My oil warning light came on after 5000 miles - should I be concerned?

I bought a new Golf at the end of 2018 which I intend to keep long term. It drives very nicely but after 5000 miles the oil warning light came on, I topped up with synthetic 0/20 grade oil, about 500 ml...

What's a good project car to dismantle with my son so he can learn about cars?

I want to find a car that I can take apart with my eight-year-old son so he can learn about how a car is put together. It should be small so the components are light, not too many sealed electrical bits...

Where can I get paint codes for a Citroen 2CV?

I'm trying to find paint codes for a Citroen 2CV Charleston yellow/black. Please can you help?

Where there is a clear non-fault accident why do I have to pay the excess for my insurance?

Where there is a clear non-fault accident why do I have to pay the excess for my insurance and then wait up to six months to reclaim it? It’s quite a sizeable excess £600. This feels grossly unfair? When...

Do I need to tax and insure a car which is on SORN before I can sell it?

I need to sell my mother in law's car. It has been off the road on SORN for the last year. I have now had an MoT test done again and the car has passed. Do I need to tax and insure the vehicle before being...

Is the simple act of merely retaining the V5C committing a criminal offence?

Is the simple act of merely retaining the V5C committing a criminal offence? I know about the pre-registered car and keeping the log book for three or six months by dealers. My dealer has a very good name...

Why have keyless entry system become so popular?

Why the rush to fit keyless systems? Is it just a scam to fit a “premium” feature in a vehicle. I for one, would not want such a system. Physical keys have their faults but all in all, are quite satisfactory.

What's the best car cover to buy?

I need a reasonably priced full car cover for protection against heavy dust/grit and possibly small stone chippings coming from my neighbour's house which is undergoing a major renovation until the end...

What OBD scanner do you recommend?

I own a Honda Jazz and want to buy a scanner that will read things like ABS and other "deeper" issues that regular scanners won't read. Could you advise me which one to buy?

What should I look for when buying a Cat S or Cat N write off?

I'm looking to replace my 2002 Nissan Micra with something similar and am thinking of the Dacia Sandero. I have seen a few examples online for £3500 on a 16 plate but both were Cat S cars, now repaired....

What tracking device do you suggest I buy?

I am taking delivery of a new car in July. Which tracking device do you recommend I fit? Secondly, should I invest in Autoglym lifetime protection?

Is it worth upgrading to Michelin Cross Climates for my Skoda Fabia Estate?

I have just take delivery of a new Skoda Fabia Estate 1.0TSI 110SE. It comes fitted with Nexen NBlue tyres. These do not seem to be very well reviewed. Is it worth upgrading to Michelin Cross Climates...

My new car has an electric parking brake - how do I use it on a hill?

My recently purchased Peugeot 3008 comes with an electric parking brake as standard. This is the first car I have owned with this type of brake, and I am struggling to master it. With the car on a level...

What's the situation with insurance if I want to lend my car to a colleague for a few weeks?

I presently have two cars because I've bought my new one and not yet sold my old one. They are both taxed and insured on separate policies with different providers, for me only to drive. A colleague who...

What do you suggest as a good family tow car?

I am looking for a family car that can tow a 1690Kg but still be economical on my daily 15 commute to work. My price range £17,000 to £21,000.

Should I change from diesel to petrol?

I bought my diesel Toyota Yaris new in 2011. I’m 70 next year and may be doing more short journeys than long ones - not so good for a diesel engine plus diesel is now more expensive than petrol. Should...

We need a practical family car for £20,000 - what do you suggest?

I need to buy my wife a family car that will cope with two children under two years old and all the paraphernalia that goes with them, including a double buggy. We probably drive less than 10000 miles...

What's the best used PHEV with a big boot and three full size rear seats?

I'm looking for second-hand petrol plug-in hybrid, from 2014 onwards, with three full-size adult seats in back, roof rack bars and as big a boot as possible for camping equipment. Any suggestions?

I can't unlock the boot on my BMW 318ti - can you help?

I have a 1995 BMW 318ti with a manufacturer fitted alarm system. The lock system works with the remote along with the doors but I am suddenly locked out of the boot. The doors work fine but I cannot unlock...

I ordered a new car but when it arrived it was the wrong colour - what can I do?

I ordered a new BMW X3 20i in February. The dealer sent me the spec of the car on and the documentation showed the colour I wanted. I confirmed the spec by reply email and asked him to order the car. Later...

What's the cheapest car to insure for for my son and his wife returning to the UK from abroad?

My son (48) and his German wife (56) are returning to the UK from Canada. I understand most insurance costs do not recognise NCB obtained from abroad. What car would you recommend to start the NCB ball...

I need a second hand car for £15k - what do you suggest?

I'm in the market for a second-hand car and I'm interested in an Evoque or similar semi-luxury car for up to £15,000. The catch is that I would prefer petrol and all the ones I look at are diesel. I only...

What's the best van based car or van for under £3000?

What's the best van based car or van for under £3000 suitable for carrying a couple of dog cages and towing a small lightweight trailer?

Are all-season tyres a good investment?

I need to buy two new front tyres for my Audi A3 Sportback and wondered whether it was a good idea to buy all season tyres and if so, which make you would recommend? If this is not a good idea, what tyres...

Is the Ford Powershift gearbox reliable?

I have conflicting information concerning the Mondeo Powershift gearbox. On the one hand I have read that the gearbox is unreliable and on the other hand, that all will be well if the gearbox oil is changed...

Which space saver will fit my car?

I have an Audi A3 with 225/45 R17 wheels. What size space saver can I use?

Why are there not more hydrogen cars?

Why do manufacturers not making onboard hydrogen assist cars and vans to at least reduce emissions?

Is tyre sealant effective for punctures or should I buy a spare wheel?

I have just bought a new Volvo V40 which has not been supplied with a spare wheel, do you recommend sealant for a repair or buying a spare?

Where can I find an honest garage near me?

I need a garage that I can rely on to keep my car in good order. Any recommendations?

I'm in my 60s and getting ready to take my test - which car would you recommend for me?

I'm in my late 60s and getting ready to take my test for the first time in a few months. Which car would you recommend for me to buy please?

My car is at the dealer needing repairs but there's no date as to when this might happen - what can I do?

My 2016 Vauxhall Astra has been at the dealership now for nearly a month. It apparently needs a completely new engine and it's under warranty. The Vauxhall dealership say they cannot give me any timescale...

Is my sat nav legal to use in France?

I have a Ford Mondeo Titanium and I understand the sat nav is only available for UK and NI. I am going to France later this year and am thinking of buying a Tom Tom 52 5 Full Europe. Can I make if fully...

Are there any small cars with sliding doors?

I am returning to the UK after some years and shall need to change my car. I currently have a Renault Kangoo diesel. It's economical, spacious, comfortable, with upright, high and I love the sliding doors...

Is there a dash cam that will record who is keying my car?

Is there a dash cam that will record who is keying my car? It's parked on the street outside my house and I am the only car that’s being keyed. It’s happened three times and every time I've had it repaired...

My car has keyless start but not keyless entry - should I be worried about theft?

I am buying a Volvo XC40 with keyless start but without keyless entry. Should I be concerned about security and buy a Faraday bag or is this more so for keyless entry protection.

What's the most comfortable riding car for rough roads and potholes?

What's the most comfortable riding car for rough roads and potholes?

In the UK you insure the driver, in Spain you insure the car - which method is better?

In the UK you insure the driver, in Spain you insure the car that can be driven by any qualifying driver over 25. What are the consequences of making a claim on either method? Spanish insurance is much...

Would switching from run flats mean a more forgiving ride?

I have a 2016 BMW X4 which has just been MOT'd, I was discussing the merits of changing my run flats for cross climates with the tester in order to have a more forgiving ride as the X4 is very fidgety...

I found damage to my car after a ferry crossing - can I claim from the ferry company?

I returned recently by ferry from Ireland and travelled straight home after docking in Holyhead. The next morning I found what appeared to be footprint marks on the roof of the car. Thinking my car had...

A dealer won't refund my deposit but the website says I have the right to cancel - what can I do?

I saw a car on a dealer's website. I spoke with him and he asked for a deposit to hold it until I inspected it, which I did within a few days. He said that the deposit was non-refundable. His website states,...

Is there any benefit to changing our car insurance should one of us die?

My wife and I, both 71, own two cars. We very occasionally drive the other's car, but it's rare. Historically the insurance (Saga, with a long and protected NCD) and reg docs for both cars is in my name....

What are the best tyres for my Mazda 2?

I need to replace two front tyres on my Mazda 2 Sport. The tyres currently fitted are Dunlop Enasave and have done 23000 miles. Are there any suitable tyres other than the Enasave?

I want to reject my car - can I withhold finance payments on it?

I bought a car on finance that had problems. The garage fixed them, so they said, but the problem is back. I have raised this with the finance as the garage keep fobbing me off, so I am rejecting the car....

Do turbo engines have to work harder than naturally aspirated ones?

I have a 2013 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 petrol. I am looking to change it, but the newer ones all seem to have smaller engines with boosters. Does that mean that the engine will work that much harder and so not...

How do I apply for historic classification of my car?

I have just received the log book for a recently purchased Series 2 Land Rover. It shows the taxation class as historic but there is no mention of how to, or if I have to, apply to use it on the road.

What are the different types of automatic transmission?

I read the motoring press and see mention of differing types of automatic transmission. But what are the different types and which is best?

We want to downsize from a Tiguan - what small crossover do you suggest?

My wife drives a manual Volkswagen Tiguan. She has a disability and now needs a smaller car but with a similar height to the Tiguan. Four-wheel drive is not essential although it does need to accommodate...

What is the best Nextbase dash cam with rear camera?

What is the best Nextbase dash cam with rear camera?

What's the best way to refurb a worn seat bolster on a car with leather upholstery?

My 2003 BMW 320Ci with full leather grey interior has a worn bolster on the driver's seat. What is the best way to refurbish it?

What diagnostics interface do you recommend?

I have a Mitsubishi L200. Can anyone recommend an OBD2 diagnostic interface that works with this model? I'm talking about something verified, in a decent budget.