Is the Toyota Yaris Cross a good buy?

I am currently considering buying a Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, new or near-new. Are you aware of any significant reliability issues that might influence my choice?

What cheap to run small automatic for under £3000 do you recommend?

We are looking at 2008 Toyota Aygo automatic as run about for my wife, attracted by £20 tax, fuel economy and reliability. But it seems expensive compared to others. Can you suggest better option where...

The cambelt in my Citroen has deteriorated despite only owning the car for seven months, what are my options?

I have a Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer. It was registered in March 2019, and I bought it second hand in April 2021. A few months ago, the car cut out and a fault came up "Oil Pressure Fault" (it cut out...

Why is my imported Toyota Prius charged a higher rate of VED?

I recently purchased 2020 Toyota Prius imported and the road tax is £345 where as other vehicles paying £170 per year. Is there any way I can challenge it?

What mud & snow tyres would you recommend for a Honda CR-V?

I have a 2013 Honda CR-V currently on size 225/60R18 (100V) tyres. Can you recommend an appropriate mud and snow tyre for me please?

Which version of the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports is better?

I'm looking at buying a used Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. Is it worth getting the new (2023) model or would the drive/handling of a 2021 model suffice?

I need a seven seater that is ULEZ compliant for £6000, what are my options?

I'm looking to buy a 7 seater, £6000 budget. We currently have a Vauxhall Zafira and had nothing but problems with the gearbox. So I'm looking for another 7 seater that is ULEZ compliant, what are my options?...

What's a good family friendly car on a budget?

My daughter has a 4 year old Suzuki Swift bought on finance but now needs a larger family friendly car with a bigger boot. She's looking for a second hand reliable economical to run car but is on a tight...

What small automatic would you recommend?

I'm looking for a small automatic car which could be a petrol hybrid. Probably a year or 2 years old, what would you recommend?

How long should heated seats last?

The heated drivers seat on my 2017 Volvo V40 stopped working when it was just under 3 years old and it was repaired under warranty by my local Volvo dealer. However just over 3 years later it has stopped...

Can you overtake cyclists on double white lines?

A short way from my home is a hill approximately 2 miles in length. There are double white lines in the centre of the road. There are lots of cyclists on the road, mostly in groups and commonly at weekends....

My TPMS system shows a warning when the car is cold, but disappears when it is warm. Should I inflate the tyres more to avoid this?

I have a Toyota Yaris Cross and recently the in-car tyre pressure readout keeps showing a number of tyres as being below the required pressure. However, after driving the car for a while, the tyre pressure...

Is there anything interesting second hand to buy you'd recommend?

Showrooms and forecourts are dreary places these days - like looking for a washing machine. No SUV's or EV's or diesels please but is there anything used, reasonably aerodynamic but interesting/ less common...

Will the £40,000 premium car tax level ever increase?

It is almost impossible to buy an EV with a near 300 mile range for less than the magic £40k. Do you think there are grounds for raising the limit to £45k? I don’t believe the £40k band has ever changed.

Should I choose an automatic or manual MINI Cooper S?

I plan to buy a MINI Cooper S. The price is the same for a manual or double-clutch transmission. I prefer to use a manual box, which I assume is more reliable than a DCT. However, I would appreciate your...

My MINI Cooper S 2014 central display is not working, is there a fix for this?

I have a 2014 Mini Cooper S. The central display opens, moves to the main menu then goes blank. This cycle then repeats ad infinitum. In the short period the main menu is shown, the radio can be adjusted...

What's the most economical small SUV?

What is the most economical small SUV? I've been looking at the Puma (say 1 year old) but after reading your review of the ST you don't get many miles to the gallon. My main journeys are mostly local....

What's the best estate car for a new driver?

My son is looking for his first car, preferably a tourer/estate for going camping with all his gear. He has a budget of up to £8000. Which cars might suit him best?

A newer version of the same model car has higher CO2, why is this?

I have just purchased a 2021 (21 plate) Ford Focus ST-Line 1.5 diesel 120hp and part exchanged a 2019 (19 plate) Ford Focus ST-Line 1.5 diesel 120hp because it was approaching a 5 year old cut off that...

How often should I have my oil and filter changed?

How often should I change the oil and filter on my 2018 Ford C-MAX diesel?

I want a small, frugal car with good boot space that is fun to drive, what are my options?

I'm on my second Panda, now 15 years old. I really like it but time to change, what was good, 1.3 diesel power, suprising amount of fun and decent handling, what is bad, fold down rear seats, no flat load...

I can't pick up my new car until January but the dealer wants to register it in December, will this affect its value?

After ordering my car 7 months ago, it has now arrived. I am going on holiday and can't collect it until January. My dealer says he must register it in December even though I will not have use of it. Will...

Where is the fusebox on a Ford Ka+?

Where can I find the fusebox for Ford Ka + 2018? Looked under bonnet of car as other sites say the fuse for washer pump is there. Tried there but no single fuses that I could see. Looked in glovebox and...

Is it better to do a speed awareness course or take three points and a fine?

Is it better to do a speed awareness course or take three penalty points?

Can I trickle charge my hybrid?

I own a Kia Niro PHEV and about to be out of the country for about seven weeks. I have bought an AA 4.8W solar-powered trickle charger. It includes the ability to use the EOBD socket as wellas normal battery...

My daughter has a service plan but the has dealer closed down, what can we do?

My daughter bought a new Suzuki car back in 2019 from a Suzuki dealership in Cornwall, early this year she took out a service plan for which she pays monthly, the actual dealership she bought the plan...

Are SEAT Arona models with with DSG reliable?

I am considering buying an Arona automatic, but concerned that is has a DSG gearbox. Should I be worried?

Is law that all new cars must be fitted with an SOS emergency button?

I have a 2022 Vauxhall Grandland SRi. I understand that as of April 2018 all vehicles manufactured after this date must be fitted with a SOS button by law. As my car is not fitted with this I spoke to...

My brand new Alfa Romeo has developed a gearbox fault, what are my next steps?

Our 1 week old Alfa has been diagnosed with a gearbox problem, what should I do?

How does my protected no claims work?

I recently was involved in an accident (at fault but no other parties involved). I've tried to understand how the NCD works but is confusing from the same insurer. So, my policy documents state: Protected...

Can my daughter reject her faulty car?

My daughter bought a Mokka X Elite on the 7th August, after six days the engines management light came on. She contacted the garage who after a discussion agreed to pick up the car. After seven days she...

I've seen a camper for sale but have been told it was under a leaseback contract, is this right?

I am in the market to buy a campervan and saw one offered by a company online that have campers, motorhome and industrial machinery. When I enquired after a particular vehicle I received a reply stating 'This...

What car would you recommend for a tall young driver?

We live on the Isle of Man where you are allowed to drive from age 16. Our son reaches that age next year. He is already over 6ft tall so the tiniest of cars isn’t really an option. Luckily insurance costs...

Are the BMW diesel engines in P38 Range Rovers reliable?

With the weather becoming more unpredictable and winter soon upon us I've been looking at a 1999 P38 DT 2.5 DSE with the BMW engine. 1. Are there any known common faults with that engine? 2. Is the engine...

Does cruise control work at 20mph?

Just an interesting observation on the 20mph speed limit. I normally set cruise control where possible at 30mph or where there are similar restrictions. However have you tried setting automatic speed control...

Will my daughter be charged for leaving the scene of an accident?

My daughter was driving home at 3am on Sunday morning in dark rainy conditions, she skidded, lost control and hit the kerb and a traffic light (which was damaged) She left the car in a safe place nearby...

Is supermarket fuel poor quality?

Is supermarket fuel quality being compromised due to the large mark up they are being allowed to charge? My 25k mile Audi Q7 engine light came on recently and turned out it was a Nox sensor failure, Strange...

Does a Honda CR-V need specific engine oil?

I am thinking of buying a Honda CR-V 2018 petrol and keeping it for a long time. As such I would be getting the oil changed every six months or 5000 miles, however I have just been told that Honda engines...

Are there advantages to having oil fed cam belts?

Are there advantages to having oil fed cam belts?

Should you put grease on battery terminals to protect from corrosion?

Should you put grease on battery terminals to protect from corrosion?

Can I insure my 2003 BMW X5 as a classic?

I live in Enfield where i have to pay ULEZ. Vehicle is currently off road declared SORN, however I want to get the vehicle back on road in a month or two. I covered only 200 miles a year prior to ULEZ. I...

Do dealers have to keep parts available for cars up to 10 years old?

I have a 9 year old Vauxhall Meriva B 1.4 Petrol Turbo. The steering pump has failed (again) and has failed its MoT. I cannot find a replacement pump either new, reconditioned or even second hand. A garage...

Can I disable the automatic locking on my MG ZS EV?

I have recently purchased a 70 plate MG ZS EV. It has automatic central locking when the car travels above a set speed ? 10 or 20mph. Is it possible for this to be disabled? It can be done by pressing...

Is it illegal to use front fog lights when there is no fog?

Driving at night, I notice an increasing number of drivers clearly using their fog lights as an extra set of headlights when there is no fog anywhere to be seen - is this usage legal ?

What pickup do you recommend for towing a horse box?

I live on a farm in a hilly location and currently have a Mitsubishi L200for towing. It has been a decent truck, but the engine isn't robust enough to tow big horses up and down hills. I'm looking at...

Do both my fog lights need to work to pass an MoT?

My offside rear fog light turns on but nearside doesn't. Will this fail an MoT on the basis 'all lights should be working' or since the critical offside fog light works it will pass?

My brand new Skoda has a gearbox issue, should I reject it?

We picked up our Skoda Octavia iV estate 3 weeks ago (after an eighteen month wait) and it looks like it has a gear box problem - it’s gone back to the dealership today and we’re awaiting full diagnostics....

When does a 1984 classic car become tax exempt?

I've been offered a Mercedes saloon first registered May 2nd 1984, the owner reckons it'll be tax exempt 7 months from now, but from reading bits and pieces I don't think it'll become tax exempt until...

My Mercedes E-Class has to pay ULEZ the same car with a larger engine but is exempt, is this right?

I have a 1995 Mercedes W124 convertible. I love the car but it is not ULEZ compliant. I have recently seen the same model and year for sale that is stated as ULEZ compliant and I have checked against its...

What sunglasses work with a head-up display?

I can't find any, apart from BMW Vi/ON/ sunglasses that don't block the head up display or HUD. I'm not convinced the BMW sunglasses work as described. Do you have any suggestions?