I BOUGHT a car a month ago.

The left rear indicator was not operating. I spoke to the salesman then and he assured me it would be fixed.

While driving soon after another problem arose. I phoned the next day and they asked me to bring the car in. I got advice from a mechanic I know and he told me that there was an engine leak problem and that is why a light kept coming on.

I asked the dealer to fix it for me when doing the other repair. When I took the car in he said I would need to pay for parts and labour.

UNLESS the fault was either pointed out to you, or obvious at a glance before you bought the car, it is a latent defect (or defects).

Thus even if the car is second hand, and even if you declined to buy an additional warranty, you are entitled to a repair free.

Demand to speak to the dealership owner. If no joy, speak to trading standards.

MY partner and I have joint accounts. If one dies, does half the account go into the estate of that deceased to be divided between the surviving partner and children?

I understand that children are entitled to a third of the estate no matter what you put in a will.

THERE are two questions here. Firstly, if accounts are genuinely shared, and not just in joint names for convenience while really belonging to one of you, half of each is part of the deceased's estate.

And yes, children have legal rights to a third of the moveable estate (i.e. money and assets but not the house) but if left something in a will they have to choose between the bequest and their legal entitlement, they can't have both.

MY aunt promised me an antique piece of china to be given after she died.

She told me she had put this in her will, but the only will produced doesn't mention it. How can I find out if there is another will?

THERE is no central register of wills, so you would need to check with lawyers local to your aunt, and perhaps put an advert in a newspaper such as the Evening Times, and in the Law Society of Scotland Journal asking for anyone to come forward.

Sadly your relative may have changed her mind or just not got round to doing anything about her promise. It is unenforceable as it was verbal only.

I CRASHED while driving my car. I maintain it was the fault of another vehicle I was overtaking as he swerved out and made me move over to the right and I scraped a van coming in the opposite direction. My insurance company does not support me and is paying the other guy out. Can I contest this?

YOUR insurance company has the right to deal with any claim as it sees fit. If you won't pay the excess, then you can be sued for it.

Fine if you win, but if you lose (bearing in mind you were the one carrying out the risky manoeuvre of overtaking) you will lose out in considerable legal costs.