Would you recommend I buy a Saab 9-3 Linear SE?

In a past life I have owned a Saab 9000 LPT and an early 9-3 LPT, both of which I enjoyed. For the past year I have been running my late wife’s Skoda Fabia. I am tempted to look for an older Saab at around...

Does the timing belt need changing on my wife's Skoda Fabia?

My wife has a Skoda Fabia 1.2 HTP 60, which she uses mainly for shopping trips and has done 10,100 miles from new. It is now coming up for its four year service and she has been told by the Skoda dealer...

What do you think of the 2012 Vauxhall Astra 1.4T?

My wife is thinking of buying a 12-month-old Vauxhall Astra with either a 1.6 or 1.4T (turbo) petrol engine. Do you have any thoughts on these engines as regards to general reliability, specific problems,...

Should my wife replace her SEAT Ibiza with another, or go for a Hyundai i20 or KIA Rio?

My wife’s 2007 1.2-litre SEAT Ibiza, although providing six years of trouble-free motoring, is now due for change and she has narrowed her choice of replacement down to three possibilities (all 5-door,...

Can you recommend a used car for my aunt and uncle for under £5500?

I am writing on behalf of my aunt and uncle who are looking to buy a used car. They would like something that would be reliable and powerful enough to keep up with modern traffic. They would prefer to...

Can you recommend an economical, reliable car for local journeys?

My wife and I are looking to change our Chevrolet Matiz, first registered in March 2010 and would welcome your suggestions as to a similar sized replacement. Important considerations include a width not...

At what point did the Volkswagen Polo switch to chain-driven cams?

I am considering purchasing a Volkswagen Polo, either new or used. However in the past you have mentioned that the cam drive and pulleys on some models are suspect but the later models now have chain drives....

Are there any known faults with the Skoda 1.4 TSI engine?

Might I ask you for your advice on the 1.4 TSI engine? Does it have any inherent faults? I am considering buying a new Octavia Estate, and having run BMWs in the past I have no knowledge of this engine,...

Does my 2008 Volkswagen Golf have a belt cam or a chain cam, and how should it be maintained?

Several years ago I purchased a 2008 Golf Plus 1.4 TSI. When I purchased the car I was adamant that I wanted a chain cam system as a result of the problems with belt cams. The Volkswagen dealer assured...

My husband needs a petrol manual car with a large boot - is the Audi A4 Avant worth considering?

My husband needs to replace his ageing 1999 Saab 9-5 Estate SE 2.0-litre turbo with Hersch management system. It has 80,000 on the clock. Should he look for a similar car circa four years old, or consider...