5 is still in his name. Can you advise on the legal position should I purchase it?

My Aston Martin Vantage V8 was ruined by a garage I was using to sell it - where do I stand?

I was trying to sell my Aston Martin Vantage V8 4.7 through a garage who offered a sale or return deal, taking a commission if the vehicle was sold. Five weeks and 300 miles later, only two prospective...

Should I get a hybrid or a diesel car to commute?

I do a 40 mile round trip every day with a mix of roads, including 70mph dual carriageway and a stretch of motorway for about 10 miles each way. Would a hybrid be suited to this driving? If no, I'm going...

An injector in my van has broken - is this related to the emissions fix?

I have a Volkswagen Caddy 1.6 diesel which has had the EA189 fix done. Can this fix effect the injectors? I've had an injector go after the fix and the van has only done 16,000 miles.

A car hit my broken down van on the side of the road - who's at fault?

I ran out of fuel and was stopped on the motorway as far over as I could go (no hard shoulder). I was there for some time and was on the phone to the police inside my van when I was hit at over 50mph in...

Does the weight of items placed in the van affect how quickly the brake pads and disks wear down?

Does the weight of items placed in the van affect how quickly the brake pads and disks wear down?

Is the manufacturer's warranty still valid if not purchased from a main dealer?

Is the manufacturer's guarantee on a 2016 Ford Focus still valid if not purchased from a Ford dealership?

What's the most comfortable car you could recommend?

I'm 69 with arthritis and sensitivity to vibration. I need a very comfortable ride/seat with a high seating position. My comfort standard is a Citroen XM. Is there anything at all that comes close?

How much is my 1989 Fiat X19 worth?

I own a 1989 Fiat X19 in very good condition. Known as' limited edition'. Could you give me an idea of value?

What diesel cars, with no DPF, are economical and could tow a small caravan?

I'm having difficulty finding a reliable, economical car for under £2000 which meets all my criteria. It needs to have a high seating position, high ground clearance and room in the back to out a bike...

The air con failed in my Mazda 2 - why are replacements taking so long?

The air con unit packed up in my Mazda 2 and my local dealer confirmed that the condenser has failed. Due to failures they now have 18 on order from Mazda. Two months have now passed and I'm still waiting...

Where's the best place to get a keyfob programmed?

I've just bought a Peugeot 207. It only came with one keyfob, which is all falling apart. I can get new keys and fobs but they need programming to the car for the immobiliser. Where is the best place to...

Warranty company refuse to honour my warranty - what should I do?

I bought a car in April and it came with a third party warranty. Just over a month later it developed a fault and I claimed it under the warranty I had. The warranty company have refused the claim stating...

I've seen a lot of issues occurring after the emissions fix - should I get it done to my Volkswagen Tiguan?

I have a 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDi DSG. I've received a letter asking me to bring the car in for the software update. However, I'm worried about the problems other owners are reporting once they had...

The roads near me are very narrow - if a truck hits me on my side of the road, who's at fault?

I live in the country with narrow roads. The trucks that use the roads are so big that sometimes they drive across my half of the road, forcing me to avoid them. If one hits me on my side of the road,...

I use my Volvo V70 auto to tow a caravan - is there anything I should have done to ensure it keeps running?

I own a 2011 Volvo V70, it's done 48,000 miles. It's always been serviced by a Volvo dealer and I use it for towing a 1500kg caravan about 4000 miles per year. Please advise any steps I should take, over...

Why won't my car start?

My Vauxhall Vectra won't start when I turn the key. All I get is a ticking noise. Can you please help?

I had the cam belt on my car changed seven years ago - does it need another one now it's hit 60,000 miles?

I have a 2013 Renault Clio 1.4 and it has done just shy of 60,000 miles. It's already had a cam belt change seven years ago (25,000 miles ago). Will it need another belt change?

A garage that lent me a courtesy car five years ago now wants £1700 - what do I do?

I had a car accident over five years ago, the driver was convicted of dangerous driving. I had just bought the car and it was written off five minutes after leaving the garage. The garage had let me drive...

My insurer didn't fix my chipped windscreen - should I have to pay now that it's cracked?

I have car insurance with Saga that gives me unlimited time in Spain. In April, on the way down to Spain, my windscreen was chipped by a stone. I contacted Saga but they have no agreement with any windscreen...

My car door needs replaced - should I be aware of any future problems that may arise?

My car went in for servicing at the dealership garage I purchased it from. Whilst there, someone drove into it. The driver's door needs replacing. The garage will do this at their expense and give me a...

Can I modify my Audi A1 to get softer suspension?

I have an Audi A1 1.6 TDI Sport which is well built, lively and economical. The only downside is the firm suspension which is not suited to the poor quality of my local roads. Is it possible to modify...

I don't need to use Hyundai servicing to maintain the warranty - can you recommend a cheaper third party option?

I've just bought a six month old Hyundai i10. I knew their service costs are steep but I also noted you don't have to use Hyundai to maintain the warranty. Hyundai have just bought out a service plan that...

The timing chain on my 2013 Renault Clio has failed - should I push for Renault to cover the full repair costs?

I've owned my 2013 Renault Clio 0.9 since new and it has done 36,500 miles. The car has a full service history. The timing chain has failed and is currently with a Renault repair centre, customer services...

Are the warning lights on my Audi A1 linked to the emissions fix?

I had the emissions fix on my Audi A1 Sportsback 1.6 TDi and immediately warning lights started flashing amber on my dash. First was the flashing glow plug system light, then a week later a solid Emission...

I'm a named driver on my mum's policy - will a no fault accident in my own car affect her premium?

I renewed and paid for my mother's car insurance policy about two weeks before the start date. I'm a named driver on the policy but rarely drive the car. Between paying for the policy and it starting,...

Spark plug was smashed after being hit by a piston - does this require an entire engine rebuild?

I have a 2011 Vauxhall Astra that went into limp mode when I was going about 65mph. I pulled it off the road and the car would not start, it would crank but not ignite. After being recovered home I had...