What is causing my Mercedes-Benz E320 diesel to smoke under acceleration?

I have a 2002 Mercedes E320 diesel automatic estate. It has done 115,000 miles and I now use mainly Shell V-Power or other brand fuel, but I have been guilty of using supermarket diesel in the past. When...

Should I buy a used Skoda Superb diesel?

I am looking for a used Skoda Superb estate as our family car as I am 6-feet 3-inches and my teenage sons are 6-feet 5-inches and 6-feet 1-inch (and growing). We also have two Labradors to transport. The...

Is there an easy way of getting glow plugs out of a Mercedes-Benz E300D?

I have a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E300D, the last without any electronics. It's at 212,000 miles and still going quite well, but I have a problem when my local independent garage has to change a glow plug. They...

Which diesel pick-up should I buy?

I am considering purchasing a high spec double cab pick-up for use as a family car and 'gardening/camping' duties. My mileage would be some 6000 per annum and the longest average journey would be some...

Is my Skoda Octavia reliable because of my driving style?

I read your slightly dismissive comments a couple of weeks ago on the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Passat 2005-2011. I have had a 2-litre diesel Octavia L & K for almost seven years and have covered 77,000...

Where can I sell our Skoda Octavia with a failed turbo?

Despite regular maintenance, we were travelling through the Brecon Beacons in our 100,000 mile 2005 Skoda Octavia 2.0TDI estate when the turbo blew, with clouds of while oily smoke. We paid a £1700 bill...

Should my son lease a Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage?

My eldest son is looking to lease over four years either a Nissan Qashqai 1.5dCi or Kia Sportage 1.7dCi. For 10,000 miles per year quotes on both are very similar. However he will be doing 14,000 miles...

Focus diesel runs rough when cold

My Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi 05 plate runs rough when cold - like a petrol car 'missing.' It's OK when accelerating. I have had the glow plugs changed but it made no difference.

Do you recommend the Dacia Duster for towing a caravan?

My wife and I are looking at car and caravan combinations, and are considering something like a Skoda Octavia estate or a Dacia Duster to pull a caravan of up to 1200 kg. The manufacturers give quite a...

Which family MPV will be reliable and has room for three adults in the back seats?

Our 12-year-old Renault Kangoo is now on its last legs, our Hyundai i20 is too small as a main family car for two adults and three growing kids, and we no longer need two cars. I love the cavernous boot...