Can I stop my car pumping out blue smoke?

I've had a diesel 2011 Volkswagen Passat for four years. Around every 50- 60 miles, it will put out blue smoke - which I've been told is because it's doing a regeneration. But for the first 2 years I had...

Does rapid charging damage electric vehicles?

Does the rapid charging of electric cars have any significant detrimental effects, i.e. shortening the battery's life?

I want an electric car to replace two diesel cars. What do you suggest?

I drive a 2011 Ford Galaxy auto, mostly for transporting grandkids to school and long motorway journeys. I have a 2007 Fiat Panda for local runs around town. I get 44mpg and 60mpg respectively, both diesel...

How often should I use the aircon in my car?

How often should I use the aircon in my car? I read blogs and they say it should be used all time. I have a 2016 Vauxhall Astra.

Can you recommend some all-weather tyres?

I have 2018 Volvo XC60, which was fitted with Michelin Latitude Sport 3, 235/55 R19. They will soon be coming up for replacement. What do you recommend? In the past, on a V70 and my previous XC60, I had...

Can you suggest a reliable family car replacement for our 15 year old Honda Jazz?

We're looking to replace a 15 year old Honda Jazz - which we bought on your recommendation and it has been perfect for us. But, sadly, it will need a lot of money spent on it to pass this year’s MOT. ...

Can you recommend a hybrid crossover that could carry a wheelchair in the boot?

I'm looking to replace my current car. I find the boot space in my Renault Captur unsuitable for carrying a wheelchair, folded flat. I know that a Peugeot 2008 has a boot that can carry this type of wheelchair....

What's the best family car under £8000?

What's the best family car up to £8000 and under 100,000 miles?

Is it true that aircon is supposed to be running full time?

You say that the aircon in Skoda cars should be running all the time. Surely not. Is this peculiar to Skoda? Thank you.

Can Eurotunnel trains cope with additional weight of battery cars?

By 2030, the Eurotunnel trains need to plan for all battery cars. I ask the following assuming that there is a full load of battery cars and the additional weight that entails. Can the Eurotunnel structure...

Can I legally manufacture some unobtainable spare parts for my classic?

My question is relevant to an old Honda classic motorcycle i have (1960's), which is missing a few parts that are now unobtainable from Honda. Could I make or source one or two pattern parts to fit my...

How much is a 1977 Toyota Celica liftback worth?

Is £8000 stupid money for an original 'mustang-style' 1977 Toyota Celica lifback requiring full restoration?

What electric vehicle retrofit companies exist?

My search for companies modifying cars for electric motors has only turned up two. What companies are out there? Thanks.

Is the new Toyota Camry selling well?

Could you please tell me if the new Toyota Camry is selling well in the UK? I know they have only bought a limited number into the UK, but I haven’t actually seen one on the open road. I have had a test...

If a petrol car will be worth nothing in 2030, should I ask for a 50% discount now?

I want to buy a new petrol car. Why would I if it is going to be worth zero in 2030? Should I ask for a 50% discount?

My windscreen takes a long time to demist, is that normal?

I have a newish Skoda Karoq Scout. Recently, I returned to my car after an evening out and my car was so misted up, the windscreen took 15 minutes to clear. I booked the car into a Skoda garage to check...

Can I take my car from tier 3 to tier 2 in order to get it repaired?

I'm in tier 3. Can I take my motor into a garage in tier 2 for repair?

Can I sell my car and buy it back to avoid the high road tax?

Can I sell my car then buy it back to avoid the five years of high road tax? It's an extra £350 a year road tax for a car over £40,000.

What large, petrol models would you suggest for a young family with children?

A relative of mine is interested in buying a 2012 Volkswagen Passat Bluemotion 2.0 TDI DSG with 69,000 miles for under £5000. What other large, petrol, automatic models would you suggest for a young family...

Why is there an anti-pollution warning light on my car?

I have a Peugeot 206 CC 2.0-litre Sport. I left it in gear when I got out of the car. When I started it again I forgot it was still in gear. Later, the engine management light came on and anti-pollution...

My Volkswagen Passat 1.5-litre Evo TSI judders when it goes under 20mph. Can this be fixed?

I have a 2019 Volkswagen Passat Estate 1.5-litre Evo TSI, which often judders when it goes under 20mph. The diagnostic does not fix it and Volkswagen says its a characteristic of the vehicle. Do you know...

Should I only charge my electric car to 80% to prevent battery degredation?

I recently read that the best practice for good EV battery health is only to charge to 80%. I'd be grateful for a bit more advice on this, please. Is it best to limit a charge to 80% when rapid charging,...

Buying a used car - is four previous owners too many?

When buying from a dealer, should I be put off if the car has had lots of previous owners? I've found a nice Lexus CT 200h with 63k miles on the clock, but the history shows four previous keepers. How...

Sold a car privately with a dubious MOT - where do I stand?

I bought a classic 1990s car from a dealer for £1000 back in January. It was MOT'd in September this year and went straight through, but with an advisory for some minor rust underneath. I sold the car...

What midsize, petrol SUV should I buy?

I'm in quandary and require your help! I have a 2009 Lexus GS450h - which I love - but I want an update because the boot is ridiculously small. I feel the need for an SUV as I have had 4x4 in the past...

How long to brake discs last?

How long would you expect brake discs on any modern car to last before replacement?

Will using T-Cut help prevent rust?

The at-fault third party who damaged my car has agreed to pay for the repairs privately, no insurance company involved. The local repairer can't do the work until the end of January. Should I T-Cut what...

Why is my Volkswagen Caddy diesel van losing power?

My 2015 Volkswagen Caddy 1.6-litre TDI is losing power. It starts fine and ticks over. Can you tell me what the problem may be?

What's the best used, small hatchback for low mileage use?

We are both recently retired and found that having just one car (the brilliant Volvo XC40 T3) is proving inconvenient, so we want a small used car for running around and short trips. Current thoughts are...

I slightly damaged a car and offered to pay for repairs. How long does the driver have to take my offer up?

My vehicle was parked but the handbrake wasn't on properly. It rolled back into a parked car causing a very minor damage. You could see where it had bumped and bent it, which grazed the paint on the bumper...

Does headlights restoration work?

Does headlight restoration work and how long does it last for? My car is 15+ years old and I don't want to replace the headlights. What do you advise?

Why is my Alfa Romeo MiTo burning oil?

I recently bought a 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito with 100k on the clock. Whilst testing it, it drove nice and was smoke-free but following it on the way home when warmed up I knew it was burning oil. Could it...

Will a faulty TPMS system cause my car to fail the MoT?

Can you tell me if a faulty tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is an MoT failure point?

Do I need to buy and fit a child seat for just one trip?

I need to collect my 3-year-old grandaughter and mother from the airport as a one-off journey. Do I need to buy and fit a child seat for one trip?

Can I put all-weather tyres just on the back wheels?

I need two new tyres for my 2014 Volkswagen Golf and am thinking of getting Michelin Cross Climate+. The existing tyres are Hankook Ventus Prime2 205/55/R16. Should I put the new tyres on the back or...

Nissan Primera 2.2 dCi - cam chain or cam belt?

I have a 2002 Nissan Primera 2.2 diesel estate. Can you tell me if it uses a cam chain or cam belt?

What mid-size hatch is best for regular, long motorway trips?

I’m travelling quite far, regularly across the UK next year for work, January to July each weekend. I’d like a 4-wheel-drive, Golf-sized car. What car should I buy?

Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI - is it susceptible to hesitation issues?

I have recently bought a 2018 Skoda Octavia 1.5-litre petrol with the DSG automatic gearbox. I have since discovered that this 1.5-litre TSI engine has been subject to some hesitation issues: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/driving-1/2020-07/volkswagen-confirms-no-further-measures-planned-in-regards-to-15-tsi-issues/ Are...

Why does the Isuzu D-Max hesitate when I use the accelerator?

My employer has just taken delivery of a new Isuzu D-Max pick-up. When driving it, I find that the initial throttle response is almost zero for about 2/3 seconds before the engine picks up. This is problematic...

My newly-bought used car has a cracked alloy. What are my rights with the dealer?

I bought a used approved 2018 Mercedes E-Class from a Jaguar dealer. It's still under manufacturer warranty and I opted for year extended dealer warranty. The day I drove it away, warning messages appeared...

Can you recommend a Fiesta-sized automatic for under £20k?

The PCP on our Ford Fiesta is coming to an end soon. Ford's latest price for a Fiesta automatic is ridiculous, with very little difference with the Focus automatic. Could you recommend a similar-sized...

Could you recommend some all-season tyres?

Could you recommend some all-season tyres for my Nissan Qashqai? Size is 215/60 R17 96H. I do approximately 8000-10,000 miles a year. Looking for comfort, low road noise and safety. Thanks.

Can you recommend a reliable, small car for £2000?

Can you recommend a reliable, cheap to run, small car, please? Cheap on parts if needed. Around £2000. Thank you.

What electric vehicles can tow a 1450kg caravan?

We are being pressurised into going electric, despite the manufacturing sites not being 'green' for the foreseeable future. Being a caravaner and also towing other trailers from time to time, what electric...

Should I renew my driving licence a few months before the expiry date?

My driving license expires in February 2021. Should I apply for a renewal now or wait?

How do I keep a cherished number plate?

I'm thinking of selling my car but it has a number plate I would like to keep. Can you advise me how I go about this? I usually have the dealer do this for me

I just found hidden damage on a friend's two-year-old car. Is the dealer liable after this long?

My friend asked me to look at the grill on his car the other day. It looked like it suffered damage and was covered up with plastic body treatment. On further inspection, I found the front bumper mounting...

Can I fit winter tyres only on the front of my car?

Can you put winter tyres on the front only or do you have to fit to all four wheels?

Is my car vulnerable to catalytic converter theft?

I recently bought a 2017 Honda Civic Tourer and have read about the thefts of catalytic converters from the Honda range. Is this model susceptible to this type of theft?

Can you recommend some all-season run-flat tyres?

My wife hit a rock in the dark and totally destroyed two tyres. I was going to switch to all-season tyres on replacement anyway, so this might be a good time. The car is a Lexus UX 250H TAKUMI, tyre size...