Toyota Corolla Problems

It's part of the interior design and the dealer will not change it. If you're really unhappy, get an automotive painter to hit it with something non-reflective.

Toyota spokesman Stephen Coughlan says: “There is no plan at the moment (to bring back a Corolla wagon). There is a two-wheel drive RAV4 and Rukus as substitutes.” So that’s a no from Toyota.

Look at a Hyundai i30 wagon, which gets The Tick and is the closest thing now to your Corolla wagon.

The two new arrivals this year, the Mazda2 and Jazz, both get The Tick from me. The Jazz is better value in the basic car and the Mazda rival has a more substantial feel. Go for the Honda.

From your shortlist, the Mazda3 is the best and gets The Tick from me.

With that budget you'll be buying second-hand in that class, and that makes the Hyundai i30 the best choice with plenty of warranty still to run. We do not recommend the Golf after the factory warranty. A turbodiesel gets better economy but you need to drive 30,000 kilometres a year for the total cost to beat a petrol car.

The Mazda2 gets The Tick and is best on your list, but don't ignore the Honda Jazz which had a higher score in Car of the Year judging.

People have always bought Alfas with their hearts and they are behind the Japanese on reliability and resale. There is an updated Giulietta coming next year, which I recently drove in Italy and enjoyed. Try it.

First you need to know the total weight of the trailer when it's loaded with everything you want to take with you when you go camping. It could easily sneak up to close to the Corolla's limit of 950 kg. You have to think of safety when towing, and it doesn't matter that you will only tow short distances or do it twice per year. I would tend to go for the Camry, it has a higher towing rating, it is a heavier vehicle and therefore more stable, and I think safer for your needs.

It's more than likely just bad luck that you copped a dodgy pump. There could be any number of reasons for it to fail, it's not a major issue, I would just cop it on the chin and get on with life.