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Honest John Ask Honest John » July 2010
Trending topics in July 2010
automatics buying diesels dpf driving electrical faults engine problem fuel economy insurance model changes new cars owning reliability repairs small cars specification starting problem technical issues warranties wheels and tyres
Questions from July 2010
Why is it when talking Electric Vehicles so few people consider the Citroen Berlingo Electrique? This is a really good practical vehicle with relatively high performance – a genuine 60 mph and 500 kg payload....
We have a Ford Fiesta ST150 that was an ex-demonstration model and was bought 2 years ago. It had a service just before we bought it and as it's my husband's pride and joy doesn't go very far. Hence it...
I own a two-year-old BMW X3 3.0 Diesel Automatic. The 'birth certificate' for this car states it has CO2 emissions of 226g/km, which just puts it into the £405 tax band. Several websites quote a much lower...
A recent discussion with some friends concerning left foot braking in an automatic prompted me to write this e-mail. I have driven automatics for around 25 years and when I hire a car, I always hire an...
With reference to the letter from SS of Prenton, I used to work for an Insurance Company defending credit hire claims. Quite often an innocent if somewhat naive third party would find themselves in Court...
I was considering buying a 2.0 litre petrol Qashqai and then someone suggested the 1.5 diesel as it was more frugal on both fuel and road tax. I was a little concerned as to whether the 1.5 diesel might...
Until recently, you used to extol the virtues of the Toyota Aygo, recommending the model to many of your readers who required a small 'green' vehicle. Your enthusiasm partly influenced me to buy an Aygo,...
My daughter in law has just had her car badly damaged. Someone ran into the back of it, it cannot be driven, and it is clearly going to be the subject of an insurance claim. Her insurance includes the...
I like the looks of the Audi A5 sportback. I see the BMW 5 Series GT as an alternative, but it lacks style. The Porsche Panamera is too expensive. I need the hatchback (dog) and want 4 doors with style...
Could you tell me if you think the new FIAT (I think it is called a Ventiguila or something like that) coming on the market in July with a 1,400cc engine might be a good idea? Would the Toyota Prius be...
I trying to purchase a new van I have narrowed it down to two; VW Transporter or Renault Traffic / Vauxhall version. Which would you recommend? Both seem good vans.
I purchased a Toyota Auris 1.6 MMT in March 2007 and have generally been pleased with its performance. I only drive about 4,000 miles per year and it does what "it says on the box". However, now and again...
I’m getting a 7-seater on Motability. I need auto for my disability. Have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. My 10 yr old disabled daughter needs to be in the centre of the middle row seats. Teenagers have...
My wife loves her Panda 1.1 Active. It is 5 years old and has been completely reliable, but the ride has become more jolty as the Dorset roads have deteriorated especially in the last year. Which small...
I currently have a Toyota Yaris, which I should be happy with, but it lacks any joie de vivre or real joy of driving. In a perfect world, I would have a nice two-seater sports car (I used to have a BMW...
Do you have a view on electric vehicles?
I have driven a Hyundai Matrix 1.8 for the last seven years, from new, and never had any trouble with it. I am 73 years old and don't do many miles. I just drive around the Isle of Man, where I live, and...
Please can you offer some advice? We have recently been sent a "Parking Charge Notice". The Notice shows my wife's registered vehicle entering and leaving a MacDonald’s car park at Bell Lane London Colney,...
The paint protection Cilajet is getting good reviews on this side of the pond. US and Canadian websites are www.cilajet.com and www.cilajetcanada.com I'm not sure if the product is available in Britain....
My 20 year old daughter bought a 2nd hand horse trailer last week from a private seller who described the trailer in good solid condition and as having no faults that could not be seen in the photos. When...
I am considering buying a 2007 Ford Focus C-Max Zetec 2.0 Automatic. The car has done 13k and the independent dealer is asking £6,999. I would have to trade in my ’53 Mondeo 2.0 six-speed diesel Ghia with...
I have just purchased a new Hyundai i30 1.6 Comfort. The car is fine except for the accelerator, which is very fierce at small openings. This makes it difficult to start smoothly and to drive in stop-start...
I have a Road Angel speed camera detector, which displays my speed. On my Honda CRV it always read 3 mph higher than the car Speedometer. I have changed now to a Civic Type S and the Road Angel reads 5...
I bought a 2006 Focus 1600TDCI 110 with a relative’s help at a car auction. It was cheap at £4,000 because it had 139,000 miles on the clock. It came from Leaseplan and had been doing journeys from Braintree...
I own 1999 Honda Insight hybrid that was imported from Japan. It's my third Insight. My question is, why has the DVLA given my car a 145g/km rating when my previous two had a 80g/km rating? The engine...
I am in the motor trade and was on road test in a customer’s car the other day. He was driving and block changed from 2nd to 5th at about 35mph going UP the gearbox. I was horrified, believing this would...
Perhaps you would like to alert your readers to a potential trap. Recently, in Hanover, parked up legally in the museum area, I returned to find a ticket on the car. On enquiry, this turned out to be a...
We recently changed our car insurances and have a much better and cheaper deal from Saga than our old company. Loyalty certainly did not pay. However, we have been persuaded to change our roadside assistance...
The current disgraceful state of the roads here in Northumberland, and apparently across the rest of the UK, finally puts paid to the absolute lie that speed cameras are about safety. If the previous government...
In recent correspondence, CS suggested that 4x4 owners should assist "public authorities" delivering meals on wheels etc. when it snows. There are organisations that already do this, particularly COTAG...
Many cars (Golf, Audi TT) have no spare tyres. The can of sealant costs £45 (or £3 from cpc.co.uk) and once used, the tyres cannot be repaired, needing new replacement(s). What progress? Can Golf Mk4 emergency...
I noted your recent comment on the time lag with VW DSG gearboxes when starting at junctions. My three-year-old Passat 2.0TDi DSG suffers from this to such an extent I am considering changing it for a...
I have been looking at some of your reviews and see that in the price/specification section your figures do not seem to agree with other publications/websites. For example, in the case of the Volkswagen...
I know many people who are over 70 whose old paper licences have not expired when they have reached 70, so they continue to drive for many years without re-applying. Are they driving illegally? If so,...
I have £7000 to spend on a used car and have a choice of two motors to buy. I have placed a check on both cars and both are ok. Obviously I have to check the validity of the documentation, VIN numbers...
I can't believe that my 2001 immaculate Peugeot 306 is in need of an o/s driveshaft. The car has only done 52,000 miles and I’m the second owner. It’s not fair. Can anyone recommend a good garage located...
I drive an Nissan Tino 2005. There is a spanner on the display which states the car is due for a service. How can I turn it off?
How many blue, silver, red, green, black, white and yellow cars are made in the UK?
How much can I expect in part-exchange for a 57-plate 1.4 Vauxhall Corsa automatic with less than 10,000 miles, in metallic and very clean?
I was wondering if you know if there is a common fault with the Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9l diesel's DPF? I'm having trouble with the warranty on my car. Also, how much should this cost to fix?
I'd like to buy a year-old Audi A3 Sportback and have a choice of three; a 1.6 TDi, a 1.8t, or a 1.4 TFSI. My driving now consists of about 7000 miles a year, mostly short runs on A and B class roads with...
I'm looking to buy a new small car and, having done a bit of looking around, on the top of my wish list are the Suzuki Splash and the Vauxhall Agila. I know they are very similar in terms of design, but...
We are considering buying a 2- or 3-year-old Honda CR-V and wondered how good and reliable the diesel engines are? Are they likely to have problems later on when the mileage gets high?
I am told that there is a switch on the Volvo V50 which deflects the headlights for European driving. Where is it?
 

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