Two Citroen main dealers had very different solutions to a squealing noise from my Xsara Picasso.

I have a Citroen Xsara Picasso (diesel) with 91,000 miles on the clock. A squealing noise, sounding like a slack alternator drive belt, developed when accelerating. The car was booked into the nearest...

Eclectic shock

We have just bought a second hand car from a dealer and we found we had to immediately replace broken rear springs and shock absorbers. We understand that we can claim against the dealer, especially as...

Golf war

On 23 October 2009 I purchased a 2002 Golf 130 TDI from an established dealer for £4,500. It had 97,500 miles on the clock, but single owner and FSH, main dealer to 88,000. It came with a warranty from...

My Hyundai i30 still has a fault despite French Hyundai garages attempting to fix it. Should I return it to the UK?

You may recall that some weeks I approached you with a problem concerning my i30 diesel auto here in France and how I could not get a Hyundai garage to remedy the fault. An update. Two Hyundai garages...

Should I buy GAP insurance from the dealership with my Toyota Prius?

I am buying a two-year-old Toyota Prius for £12,000. The dealership wants to sell me GAP insurance for £350 for three years - ouch! Do you agree that this type of insurance is sensible? I can get four...

I have a BMW 320d SE first registered November 2002, that I bought second hand from a BMW dealer in 2006. The aircon pump was about to fail a month ago, picked up by my estimable mobile mechanic and he...

Glowing report

I own a Mercedes C220CDI and at the last service I was advised that 3 glowplugs need replacing. A price was quoted but I was advised that if the plugs were difficult to remove or broke in the process the...

How do Suzuki make money during a cost price sale event?

My Suzuki dealer has sent me an 'exclusive invitation' as a valued customer, as they must sell 40 new cars to reach their target (assumedly before the new registration) within the next 10 days. They are...

Crash curse

My son bought a 2005 Honda Civic Type R from a dealer three weeks ago. The nearside headlight unit held condensation and we asked an independent motor engineer friend to replace it. Whilst completing the...

Cam trick

My wife has a Volkswagen Polo S 1.2 64PS registered 06. The VW dealer has told her that she should have the cambelt changed as the car is 4 years old. But it has only done 30,000 miles and I thought the...