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Tips and advice

Car problems: your questions answered

Buying, owning and selling cars should be painless. When it isn't, we step in. Read our most recent cases here.

Car ownership should be painless and enjoyable, but occasionally things go wrong. Most of those faults are rectified without too much trouble, but sometimes they're not.

Every week, we take on a reader's case, helping them to solve their car buying problems or car ownership frustrations.

Read on for our most recent cases, so keep checking back to see if there's anything that affects you.

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If you'd like our assistance with a problem, you can get in touch with us via Twitter or Facebook or contact our consumer desk via email or on 0207 907 6217.

or speak to a range of industry bodies listed at the bottom of this page.

Latest story: Ford Focus RS sat-nav waits 'a year' for update

Audi

Audi typing error in V5C delayed sale by months

Reader left fuming over sub-standard Kwik Fit A4 repairs

Maintenance row after leak blows Audi TT's stereo

Audi pays up following warranty row over rust

Late Audi S4 service wrecks warranty

Two-day-old Audi A1 in brake fault shock

Should you switch your dash cam off at a dealer?

Audi comes good on old Audi A6 misfuelling issue

Reader shocked by £2k bill for replacement Audi A3

Mystery squeaks and rattles hit £30,000 TT

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VW Golf £1,145 adaptive cruise glitch fixed for just £46

VW Tiguan owner left frustrated by 'unclear' servicing plan

Dealer can't explain how Volkswagen Amarok drove itself

Volvo

Volvo steps in to help owner reject XC90

Breakdown Cover

RAC 'repair' causes over £1,200 of new damage

Finance

'First of many' dealers facing finance fraud KO

Hire cars

£105 hire car bill after out-of-hours damage

Insurance

Persistence pays off for hit and run victim

Useful contacts

The following could provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m).

Legal

AA: 0906 010 1300 (p)

RAC: 0870 5533 533 (m)

Which?: 01992 822 800

Consumer Direct: 0845 404 0506

Local Trading Standards

Local Citizens Advice Bureau

Used car inspections

AA: 0800 085 3007

RAC: 0800 085 2529

Technical advice

AA: 0870 606 1619 (m)

Driving licences

DVLA: 0300 790 6801

Car registration/history

HPI: 01722 422 422

AA: 0800 316 3564

DVLA: 0300 790 6802

RAC: 0800 975 5867

Problems with dealers

Motor Codes: 0800 692 0825

Consumer Ombudsman

Retail Motor Industry Federation: 0845 839 9205 (m)

Scottish Motor Trade Association: 0131 331 5510

Problems with car manufacturers

Motor Codes: 0800 692 0825

Financial problems

Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567

Safety concerns/recalls

DVSA: 0300 123 9000

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