What are swirl flaps and can they cause problems on my BMW?

A friend has sent me an article suggesting that ‘swirl flaps’ can fail on post-2003 BMW 530d models and cause serious damage. What are swirl flaps? Does this apply to my 2010 F10 model and, if so, should...

Why has Volkswagen acted so insensitively over a transmission failure in our Golf Estate?

I have just come across some emails concerning problems with DSG transmissions. We have a Volkswagen Golf Estate 2.0TDi DSG. It is just over three years old and therefore out of warranty, in spite of doing...

Why won't Skoda offer this software and shim adjustment for Roomster drivers with DSG problems?

I was interested in the letter from MG re problems with his Skoda with 1.2TSI and DSG box. Having bought a Roomster in December 2010 with the same engine and gearbox, I can understand his problem with...

I want to buy a discounted new car - is this legal and safe?

I am thinking of ordering a new Yeti S 1.2 DSG from an online car trader as the list price is discounted by 13 per cent. They told me that they hold the V5 for up to six weeks before its release and that...

The satnav in my BMW X3 doesn't accept seven digit postcodes - why?

I took delivery of a new BMW X3 in September 2011. I specified the wide screen satnav package at around £2500 and, as I had experience of using portable TomTom satnavs (with great satisfaction) for nearly...

Why is Gap Insurance so expensive?

I have just purchased an Audi A4 Allroad and was pressurised into considering Gap Insurance. Thanks to your warnings, I declined. The exact same product, for which the dealer wanted £550, was just £139...

Should I return my new car having found out that it's ex-rental?

I brought my nearly new June 2011 Audi A4 TDI Multitronic home last night, only to find on checking the logbook that the one previous owner had been Hertz. I had specifically said to the Audi dealer that...

Is this deal on a new Toyota RAV-4 too good to be true?

I'm about to purchase a new Toyota RAV4. The local dealer is quoting £25,245 for a cash sale whereas an online company (www.broadspeed.com) has quoted me £22,781 for exactly the same specification car,...

At Welcome Break we take road safety seriously, in terms of the 2-hour maximum free stay at our motorway services.

In reference to the letter on14 April regarding a parking fine complaint from JS of Tamworth, when he visited the Oxford Welcome Break service area on the M40, we would appreciate the opportunity to respond....

Should Volkswagen sort out our windscreen wiper fault?

Recently my sister was driving her nearly-new Volkswagen Passat on a motorway and was terrified when the wipers failed. It has automatic wipers. It was repaired for £300 but has now failed again and, when...