Which wheels and tyres can I fit to my BMW 318i to improve the ride comfort and noise?

My May 2011 BMW 318i SE came on 17-inch wheels and 45 profile Bridgestone tyres. The ride is hard and the tyres noisy. What might I consider to improve things without affecting the stability of the car?...

Should I buy extras like shine protection, GAP protection etc for our used car?

My wife is buying a used car from a franchised dealer and, as expected, the sales pitch for various extras was employed. Life shine car protection: £350. Gap protection insurance: £399. Another insurance:...

What is the Aston Martin MGB prototype, currently in the Classics section, worth?

What value would you put on the Aston Martin MGB in the Classics section of your website? This was a prototype MGB built by Aston Martin in 1979 with the idea of continuing production when BL boss Michael...

Why won't the dealer replace a faulty Octavia clutch under warranty?

A friend of mine has a two-year-old Skoda Octavia with about 11,000 miles on the clock. It is still under warranty. Recently on a short journey to the supermarket he felt the clutch beginning to slip,...

What car with a high roof could I replace my old Agila with?

The time is approaching for me to replace my old model Agila. The high roof level has been great because it enables me to adjust the seat to cope with my dodgy back. I am looking for something similar...

Can I force Volkswagen to help with an ABS/ESP fault on my Golf?

I have a fault with the ESP and ABS lights coming on intermittently in my Golf, and the car starts to jerk and brake on its own accord when the ESP light starts flashing at very low speeds. I think I have...

Which engine version of the Dacia Sandero Ambiance would you recommend?

We are looking to replace my wife's 2005 Focus and have been looking at the Dacia Sandero Ambiance. I know that Dacia is owned by Renault, but is this car a credible alternative? It will be mainly used...

Thanks for your advice on changing the wheels on my Ford B-Max.

After becoming almost paranoiac over my 17-inch wheel problem, yesterday, for a total of £700 I equipped my Ford B-Max Titanium with 15-inch Ford Zetec alloy wheels shod with the appropriate 195/60 Michelin...

Can I fit 15-inch tyres to my Vauxhall Meriva with tyres which are effective in winter?

My car is a Vauxhall Meriva 1.7 CDTi XP, which means that it is factory fitted with 205/45 R17 tyres. These tyres have been fine in the good weather but have offered very little grip in snow and icy conditions....

Where can I hire a car which I can drive in France?

Last week I had to donate my 1996 Volkswagen Golf to a breakers' yard in France because the cost to fix it would be much more than the car’s value. We returned by rail. However, I now find that because...

We'd like to replace our underpowered Fiesta with a 1.4-litre Punto - do you have any advice?

Having had two 5-door 1242cc Fiat Puntos and loved them, we then PX’d for a Ford Fiesta 1242cc Style almost three years ago. We have been disappointed with the Ford’s performance. We loved the easy driving...

Is there any chance of a goodwill contribution from MINI over a failed Cooper S water pump?

My daughter has a 2006 MINI Cooper S which needs a new water pump. Sytner MINI Sheffield has quoted £590. I read water pumps have been a problem. Do you think there is any chance of a goodwill contribution...

Should we buy another Honda Jazz or look at the Ford Fiesta 1.25?

My wife’s Chinese-built Honda Jazz 1.2 is now five and a half years old and is approaching 50,000 miles. She drives around 8000 miles a year, including a fortnightly motorway round trip of 180 miles. We...

I'm about to get a new top spec Mazda 6 as a company car - should I report back on my experiences over the next three years?

My company Skoda Superb estate was wrecked in December last year and since then I have been driving around in an Octavia estate from the company pool, which took me 17,000 kilometres in six months from...

Would you recommend the Citroen C3 Desire for easy access?

I need a car that will help make it easier for my 83-year old mother to get in and out of and I have limited budget. Could you comment on a 2006 Citroen C3.1.4 Desire for £1500?

Can you recommend a car-buying site?

I believe that on several occasions you have recommended a particular car-buying site. May I have the details please.

Should I buy a manual or automatic (torque converter) Mercedes-Benz SLK200?

I am looking at Mercedes-Benz SLK 200s on offer at www.cargiant.co.uk. There is a 31,251 mile 2010 manual at £13,499 and a 14,871 mile 2010 automatic at £16,799. Would you consider this a better buy than...

Can you recommend a roofbox for my Skoda Yeti?

I have this week purchased a Skoda Yeti 1.8TSI 160 4WD, which I am very pleased with. However as the boot is small compared to my Previous Renault Scenic, I need a roof box or bag. As I am a woman I need...

I recommend buying winter tyres in summer for a big discount.

It’s summer and, having sourced four original wheels from a scrapper, I have today purchased winter tyres each at less than £50 including VAT. These are a top brand, too. I could have bought cheaper ones....

I'd like to recommend Wolfrace for supplying 16-inch wheels for my Chevrolet Orlando.

I needed a new set of tyres for my Chevrolet Orlando with 18-inch rims. They would cost me between £550-£600. Wolfrace did me a set of 16-inch alloys with decent quality tyres, balanced and fitted for...

How can I prove the sale of my son's Piaggio scooter?

My son sold his Piaggio scooter on 20 May. I completed the details of the new owner and sent the V5C to the DVLA, leaving him with Section 10 V5C/2. I have had a letter from them this week informing me...

Can I run 87 or 89 octane fuel in my Mazda CX-7?

We recently purchased a low mileage Mazda CX-7 as a second car. The 244HP 2.3-litre turbo engine is very thirsty and the manual calls for 91 octane fuel. Can 87 or 89 octane be used without harm, other...

Would you recommend the Isuzu Rodeo for load carrying, towing etc?

My parents have a diesel Volvo V70 estate 4WD. It is facing more costly repairs as bushes are wearing. They have a small farm shop and regularly carry or tow small loads of around half a ton and tow a...

How should we store a SORN'd Volkswagen Golf for a year?

Our son and his wife are going to Australia for a year. They have an 2011 petrol Golf Match which they will store in our garage whilst they are away but I will not be able to drive it as they will have...

When will the Renault Clio automatic be available in the UK?

I want to buy a new model Renault Clio with an automatic gearbox. My local Renault dealer can get no information from them about when they will be available in the UK. Please could you try to find out?

Best used MPV/7 seater for £10,000?

I’m searching for a good all round MPV with seven seats. I have £10,000 to spend, but find the many makes and models on offer to be bewildering. I want something with good space, economy, ride comfort...

Dealer won’t replace dangerous cracking tyres on my used car – what can I do?

Last month I bought a 2007 Mercedes-Benz E350 from a Kia dealer. I noticed that it was making a groaning noise from the front, and informed the dealer. They told me to take it to a local garage (we agreed...

Need a medium sized SUV - which is best?

We’re looking to buy a medium sized SUV. It must have space for large dog and a couple of kids. We drive about 14,000 miles a year including a daily work commute totalling 28 miles over half of which is...

BMW 3 Series Touring differential fault

My 2007 BMW 3 Series Touring has been diagnosed as a differential problem. The car has covered 64,000 miles and has a full BMW service history. I’ve been quoted £1400 plus fitting for a new diff, but can’t...

Where can I buy a Renault Clio Estate?

I’ve seen the new Renault Clio Estate and really want to buy one; however, I can’t find one in the UK. I’ve tried asking at my local dealer, but they couldn't help. Do you have any idea when this car will...

How can I improve the ride on my Hyundai i20?

My Hyundai i20 is a good car but the ride on standard Hankook 185/60 R15 tyres is distinctly choppy. I’m in the processing of buying two new tyres, what would you recommend to improve the ride?

Need a cheap car for £1500 - any recommendations?

I need a cheap car to run for £1500. Have you any recommendations?

What are the best tyres for the Suzuki SX4?

I need to replace the tyres on my Suzuki SX4. I currently run Continental 205/60 R16 92H ContiPremiums, should I go for the same or fit all weather tyres?

ESP failure on Volkswagen Golf - should the dealer pay for the repairs?

It would seem that my 2007 Volkswagen Golf has finally succumbed to the infamous ESP light failure. I bought the car 18 months ago from a dealer and it has covered 55,000 miles. Do you know if Volkswagen...

Is the Nissan X-Trail susceptible to timing chain problems?

The timing chain has broken on my Nissan X-Trail. The fault causes the engine to blow, even though it had only done 95,000 miles. I was under the impression that diesels should be good for more than 200,000...

Can I remove the DPF from my car?

I have 2010 Ford Focus and am considering a DPF removal. The system itself hasn't given my any issues, but I am worried about future problems. Is this a good idea, or would it cause more problems than...

Bought a used car that needs lots of work - who should pay?

I bought a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara privately, but after two weeks told by local garage that the car needs a new DPF and cat converter. The seller bought the car from the dealer in May, can I demand that...

Unexplained warning light on Citroen C5 - what does it mean?

I have a strange warning light on my Citroen C5, which looks like a soft verge with a car is leaning on one side. I have looked through the owner’s manual, but cannot seem to find the meaning. Secondly,...

Can you recommend a small car with a flat load space?

I'm looking for a small car with a flat load space and a reasonable ground clearance. Is there anything out there that fits the bill?

Scotchguarding a new car - is it worth it?

I recall comments in the past about Scotchguarding the new cars. My dealer has offered to do the interior and exterior of my new Fiat Abarth 595 for £250. Is it worth the extra cost?

What's causing the front brakes to seize on my Mercedes-Benz CLK ?

The front brakes have suddenly locked on my Mercedes-Benz CLK for no apparent reason. I’ve checked the pads, callipers, brake fluid, linkages and master cylinder, but all are in perfect condition. I’ve...

Engine malfunction message on Ford Focus - what's the fault?

The engine malfunction message has come up on my 2008 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI. There are no warning codes or lamps, so my mechanic has nothing to work with after plugging it in to the diagnostic scanner. Yet...

Heating system making loud noises - could something be stuck inside?

The heater system on my Volkswagen Polo has started to make loud noises. The problem has got gradually worse over and now I can’t hear the radio. It sounds like something is stuck in the motor, is this...

Engine management problem with Golf at 36,000 miles

I purchased a 2009 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSi from an authorised dealership in 2012. The car had just 19,000 miles on the clock and was serviced regularly by them. Two weeks ago (at 36,000 miles) the engine...

Volkswagen Golf won't start - what's the fault?

I'm having problems with my 2004 Volkswagen Golf. It starts fine from cold, but refuses to fire up when warm. I’ve checked the starter motor and glow plugs, but no joy. I thinking of doing a hot start...

Should I convert my Saab 9-5 to LPG?

Is LPG conversion a worthwhile venture? I have just been given a 2003 Saab 9-5 and want to improve its fuel consumption.

Why is my Mercedes-Benz using so much oil?

Can you tell me why my Mercedes-Benz is using so much oil? It’s a 2007 C-Class automatic with 39,000 miles on the clock, but it is now consuming 2.5 litres per 5000 miles. Do I have a problem?

Do I need to declare an accident if I was the only one involved?

I was driving my car recently and crashed into a traffic island. No one was injured and my car was the only vehicle to receive any damage. Am I required by law to report this to my insurance company? I’m...

Buying a used Jaguar XF - which engine is best?

I have just started a new business and need a large, automatic, diesel car that will eat the miles, return good fuel economy and also make a good impression with clients. I am interested in a Jaguar...

Clutch failure after 900 miles/14 days

The clutch of my Seat Ibiza was replaced by a well-known 'specialist' clutch replacement company. The original clutch had lasted for 85,000 miles. The thrust bearing of the first replacement clutch failed...