My Peugeot's service bill is huge - is this reasonable?

I took my 2005 Peugeot 307 HDI XI to the Peugeot main garage this morning for a service and MoT. It has covered just 39,000 miles and was serviced by a local garage for the last two years. I have just...

Which MPV to replace my RAV4?

I have a two-door Toyota RAV4 which is now ten years old. I now wish to replace it with a compact four-door crossover. What would you suggest, bearing in mind that I prefer the high seating position?

Gearbox failure - should I accept partial repair costs?

I have a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 DSG which is three years old and has covered 32,000 miles since new. The gearbox has failed and needs to be replaced, and Volkswagen has quoted £4,300. They and the...

Why are there so many cars on the road with faulty lights?

This winter I've noticed more and more cars with faulty lights. Obviously they have not been MOT tested recently, so is it reasonable to assume that they are not taxed or insured either? To me the scariest...

Is the new MOT certificate really just a sheet of A4 paper?

I've just picked up a new MOT 'certificate' from my local friendly garage. When he thrust a piece of white A4 paper into my hand I thought he was having a joke. It resembled more a receipt from an online...

Hyundai ix20, KIA Venga or Vauxhall Meriva?

My wife is looking for a car with easy access, a high driving position, plenty of room for grandchildren and plenty of convertible space, as well as a bit of refinement and 'oomph'. We have narrowed things...

Bought a car with very worn tyres - should the dealer replace them?

I bought a 2010 Polo from a local Volkswagen dealer but had to take it back to them three months later, as the car was pulling significantly to the left. They remedied the fault but at the same time informed...

Warranty repair has failed, so is the second repair at my expense?

My Skoda Octavia vRS heater was repaired under warranty in May 2011, and the manufacturer's warranty later expired on 3 November 2011. Exactly the same fault has now occurred again, where the heater blows...

Does the Highway Code include advice for driving on motorways in thick fog?

As a result of seeing the horrendous pictures of the crash on the M5 at Taunton, I have read through the section of The Highway Code relating to motorways. In the back of my mind, I have either heard or...

How should I proceed with regards to traffic damaging my house due to the location of speed humps?

I have read your comments regarding speed humps and would like some advice. I live in a semi in the Midlands. There are two sets of semis next to each other. We are situated on a hill. If I look out of...

I don't want speed cushions outside my house - what can I do?

Our local council is proposing installing speed cushions on the estate were we live, with one planned right outside our house. What is the best way to stop this waste of money?

I am taking a debt collection agency to court over an unpaid parking ticket

I have corresponded on a previous occasion to you regarding a ticket issued on December 21 2010 and you advised me accordingly. Just for your information I thought you may be interested in the current...

Should front springs be replaced in pairs?

Earlier this year my Vauxhall Vectra Estate was found to have a broken front road spring. My local main agent advised me that it was customary for both engineering and safety reasons to replace the springs...

Can I upgrade my FM car stereo to a DAB unit?

I would like to upgrade my 2001 Citroen Berlingo's FM radio to an FM/DAB unit. Is this possible and what would it cost?

Why are my Skoda's electric windows opening themselves?

I took delivery of a Skoda Superb Elegance earlier this year. Three mornings ago I found that all the windows had been lowered overnight, leaving the interior open to the elements. Have you had any reports...

Where can my twins learn to drive cheaply?

I am a widow with 17-year-old twins who are keen to learn to drive. I do not want them to drive my 2006 Honda Civic and I do not have the patience or time to sit with them as they learn. How do you suggest...

What constitutes 'fair use' in the context of the Halfords Brakes4life offer?

Looking at the terms and conditions of the Halfords Brakes4life offer, readers should note two in particular: The lifetime replacement is covered by a fair-use policy and may be withdrawn if there is regular,...

Why does the RAC try to increase its insurance premiums upon renewal?

Regarding the email from PC of Lee, I received my RAC Insurance Renewal and the premium had gone up by £150 (with no claims in previous year except a small windscreen repair). I got onto their website...

Which sports coupe to replace a Celica?

My aunt, an advanced motorist in her sixties, is looking to replace her much-loved 42,000 mile, 2005 Toyota Celica 1.8. Her requirements are a front wheel drive coupe with a bit of performance and novel,...

I need a cheap, reliable car to cover a big mileage - what do you recommend?

I am due to start a new job in Lincolnshire which involves covering 30,000 miles a year, 200 miles a day. Which car would you recommend as the cheapest option? I can't afford a new car and, given the high...

I concluded a parking charge by sending a partial payment in final settlement.

I received a parking ticket from a private operator when parking at my local college. I thought it was a student prank and threw it away. A few weeks later I got a demand for £80 as I had not paid the...

What's causing this engine fault on a 2002 Land Rover Freelander?

Any ideas please? I have a 2002 Freelander TD4 with an intermittent fuel failure. It was travelling happily then suffered a loss of power with an eventual standstill. It will start again after about one...

Thanks for recommending the Toyota Verso S.

On your advice we bought a Toyota Verso S. We are delighted. Well designed, well built and a joy to drive. Thank you.

Can you do a feature with information specifically for younger drivers?

As many of your readers will be grand/parents of teenage drivers, would it be worth doing a feature on: tips for teenage drivers, how to find/what to look out for in a good teacher, costs/procedures involved...

Have I bought a lemon?

Having been impressed by my husband's i20 I test drove (twice) a used Hyundai ix20 1.4 CDTi Style on 15 October 2012 as I was looking for a suitable replacement for an 8 year old Vauxhall Meriva. After...

Looking for a small car - what are your thoughts?

I'm looking for a new or nearly new small car due to size of garage and that I live on the seafront. I only do four miles a day and maybe 20 once a month at the weekend. I have a Fiat Punto but a new one...

Winter tyres - why can't I get them for my Lexus?

I run a 54 reg RX300 and have been having problems trying to get winter tyres. My current tyres are 225/60 R17 and I have asked local garages and specialists for steel wheels and winter tyres but they...

French speeding ticket - this seems expensive

I Have received a speeding fine from France for 93 Euros for doing 58km/hr in a 50km/hr zone. Can I argue about the amount, seems very high and it has taken six weeks to get the ticket.

Broken LED running light on an Audi and no one can help. Any advice?

I own an Audi A5 2007 with front eyelash style daytime running LED units, seven or eight LEDs within each unit. One single LED within the offside passenger unit of seven or eight has gone. Halfords don't...

What automatic transmission congestion-charge free cars are there?

A 79 year-old relative wishes to buy a congestion-charge free car BUT it must have automatic transmission. I have spent some time looking in to this and so far have only really come up with the Toyota...

Here's how to easily remove suncream stains

In the paper on Saturday you had a question about suncream removal. With 3 young children I've had a lot of experience with this. At first I tried hot soapy water, T Cut, clay bars - nothing would touch...

Effect on resale value of a car being know to have been 'clocked'

I bought a VW Golf five months ago with 80,000 miles on the clock. I checked the MOT history out of curiosity (I only just found out you can do this) and found that it got up to 140,000 miles on last...

Buying a car for mini cab private hire

I would appreciate if you could advise me of which car to buy. I will be buying a new car in few days and it will be used as a mini cab (private hire vehicle). I want to buy an automatic but not sure of...