Buying a car with good access

I need advice on buying a used car for a friend who has mobility issues and finds it difficult to bend when getting into a car. He wants a fairly normal car but understands that a 4x4 might have to be...

Camshaft snapped due to missing shell bearing from new - what shall I do?

I bought a 2009 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI Zetec with 34,000 miles on the clock three months ago. However, two weeks ago it starting making a loud noise which turned out to be a broken camshaft due to a shell...

What's the best small used car to replace a 2002 Yaris?

I am looking to replace my 2002 Toyota Yaris 1.3 SR, which I have had for 10 years. I am currently doing a weekly commute between Southampton and Torquay, a route mainly of fast A-roads and dual carriageways...

What's the best family hatchback?

I want to replace my Mazda 3 (2004). I do 10,000 miles per year, which averages about 50% on motorways. I'm retired and would like to keep the car for several years, so low running costs are important....

Can you recommend a car with fully adjustable steering?

My Mercedes A-Class (2010) has very comfortable seats, but the steering wheel does not extend forwards for a comfortable arm driving position. This affects both my friend (six foot one) and myself (five...

Buying a hot hatch - what's best?

I am considering the MINI Cooper S - the new version yet to be released. But, using MINI's online configurator and adding 90% of the options on offer, the price unsurprisingly rockets by £10,000 bringing...

Ford Fiesta slows down and speeds up itself at 70mph - what's going on?

My Ford Fiesta diesel, which has done 80,000 miles, has stated acting odd. At around 70 mph I start gently rocking back and forth in the seat - it feels like the brakes are being applied gently. It's more...

Buying a new estate - Passat or Mondeo?

I want to buy a new large petrol engined automatic estate as I only do 6000 town miles per annum. Sub £23k via a car broker will get me a Volkswagen Passat 1.4 DSG Executive or a Ford Mondeo 2.0 Powershift...

Buying a 4x4 to cope with flood aftermath

Unexpectedly, I urgently need to swap my Ford Focus (56 plate Zetec Climate, 1.8 petrol 57k miles) for a car with four wheel drive and much more ground clearance. We live at the end of a steep farm track...

buying car to 'share' with 17 year old son

I have persuaded my soon to be 17 year old son not to spend his savings on a car as he would not be able to afford to run it as he will be a student for at least another year. I need to change my car now...