Does it harm our car engines to run them for a few seconds when moving the cars on the drive?

We change cars around in our drive. This takes seconds rather than minutes. According to a recent article this is doing the petrol engines no good at all. This practice has to continue, but is there anything...

Should I buy a used Skoda Superb diesel?

I am looking for a used Skoda Superb estate as our family car as I am 6-feet 3-inches and my teenage sons are 6-feet 5-inches and 6-feet 1-inch (and growing). We also have two Labradors to transport. The...

Why aren't there more recommendations for petrol-driven cars?

I often read the so-called ‘Best Buys’ in magazines like ‘What Car’ but more often than not the recommendation is for a diesel. I shall drive no more than 8000 miles a year and, given your advice about...

Should we buy a diesel for shorter journeys?

We will be replacing our 2004 Focus 1.8 diesel shortly. The new car will start off as my husband’s car so needs to fit a set of golf clubs and an electric trolley in the boot. He works part-time, his journeys...

Which stylish, low tax car do you recommend for short trips?

I am hoping to buy a new car. The main uses will be daily short journeys and occasional long distant drives for holidays. Could you advise on any stylish, low tax cars that are manual, petrol and 5-door?...

Which car do you recommend for use on a small island?

I love my 2002 Honda Jazz, which has been perfect for island life, accommodating four people and a cello. However, we are looking to replace it with a more robust diesel touring car (the cello won't be...

Could I buy a diesel Freelander 2 for short journeys?

I thought diesels were good for short runs. Is that not so? My daily commute is five miles each way. I ask because I am tempted by a Freelander 2. There’s one at a local reputable non-Land Rover dealer:...

Which family car to replace a MINI One?

I would appreciate your help. I am recently married and expecting my first child. I drive a company car, which is 2012 Nissan Qashqai 1.6DCI 130. My wife currently drives a 2004 MINI One and when the baby...

Why don't children walk to school instead of being driven by their parents?

In a recent column there was the popular question: “Please recommend a car for the school run". Whilst I accept that some of your readers live in rural areas, many don’t. Therefore, might I suggest that...

Should I buy a new Avensis or the Mazda 6 Tourer?

The time has come for me to think about changing my present vehicle, a 2009 Toyota Avensis D-4D 2.2 Tourer. Although the Avensis has had a fairly recent facelift I can’t help wondering how long it will...