Something in particulate

Just recently (in this cold weather) I have had great difficulty starting my Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI. When it eventually has started a cloud of back particulates belches out of the exhaust. I have normally...

Octaplussy?

I purchased a Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI DSG in October 09. Performance is surprisingly good for such a small engine and economy 39-40 mpg. What bothers me is that, after the car has been left out in the rain,...

Tax banned

I am starting to wonder where the logic is in the current car tax band system. My understanding of the government's stance on this is to get older, heavier polluting vehicles off the road. If this is the...

Taxi breaks

The warranty is about to run out on my 2007/57 Octavia, which has been a taxi since new. So far the DMF has been replaced under warranty once at 30,000mls and more recently at 55,000 miles. My current...

Crusher, or Russia?

I bought a brand new Skoda Octavia Elegance Estate costing £15,665 after a total Scrappage/Dealer/Manufacturer allowance of £3,500. This will bring a gleam into the eyes of the Dealer, the Manufacturer,...

Back door

I have a Peugeot 206 SW that offers wide, low loading access. Please can you suggest a similar vehicle that has a similar good rear access?

Greenhouse crass?

In their short-term efforts to stop the planet warming, more and more manufacturers are introducing small capacity pressurised petrol engines. Renault, VW Group and the new Astra all offer turbos of 1.2...

Brake chancing

We saw and test-drove a VW Touran just under 3 weeks ago. There was a light on the dashboard, which I thought was the traction control light, and the ESP light near the gearstick was also on. The dealer...

Wealth and efficiency

I bought my Ford Focus Ghia in January 2001, a size of car that would enable me to take my sick husband out and about. Fords had always been popular with us and this certainly proved its worth and, serviced...

Stilo’s wheels

I am looking to replace my Fiat Stilo Estate with a Skoda Octavia Estate and considering one with the 1.6 diesel engine with DPF (Particulate Filter) especially given low road tax. I note your recent articles...