My 2007 Volkswagen Golf diesel is at 50,000 miles - should I sell it before it gets expensive?

I own a 2007 Volkswagen Golf 170 diesel with 50,000 miles on the clock, owned from new. The ESP warning lamp has just come on, it is nearly due for a cambelt change, probably needs a new set of brake discs,...

Why do you recommend runflat tyres when they ruin the ride quality?

I usually agree with your advice, but on the subject of BMW runflats my own experience leads me to disagree. Just over a year ago I bought a 335i SE with 18-inch rims and second generation Bridgestone...

I'm very pleased with my new C-Max diesel, which drives superbly.

I have recently changed to a new C-Max 5-seat 1.6 diesel. This is my first diesel and I am grateful for several tips via your column, particularly the recent one about letting out the clutch at idle revs...

What is causing my Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16v to hesitate and 'chug' under acceleration?

I am experiencing issues with my Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16v, which manifest themselves as 'chugging' or hesitating. This initially started on acceleration only but has got steadily worse to the point where...

If I buy this low mileage Mini Cooper Sports will it suffer from depreciation?

In a local BMW/MINI showroom is an X-reg Mini Cooper Sports (as per badge on the boot). It is apparently one of the last original Minis to come off the production line. It has only done 26 miles from new...

Why can't the DVLA take over the management of the Blue Badge scheme?

The Blue Badge Scheme, a much-valued facility, is sadly abused by some. It is mal-administered with varying degrees of inefficiency and bumbledom by County Councils throughout the country. I wrote to my...

Thanks for your review of the Hyundai i10 - I bought one.

I'm writing to thank you for your column in Saturday's Telegraph and the car reviews on your website. Both have informed me with unbiased information and led me to buy the new Hyundai i10 Active Auto for...

Our local council is to write to all local residents regarding their plans for speed hump installation.

You may remember that I wrote to you some time ago about the difficulties my invalid partner and I experience locally with speed humps. I write to inform you that all is not lost. After months of complaining...

Please recommend a replacement for our Renault Laguna with generous load space and good performance in snowy conditions?

We have a mixed bag of needs for a replacement of our 11-year-old Renault Laguna, which is a bit of a workhorse. We're thinking along the lines of a medium-sized estate, something we can throw skis, boots,...

Can you recommend a reliable automatic car to replace my Suzuki Liana?

I am looking to replace my 2003 Suzuki Liana, which has given me 63,000 miles of trouble-free motoring with a secondhand automatic. I read that some automatics have a tendency to expire after around 50,000...

Can you recommend a vehicle suitable for touring around Thailand?

I am moving to Thailand and would value your advice on selecting a vehicle. I wish to tour around the country and I like the look of the Toyota Camry, but I am not sure which model. My Thai friends think...

After I received a new registration document for my Volkswagen Golf, how do I know the new document is accurate?

After reading BW of Plymouth’s email and your reply, I feel a little concerned. I too bought a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI DSG Match in November of 2010 from my local main dealer. On receiving the registration...

Thanks to Liverpool Victoria insurance for refunding part of my no-claim discount after an accident.

I was hit at slow speed on packed snow just before Christmas. That day, my insurer gave me details of the repair centre, which provided a replacement vehicle the next day. The Christmas and New Year holidays...

I can confirm that Suzuki's Accident Aftercare service offers a good service for consumers.

You have expressed your worries recently that manufacturer-recommended accident aftercare might be tarred with the same brush as accident management companies and credit hire operators. But the Suzuki...

Should I pay extra for a DAB radio system in my new C-Class Mercedes-Benz?

I ordered a new C-Class Mercedes and one option strongly recommended by the salesman is DAB radio. I keep my cars for five years. Should I order DAB radio to avoid requiring a retro upgrade or impacting...

Do the police have any right to close roads for up to ten hours following a fatal accident?

When a fatal accident occurs the police close the road for up to ten hours to investigate a possible 'crime scene’, but a serious crime, if any, is seldom detected. This may be all right where there are...

Why is my Volkswagen Polo's engine cutting out whilst I'm driving it?

I bought a new Volkswagen Polo SEL 1.6 CR/DPF 90PS 5-speed manual in November 2010. It now has 1,500 miles on the clock. It stalled at a junction soon after I bought it, then a few months later the engine...

Does my 2005 Audi Avant require a cam belt change at 115,000 miles or at 75,000 miles?

I have a 2005 Audi Avant A4 2.0T petrol, having on your advice changed from diesels as I now do much less mileage. I have owned it for two and a half years and the service handbook indicates a cam belt...

Is it common for the water pumps in the Saab 9-3 1.9TDi to fail?

My Saab 9-3 1.9TiD was due for a new cam belt at 72,000 so it went to our local garage at 71,000 two weeks ago. Service as well. I duly paid £405 and collected it when ready. Last Tuesday I was driving...

Why is my Skoda Fabia Greenline II returning worse mpg than the Fabia Greenline I I had previously?

I have recently bought a Skoda Fabia Greenline II estate, having run a Greenline I estate for nearly three years and easily achieved the stated combined mpg of 68.9. It was therefore with confidence that...

What causing an airbag malfunction in my Mercedes-Benz CLK 350 and does it mean the airbags aren't functional?

I have been having problems with the airbag warning light since last September on my 50,000 mile 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK 350. The light has been on for the majority of the time and four repairs have so...

Which tyres should I fit to my Porsche 911 993 which offer the quietest performance?

I am about to change the complete set of tyres for my Porsche 911 993. I currently have Contisport Contact N1. Assuming all the N-rated tyres from all the big manufacturers are of roughly equal performance...

Should a car hire company return its copy of my driving licence to me after the hire is finished?

I had to hire a car this week. The firm asked to see my licence and the paper part, both of which they photocopied. That’s ok, but am I entitled to ask for this copy to be returned to me when I finish...

Why is undertaking still considered 'careless driving'?

What is this latest nonsense of classifying passing on the nearside as careless driving? On a journey from Inverness to Birmingham at the beginning of this week, I must have undertaken 30 - 40 vehicles...

Why is my Jaguar XF more expensive to tax than my S-Type, despite producing less CO2 emissions?

I am trying to obtain an explanation for the following. I recently sold my S-Type Jaguar, which was listed as having a CO2 emission of CO2 g/km of 274 and paid £245 for the tax renewal in 09/2010. I then...

Which Land Rover?

Landrover Defender; which year & model simplest to maintain & repair?

Faulty fuelling

I have a 54-plate 2.0-litre petrol Mondeo. After about five miles the car dies out like I have run out of fuel. I changed the fuel pump and filter as the AA told me that was the fault, but it's still...

Which has the biggest payload?

Which has the highest payload out of the VW Sharan, Seat Alhambra & Ford Galaxy diesel models? Are there any other diesel passenger cars out there with higher payloads than the vehicles above?

Left hand drives in the UK

Dear Sir, I will be working in the UK for a year from Jan 2012. I want to buy a LHD small hatchback to use while I'm in the UK and then take back home to Hungary. Can I order the car from UK dealers and...

Double blippers

I have been to view a second hand Kia Picanto 2006 (06) and the engine kept cutting out whilst it was stood on the forecourt. The dealer has since rang me back to say that the problem was due to both keys...

Satisfied customer

Late in 2010 we asked HJ on advice for a 7 seater 4 x 4,which you highly recommended. My wife purchased the new Santa Fe in November & we have been very pleased with the car. It has performed everything...

Summer cabriolet

I have been looking at a Mercedes Cabriolet CLK 200K Avangarde Auto. It is an 09 plate with 10k on the clock and is priced at £18,999. I like the style and ambience of the car, but is it a good buy at...

What's wrong with a 1.6 TDI?

I have had Skoda Octavia TDI 1.9 Ambiente hatchback for almost eleven years and now I am going to buy a Skoda Octavia TDI 1.6. Ambiente hatchback. What is the difference between these two cars? I have...