Mike Brewer joins us to discuss whether or not your car is really your status symbol and what the daring British public actually get up to in their cars.

Black Pea wants to know:

Which cars in your opinion have the most pulling power and why?

Mike Brewer said:

Teletext conducted a survey and the results were, what we would expect. Cars like Porsche 911, Aston Martin and Jaguar all have pulling power.

Ralph Malph wants to know:

Does a car with pulling power need to be expensive?

Mike said:

Not necessarily you can go for a quaint classic like an MG or an E-type.

Mike wants to know:

Does my car have pulling power - it's a Vauxhall Vectra SRi

Mike said:

According to the survey, not really. Maybe you should trade it in for something with a bit more oomph, like a three series cab, which at the moment are going cheap. Good Luck! You may need it.

Rothers wants to know:

Mike, do you think our cars still represent a status symbol?

Mike said:

Yes, a car says a lot about the person driving it. It's almost an extension of your personality. You're more likely to have a stately car if you are a judge than say a market trader.

Mike said:

I get given cars to test each week. So I am lucky. The only thing I own that you put petrol in is my trusted Lambretta.

Natalie wants to know:

Does it matter if you have a new or second-hand car?

Mike said:

Not at all. You can go and spend the average £12,000 on a new car. But, you can get a much better second hand car for the same money with a lot more pulling power that will make you more attractive to the opposite sex.

Danny75 wants to know:

What are your top five tips for buying a used car?

Mike said:

Always get a data check done by a company like the AA or HPI. Always take a mechanic with you. Never buy a car in the wet. Never buy a car at night. And haggle hard!

Caroline wants to know:

I'd like to buy a 2nd hand car as its cheaper than new but I'm scared of being ripped off with no warranties, especially as I have no understanding of cars and engines - what do you suggest?"

Mike said:

Like the previous answer. Get a mechanical check done on the car and you can always buy a third party warranty that should see you through. Good Luck!

Alan Woodeson wants to know:

When will Deals on Wheels be back on TV?

Mike said:

Deals on Wheels won't be back on TV but, Wheeler Dealers on Discovery real time is almost the same show and it starts on August 23rd. I hope you like it!

Rusty wants to know:

How did you get into cars Mike?

Mike said:

My dad was car customiser. I spent my youth holding spanners whilst he tinkered with classic hot rods. Enough to make anyone a petrol head.

Mike said:

Both! If you can put petrol in it and it starts, stops and goes. I love them!

Tony George wants to know:

You repair and sell classic cars, have you ever not been able to part with one?

Mike said:

No, everything sells in the end because everything has a price. If you oversell something at the wrong price, all you need to do is reduce it to a level it will sell at. Sometimes you could lose out but at least it will get sold.

Jiminy wants to know:

With thirty-eight years experience in the car world you must have seen some pretty shonky deals, can you tell us about the worst and the best deals you have ever done?

Mike said:

The worst deal I ever did was a Landrover Discovery V8. I lost £4,000 on it. The best deal was on a BMW three series convertible, which I got a profit of £4,000. So, I never lost in the end!

Greggsy wants to know:

Where do you find the best place to buy bargain cars? Ever found a classic left in an old barn somewhere?

Mike said:

The best place to find a bargain car is a new service called Teletext Cars. Channel 4, page 700. And as for the classic, I found an old Beetle in a barn for £200, which I turned into a beach buggy and sold it for £4,500. Not bad!

Alan Woodeson wants to know:

Are scrap yards a good source for used cars?

Mike said:

No. The clue is in the word scrap, that's why the cars are cheap there. Try to avoid them. Only buy a car from a reputable source. Good Luck!

Oliver Alber wants to know:

Do you think we place more emphasis on style rather than power when it comes to choosing a car?

Mike said:

Yes. Style is important. It's an extension of your own personality. But usually, style and performance go hand in hand. So finding a stylish powerful car is not rocket science.

Gavin Jones wants to know:

If you had £6,000 - £8,000 a wife, 3 kids and a dog what would you buy?

Mike said:

A hot air balloon out of there!! No seriously, a Vauxhall Zafira has been voted the best family car for the last four years. Not very stylish, but who cares, it will keep the family happy and you away from balloons. Good Luck!

Trish from Herts wants to know:

What is your favourite car and why? You can only pick ONE! x

Mike said:

Aston Martin V8 vantage. I have one coming in September.

Brian L wants to know:

Which car has brought you the most "success"?

Mike said:

The car I met my wife in. At the time, I was driving around in a Mercedes 190 Cosworth. I still hanker after them today. Only to put a smile on my wife's face.

Suzzie wants to know:

Mike, what do you think about the survey results?

Mike said:

Very interesting. Not so much in the desirable cars but more so in the less desirable cars. Like, the chav mobiles which the survey says that at least 40% of the population hates.

Simone wants to know:

Was there a north/south difference from the women who answered the survey?

Mike said:

Yes, women up north are more likely to accept a less desirable car. But down south it has to at least be a Porsche an Aston Martin or a Jaguar.

Fifi Bell wants to know:

What do you think the survey says about the reserved British public? Maybe not so reserved!!

Mike said:

The Teletext survey revealed that at least 30% of us are likely to have it off in a layby. Not very reserved. So if you think people have broken down on the side of the road, think again - they could be up to no good!

Cara Lam wants to know:

Women are becoming increasingly interested in cars, how has the car market adapted to suit this need?

Mike said:

Lots of carmakers have now got women on the design teams. In fact did you know, the Ford KA was designed by women, for women and the new Aston Martin V8 that I'm buying, the interior was designed by a woman. So, women have a heavy influence on what men drive.

Don Fergus wants to know:

How have our car tastes changed over the last ten years?

Mike said:

Dare I say we have become snobbier! We all look at what our neighbours are driving and feel we should go one better. Cars are cheaper now than ever with more extras. So we are spoilt for choice - which is obviously changed our taste.

Lee wants to know:

I've just been given a XR 2i and I just wanted to know where do I start with the modding on this beast?

Mike said:

Wheels are the window dressing for any modding. Get the wheels right and the rest of the car will follow.

Augustus wants to know:

Would my pulling prowess improve if I modified my car?

Mike said:

According to the Teletext survey, modded cars are not desirable. Most women would steer clear of a car that's got too many bits bolted to it. The survey says you're better off spending your money on a sports car to make you more desirable to the opposite sex.

Liam O'C wants to know:

What is going to be the next biggest craze in the motoring world?

Mike said:

It's got to be hybrid technology and fuel cell. Not very sexy but, at some point in the future we'll all have to adapt. In the meantime, the next thing that we'll all get believe it or not is autopilot. Mercedes and Toyota have developed a system that's currently working. Only a few years away and it will be standard on new cars.

Al Thomas wants to know:

Do you still trade cars?

Mike said:

No, I am far too busy showing you lot how to do it on TV.

George wants to know:

What did you love about being a used car sales man?

Mike said:

The thrill of making somebody happy with the car that they truly wanted. But also knowing that I've got a profit in my pocket. Nothing wrong with that!

Alan T wants to know:

What's the best fleece you've done on a punter when buying from or selling a car to?

Mike said:

I will admit, that I once bought a three series cab from a man standing at Heathrow Airport as he was just about to immigrate and bought the car for £4,000 below book value. I don't feel guilty about it because it paid for a good holiday! Tee hee!

Layla from Herts wants to know:

I'm looking for a good used car. Which makes are the best to run and look after?

Mike said:

On every street corner you'll find a Ford dealer. So why not start your look there. It's no good going for something like a Proton because do you know any Proton dealers. I don't!

Wayne wants to know:

Why do some cars give drivers sex appeal?

Mike said:

Certain cars have sex appeal and not necessarily the driver. Is it the car that makes the driver sexy or the fact that he has spent a lot of money on it that makes him sexy? You decide.

AsifB4 wants to know:

How did it feel to be presenting your own show on ITV?

Mike said:

About bloomin time and it was worth the wait because last year I won an RTS award for best presenter on TV - thanks to that show.

Miller wants to know:

Do you think cars will ever reach market saturation point, ie. We will have had enough of them one day?

Mike said:

No, we'll always want newer and more sportier, more desirable cars and let's face it even as well built as they are these days, they don't last forever and eventually they need replacing.

A Moderator said:

Danny75 wants to know: "And your top five tips for spotting a dodgy deal?"

Mike said:

1.When you are phoning up about a car - ask them about the car they are selling - if they say "what car?" They are likely to be selling more than one therefore they may be a dealer.

2. Never buy a car that has only been advertised with a mobile number.

3. Always make sure you go to their house or the place that it's registered on the log book to prove that it's theirs.

4. You MUST conduct a data check, it's really the first thing you should do. Don't be fobbed off!

5. Look at the person you are buying the car from and their surroundings as well as the car. That should give you a clearer idea if it's dodgy. You will notice the alarm bells ringing.

Good Luck

Comski wants to know:

Which cars are considered a total turn-off?

Mike said:

Chav mobiles, people carriers, big 4x4's and city cars.

Nickel wants to know:

Do you think some cars are better at attracting the kind of girls who are up for some fun on the back seats? If so what ones and where do I get one?!?

Mike Brewer said:

Obviously, some cars are going to be better than others. A sporty convertibke is more attractive at getting the ladies than a Fiesta. The best place to get one is to simply click on page 700 of Teletext on Channel 4 and you'll find thousands of cars that you'll be able to pull in. When you find one that you have had success with, can you let me know? Good Luck!!