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Honest John Ask Honest John » May 2009
Trending topics in May 2009
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Questions from May 2009
My 1993L Peugeot 205 auto with 50,000 miles has just failed MOT with leak on the power steering. There had been no indication of this problem. Peugeot dealers say it will cost £300 to replace the “ram”?...
I have looked at a Beetle 2 litre cabriolet automatic. The car is a 2006/56 with 24k miles and a service having been stamped in the book at 17k. When looking under the bonnet, I took the oil filler cap...
Just out of interest for very high mileage, is there anything that could be described as 'bulletproof'? Or at least, more bulletproof than a VAG 2.0 litre diesel?
I am after your advice with regards to the best option for long term motoring. I presently drive a 2001 BMW 320d which has 117k miles and has started to suffer from minor niggles. I recently secured a...
I have recently taken ownership of a Volvo C30 1.6D Driv-e (my Polo 1.4 TDI was horrid). It is wonderfully economical, very quiet, responsive, well finished, relaxing and refined. A dream, in as many...
Last week you advised someone that a Ford Kuga would be able to tow 2,100kg and indeed the manufacture specification bears this out. The Caravan Club, and websites like what tow car.com compare the kerb...
I currently drive a 945 Volvo estate, which I love. It's getting old-would a new V70 Diesel, 2.0 litre model give sufficient power?
We are looking for a new car 4 wheel drive car or estate car, but not an SUV to tow our caravan. We drive about 6,000 miles a year of which at least 3,000 is towing the caravan, we tow all the year round....
I have a 163bhp BMW 120d, which is great except that there is a lack of power between 1,000 rpm and 1,500 rpm. This is a real nuisance when pulling out at junctions in 2nd gear because it seems to take...
Some years ago your comments assisted my decision to buy a Berlingo in 2003. Subsequently, I upgraded to a C4 Picasso. I changed from the 2003 Berlingo Multispace after five years of good trouble-free...
I have two Ford Focus Estates on PCPs with Freeway (Lex). One had its first 12,500 service this week and I was interested to see that Lex used a member of the National Service Network instead of the...
I have bought a 207 SW Sport which has an immobiliser but no alarm. All my cars over the last few years have had both but do you recommend having an alarm fitted or does security on cars these days make...
My grandson (almost 21) has been driving for three years without claiming. He has been a student at various air schools and just qualified as a commercial pilot. Due to the economic downturn, he is unable...
I am retired and find myself in a situation whereby I need to convey my two grand children in car seats along with their mother. Therefore I need a car up to £20,000 that has space for 3 adults and 2 children...
This must be one that deserves as much publicity as Direct Line’s claim to let named drivers build up their own no claims. Last summer we sold my son’s car as he was going off to University and London...
I purchased a Nissan Qashqai on 01/04/2007. I had a diesel leak on the injectors within 4 months, then, after 12months, new shockers on rear then another set of shockers at 20 months. I don't think it's...
Two years ago my sister suffered an accident that crushed a vertebra. It has healed to a great extent and she is mobile on foot and about the house. She has a Peugeot 206 with power-assisted steering....
I put a deposit on a Hyundai 1.6 CRDI Comfort 58 pre Reg with 30 miles on the clock. It was a very good price: £9,799 at Hyundai/SEAT Dealers Coupers of St Albans (shows as £10,199 onsite). I took the...
A very dear friend of mine has to appear in court later this month charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath. If found guilty, she will receive a driving ban. In this event, I have offered to...
I'm on the waiting list for the new Focus RS and have been told by my dealer that build date is scheduled for May. For simplicity, I would like to part-exchange my Toyota MR2 but, because the Focus RS...
What do you recommend for getting engine oil off a block-paved drive way? Swarfega, or something like that?
I bought a Toro mower with a TUD 5 diesel that had broken a timing belt and bent a few valves. I got a new head from the UK and put all back together with great results. However, after two seasons of running...
At present my wife and I are sharing a 53 Honda Stream 2.0 auto (super gearbox) and a 04 FIAT panda Dualogic. We wish to reduce to one vehicle and are considering the new KIA Soul. The auto is a 4 speed...
I will shortly be returning to the UK and I am thinking of treating myself to a car. I enjoy driving and currently have a Triumph TR4A and a Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI. I have enjoyed the Prelude very much...
I found a nail in a tyre that is fitted to our 2005/55 low mileage Renault Clio. On taking it to the local tyre depot the fitter on examining the tyre stated that although the puncture could be repaired...
A sum of some £3.25 million has been allocated to York so that cycling facilities can be improved. In most people's view the cycle facilities in York are more than adequate and I for one do not see just...
I have a 2007 Ford Fusion 1.6 TDCi Zetec. I am quite pleased with the car, particularly the fuel economy, (around 60 mpg at the moment) and the car has done about 23,000 miles. About 4 weeks ago, the car...
My wife has just bought a Mazda 2 Sport ex-demo, a lovely little car. When we looked at the car before purchase and could smell tobacco, the salesman assured us he would get rid of the smell, no problem....
Recently I have noticed that some cars following me at night are causing me to dip my rear view mirror to avoid being dazzled. I have not yet been able to identify any particular makes, but these cars...
I purchased a new Nissan X-Trail DCi 150 diesel auto in January 2008. It's a great vehicle, but there is one thing that niggles me, and I'd like your opinion. It's the transmission. When you slow at a...
My post-pensionable mum is looking to replace her teenage Astra with something reliable and inexpensive to run and maintain. Journeys are typically local and short with a train being used for longer journeys....
I would dearly like to locate my dear 1967 1,098cc Austin A40, which was a little gem when I had it 40 years ago and did many miles of wonderful, faultless touring around parts of England and Scotland...
I received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) including photographs of my vehicle entering and leaving a carpark that alleges a parking contravention has occurred involving this vehicle due to a 72 minute extended...
I am looking to replace my ageing A4 Avant (1999, 180,000 miles) and have been very tempted by the new V6 S4 Avant (well, putting the cash into a pension seems foolhardy by comparison). Naturally the...
I will be travelling to Ireland next month and hiring a car. I wish to cover the excess, and the hirer quote covering at 13 Euros per day. There are companies who offer this in the UK but is this a safe...
Normally when I read the complaints of motorists fined for various minor speeding or parking offences on your page in the Motoring section of the Saturday Telegraph I adopt the view that if the rules are...
I would appreciate your comments on the wheels fitted to my car. It's a two-year-old Signum with the 2.8 turbo engine. Nice car and cheap to buy thanks to the enormous depreciation. I find it very hard...
I got tyres for my Peugeot 406 2.0 LX Petrol (195/65R15 91V) in October 2007, and they worked out at £47.00 each (fully inclusive). I now own a Ford Focus 1.6 Style Petrol (205/55R16 91V) and notice that...
Over the years you mentioned on several occasion the merits of a Ford Mondeo, so when I was offered a 1996 model, for a very reasonable price, I jumped at the opportunity. I have just started my fourth...
We own a 2002 Toyota RAV4 2.0 D-4D, with 57k on the clock. On its last service at the dealer (vehicle purchased and regularly serviced by the same mechanic) in February, we informed him of a small rattle...
I finally ordered my Jazz today after a quick 20 minute test drive. I am reassured by your forums when people say you do get used to it but am still worried that after having such a wonderful CVT box that...
I am looking to replace my CVT Honda Jazz, which has been excellent in all respects. I was going to upgrade to the new Jazz as they have now included cruise control, something I wanted in my replacement...
Until last year I had bought cars of the Vauxhall Omega, Senator, Opel Monza size. Retirement suggested downsizing with a bit of economy in mind. While the Meriva I chose last year is economical the seating...
I am looking for a used 4x4, budget up to £13k, to do an annual mileage of only around 10k mostly consisting of longer motorway journeys rather than short hops. It needs to be able to carry a couple of...
I intend to purchase a family hatchback, which I wish to keep for some time. The VW Golf Mk VI with the 1.4TSi engine looks interesting. However, it also looks complicated. Would there be any reliability...
My BMW 525TD Estate Auto gives a hard ride that transfers every bump in the road to the passengers. I assume this is caused by the low profile tyres on 19" wheels. Is this correct, and if so what size...
We have a 2008 Zafira 1.9CDTi automatic and every few weeks its warning light comes on to say we need to get it to a Vauxhall dealer. The handbook says the fault is with either the diesel particulate...
My needs are fairly basic: to carry two adults (5' 8" and 5' 5"), a reasonable boot for carrying medical bags, plus Tesco shopping. It needs to be reliable, but as we are within spitting distance of J24...
Suggestion for a Golf / A3 size, diesel, 4WD to cope with (hilly and icy roads in winter)?
Though it climbs local hills and accommodates golf clubs, the family Smart fortwo has an annoying gear change. What modest automatic should we try next to replace it please?
 

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