What is causing clutch vibration in my MkVI Golf?

My experience since purchasing a new Mark VI Golf on my retirement last October has not been good. I wrote to Volkswagen about a vibrating clutch pedal issue that my local dealer had told me was normal...

Why do you not support the independent garage sector?

As an independent garage owner, I take issue with your warranties and servicing comments. To say “fiddle around and mess it up” implies the independent sector is made up of a breed of inferior technicians,...

Should my daughter buy this used C-Max which has an HPI discrepancy?

I am trying to buy a car for my daughter (Ford Focus C-Max 2004 2.0-litre TDCI, 88,500miles at £2800) from a private seller who says that he works for a garage. He said that the Focus came in as a part-exchange...

Why don't drivers have their cars serviced at independent workshops instead of franchised dealers?

I read with interest your replies to AB and JD about the advisability of franchised dealer servicing in order to keep a new car warranty valid. Over the years I have experienced the efforts of both franchised...

Why won't my dealer help with a pre-existing fault on my Ford Focus?

At the end of March I purchased a 2005 Ford Focus 2.0TDCI with 89,000 miles from a small independent dealer in South Croydon, with a oil change thrown in for good measure. Four days later I noticed that...

Extended warranties and dealer servicing - what's the law?

Volkswagen Approved Warranty (via Mondial Assistance(UK)) have informed me both during recent telecons and via email that the extended warranty they are offering to renew for my vehicle (first taken out...

Latest DPFs - fewer problems?

I was helping my father look at a new Fiat Doblo with a 1.6 Diesel engine. I mentioned to the dealer that the car would be used mainly for shorter journeys, say a few miles at a time. I said I had read...

Should I continue to have my Mercedes-Benz C180 serviced at the main dealer or go independent?

I have now nearly reached the three-year point on a Mercedes-Benz C180 that I bought from a main dealer at six months old with a three-year warranty and two free services. These have now been had and I...

Bought an Aston Martin Vantage with leaking shock absorbers - should the dealer repair these?

I have just bought a 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster from a dealer who trades from his house. I wasn't able to have the car professionally inspected, which was probably a mistake, but have now had...

Why don't car dealers give a full year's warranty?

I looked at a Ford Kuga, 4x4, manual box, diesel engine, 2009 model and quite a nice car. The dealer, a main Ford agent, was asking £16,999 with only a three months warranty. The car had done 33,000 miles...