Someone damaged my car but then refused to pay for the repairs - what do I do?

I was rear ended by a driver who admitted responsibility. The damage wasn't heavy and he asked if he could pay for the repair as he was in the motor trade and his insurance premium would rocket. We exchanged...

Why is there pale blue smoke coming from my exhaust?

I purchased a 2008 Lexus in August and after a few weeks I started getting pale blue smoke come from the exhaust for one minute every day half way through my journey. It disappears after one minute. The...

My reg plates have been cloned - how do I avoid the speeding charges the other driver is getting?

My number plates have been copied and put on a similar vehicle that is being driven around my area incurring speeding/parking/toll charges. What is your advice?

What do you think of a used Renault Kangoo Van?

My son needs a vehicle to drive to and from work, and occasional use as an overnight bed. He prefers Volkswagen or Ford, we've seen a £3595 2014 Renault Kangoo Van 1.5 with 82,000 miles. Is it a reasonable...

What's a good van for biking, commuting and sleeping in?

Which van would you recommend for chucking mountain bikes in the back and sleeping in? It would be my main car too and so used for local journeys during the week. I’m inclined to get a petrol engine as...

What should I look out for on a Transit-based campervan?

I have my eye on a Transit-based 2006 campervan with 75k on the clock. I owned an almost identical van from new in until 2008 but it was the previous model. I know what to expect habitation-wise but I'm...

My car insurance has gone up following a claim - how can I reduce the cost?

I was recently responsible for a low speed collision when I reversed into another vehicle - my first blameworthy incident since 1967! I have just received my insurance quotation for next year (co-op insurance...

What should I check for on a used Toyota Hilux?

I fancy buying a Hilux about two years old. Which engine is better - the 2.5 or 3.0? And is there anything particular to check out apart from what it's been used for?

Do you know how many Standard Vanguard Utes were made?

Do you know how many Standard Vanguard Ute pick-ups were made? My friend has a 1963 one and is wondering how rare it is.

My son's premium is high because of his postcode - is there any way to lower it?

My 25 year old son is being stung for car insurance because of his Central Manchester postcode, despite the fact that the car is kept in a secure underground car park - far safer than its previous on street...

I want a prestige classic that's also economical - is a BMW the way to go?

Just a university student here. I wish to have prestige car. The dream can be lived on a budget, I am looking at a BMW E39 and I am intending on modifying it elegantly. I'm looking for the most economical...

Why have all four injectors failed on my Volkswagen Golf?

I have a 2010 Volkswagen Golf and was told by a garage that the high pressure fuel pump had disintegrated and blocked the injectors. I was later told by a main Volkswagen dealership that I had mis-fueled...

Should I buy another Transit to use as a campervan?

My old 2002 Ford Transit has given up the ghost - I used it privately as a campervan. Given the current situation with diesel engines am I being silly looking to replace it with a 2011 / 2012 SWB Transit?

We got a parking fine because our disabled blue badge showed the wrong year - what can we do?

I have just had my second appeal dismissed by Independent Appeal Service. I’m in my 70s, disabled and have a seriously ill husband who is also disabled. We went to our local health centre for an appointment...

What will get rid of pattern marks on my windscreen?

My car has patterning on the windscreen when wet - the wipers don't get rid of it. I assume it's from polish used by the car cleaners. Can you suggest anything to get rid of the patterns?

I can hear water in the sills of my car - how do I drain it?

I have a 2011 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi SRi and can hear water movement apparently coming from within the nearside sills? Is this possible, why is it there and how do I resolve this issue? Are there any...

I'm looking for an economical, reliable vehicle to transport school pupils - what do you suggest?

I'm the Business Manager of a Special School in Kent. Our older students regularly go out on short trips in small groups to improve their life skills and gain Work Experience. We're looking to purchase...

What are the best offers on new cars, including free insurance?

We're looking to insure a 17 year old driver. We are unsure which strategy to pursue, buy new - including free insurance - or buy a used car for £1000 - £2000 and take the insurance hit. What are the best...

We're looking at buying a used van - will the warranty be void if the servicing wasn't done by the manufacturer?

We're looking at a Renault Master van for our son's business. It's a 2016 model, priced with extras at £14,478. It's done 25,500 miles and has a warranty till March 2019. There are full service stamps...

The installation of a black box ruined my son's car - what should we do?

My son bought a new Volkswagen Golf GTE in September for his commute to work. He changed his insurance to an RAC policy with compulsory Black Box. The car had played up a bit in the last few weeks and...

How should I sell my 1980 Ford Capri?

I have an old 1980 Ford Capri 3.0 sat rotting away on my drive and I would dearly love to see it in the hands of a great enthusiast that has the time for it. It needs restored, how do you suggest I go...

I want to claim road tax exemption on my Ford Capri - how do I find the build date for proof?

I need to prove the build date of my Ford Capri so I can claim road tax exemption. Unfortunately, unlike British Leyland products - there doesn't seem any obvious way to do this. Can you suggest any way...

Why is my premium so high for a 10 year old, low value car?

I've noted that to insure my car, which is 10 years old and is worth about £1000, costs the same as insuring a similar size car and engine that costs £12,000. In the event of a write off, I will get back...

My Toyota Yaris warranty ends soon - should I take out another warranty?

My Toyota Yaris will be out of warranty next year. What problems should I be aware of and should I buy a warranty from Warranty Direct as I have done for my other car?

How do I go about getting an agreed value on a classic car insurance policy?

I have a 1990 Audi 90 20v and a 1990 Audi 80 Coupe 20v, can I get classic insurance for them? How would I go about an agreed valuation as I’ve seen recent prices go from £2500 to £6500?

I want to buy a used car, but the first service done was later than recommended - will this void the warranty?

I'm looking to buy a 2015 Ford Focus Estate. I noticed that the first service was 18,500 miles rather than the recommended 12,500 miles. Will this void the warranty and could it have damaged the engine?...

My premium increased after a no-fault claim - can I recoup that from the at-fault party?

A couple of days, after my insurance renewed, I noticed the insurer hadn't included a no-fault claim on the history of the second named driver on the policy. My wife and I both have policies with the same...

If a car was registered to someone before me - can I reject the car and have my deposit back?

I put down a deposit on a car from a main dealer, but he now says I have to wait a few weeks for the logbook to arrive. Can I have my deposit returned?

Should I get a Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life or a Fiat Doblo?

Which would be a better long term car, the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life or the Fiat Dolbo? I would be buying secondhand and keeping the car for 10 years minimum.

Is a Smart Roadster a future classic?

Is a Smart Roadster Brabus a future classic?

My name has been put forward for speeding in a work van - how do I contest this?

I've received a letter of intended prosecution for speeding from my ex-employers. It was a firm with four vans and various drivers, but on the day and time of the speeding I cannot remember if I was driving...

My airbag didn't go off in a serious accident - are Volkswagen liable for the injuries I suffered?

My Volkswagen Golf was hit from the rear by an SUV at over 50mph. My front and rear passenger airbags went off, mine didn't. I had facial injuries, was knocked out for 20 mins and off work with very painful...

My Nissan Navara failed the MoT for a corroded chassis - what do I do?

My Nissan Navara failed the MoT due to a corroded chassis. Nissan said that they will not fix it because it's seven weeks past the warranty year. I purchased it new in 2005 and loads of Navara have this...

What economical petrol car could I replace my diesel Renault Captur with?

I do 60,000 miles per year, but with all the talk of diesel hazards, which is the best petrol car for me? I carry three patients, plus their bags. My Renault Captur is serviced every 18,000 miles as per...

Is it worth spending money on repairing a 2004 Citroen Xsara Picasso?

When you have an old car, it’s always a problem to decide at what point it no longer worth spending money on. My friend's 2004 Citroen Picasso (in good condition inside and out) needs a new clutch. She...

Do you have any advice for what to look out for buying a new car?

Do you have any advice regarding common sales techniques that car dealers might use to sell a car to a customer? Are there any in particular to be wary of?

My new Skoda Superb Estate's Front Assist feature won't work - should Skoda fix it under warranty?

I bought a new Skoda Superb Estate seven months ago. When driving a few weeks ago, a warning light appeared on the dashboard saying 'Front Assist Not Available'. The light has been on ever since. My local...

My Volkswagen Polo has endless starting problems - what could it possibly be?

I've been having a series of issues with my 2012 Volkswagen Polo for the past couple of months and I’m at my wits end as it appears to have an ‘undiagnosable’ problem. It's leaving Volkswagen and my local...

My Volkswagen Golf has a faulty DSG - as it's a known fault, should Volkswagen help me?

I have a 2011 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI. It's been suffering loss of power since purchasing the car nearly three years ago. I can be driving at normal speed and my car will suddenly lose power and I have...

I do 15,000 miles per year - should I go for petrol or diesel?

I do 15,000 miles per year and almost never do less than 30-mile round trips. I would like a diesel but think I'm on the cusp mileage wise. What do you recommend?

Is replacing a turbo an expensive job?

I have a 10 year old Kia Cee’d and my garage has just identified that the turbo is producing a whistling noise on acceleration. They also gave me the impression that to replace the turbo would be an expensive...

Can I contest a small number plate fine?

Received £100 fixed penalty fine for the number plate on my bike from a police officer. It was on the bike when I got it and I have only had it for three months. Any idea if I should contest this and,...

Will my van tow my caravan safely?

Can a Ford Tourneo Connect tow a small caravan?

What used car can I buy that will be cheap to run?

I currently own a 2003 Audi A3 1.8 and I'm looking to buy something that'll be cheaper to run. I'm considering getting a MINI, but which model can I get for under £2000? Is it likely to save me money,...

How do we make insuring a young driver cheaper?

My granddaughter, aged 18, has Just passed her driving test and needs to be mobile as her mother is partially disabled. She's been quoted £2500 to be added as a named driver on her mother's car. Is there...

Should I trade-in my diesel Volkswagen Passat for a petrol model via a scrappage scheme?

My Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI is six years old with 55,000 miles done, in good condition and DPF in good order. When would be sensible to replace it? Volkswagen is offering £6500 scrappage against...

Why does our diesel Nissan X-Trail need work done because we don't drive it enough?

I was sold a brand new Nissan X-Trail diesel almost two years ago. I told the dealer that we only travel around 8000 miles a year and now I'm being told the car needs £300 of work due to not being driven...

What checks should I do to ensure a safe car purchase?

How do I know if a car I want to buy has been written off or stolen?

The engine of my Ford Focus 1.0 failed because of a known fault - why won't Ford accept my claim?

My engine recently failed due to the faulty degas pipe, I have been in contact with Ford and they have asked for Service History records. I have provided my log book with stamps but they will only accept...

Does chipping a car give it better economy and power?

Are chips any good at giving more economy and power?