Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » January 2011
Trending topics in January 2011
4x4s batteries buying car prices dealers diesel particulate filter engine fuel economy insurance legal issues mpvs new cars owning selling small cars small family cars starting problem technical issues used cars wheels and tyres
Questions from January 2011
When I start my Peugoet 306 D Y-reg up it is erratic (shakey), but after about a minute it goes away. Do you no what is causing this and what I need to do to fix it?
We bought a '55' plate C3 diesel on 11 May 2010. The clutch failed at Christmas at a cost of some £600 inc VAT. The dealer who supplied the car also carried out the repair. The clutch plates were not at...
Just bought my third Toyota Verso, which comes without a spare wheel. Thinking of buying four steel wheels with winter tyres. Can I put a steel wheel and tyre in the boot during the summer, and conversely,...
I put £10 into a ticket machine at P&O Ferries, run by PPS. When I returned to my car two days later there was a 'penalty notice' for £30, rising to £100 if not paid within a certain time. The ticket showed...
We recently part-ex our two company Hyundai Getz 1.1 CDX for two six-month old Kia Rio 1 1.4s. While this car is basic and is designed for the emerging world, we have found it to be ideal as there is very...
I went to renew my insurance policy and i told them about some previous motoring convictions that occured some years ago as which I hadn't told them about because I didn't realise that I had to. They are...
We are in a similar position to your contributor regarding part time living in Spain. However, we live in the South in the Andalucia region, and bought a car, Spanish registered, 18 months ago. The...
I live in Coventry and my partner lives in Reading. We do 1000 plus miles each month on the M40. Our three current vehicles are: a 1987 V8 Landrover station wagon (LPG) which is great for carrying us,...
Hi, In April I bought A 2004 Diesel Kia Sedona from a man who said it was uesd as part of his taxi firm. He showed me a very up to date log book, which showed it had been serviced and MOT'ed every six...
Renewal for my Volvo XC90 came through from Direct Line for a fraction under £500, this seemed high so I logged on to the Direct Line website to see what they'd quote for a new customer. A quote came back...
We were thinking of selling our Audi Q5 to an Audi dealer who has offered us £30.5 k. He has suggested payment in the form of a banker's draft, but is this the best form of payment and do the funds clear...
My brakes failed without warning yesterday. When brake pedal is pushed I can hear air coming from front nearside. I wanted to check brake hose for damage but don't know where it is located please can you...
When the car is in a higher gear with too little revs and I accelerate, it jerks. Do you know what this?
In Nov 2009 an error message on my Ford Focus TDCI (56 plate, 65k miles) subsequently indicated that i needed the Diesel Particulate Oil changing. My local reputable independent garage was unable to help...
With the likehood that increasing worlwide demand for fuel will continue to hike up prices, I am seriously thinking of buying a Toyota Prius. I do, however, have reservations about the batteries and whether...
I need a secondhand car or van for fishing. Access is by farm tracks which are rutted and sometimes quite muddy. I need at least 20cm ground clearance or better. Would a small 4x4 be best? Budget up to...
Can you give any help on the Hyundai ix35 situation? I have been waiting on delivery since July 2010. It's a 2.0-litre premium with both Media and Individual packs in Cassa White. Hyundai don't tell us...
I have just got home and have a letter from the police saying that I am being sought for driving without due care and attention, failure to stop at an accident and failure to report an accident at Tescos...
I am viewing an automatic Toyota Estima/Ultima second hand. Is there anything i should know? Do they have any odd quirks? Are they reliable?
I am a staff continuity announcer at a TV channel, with a 17 year old son who has just passed his driving test. I am currently insured by the RAC for an annual premium of £260. The quote to include my...
There seem to be a few different makes on the net. Do you have any reccommendations please? (Thanks for a great column; always interesting)
I am disabled and have seat raised and cannot get seat belt into lock easily. Can you buy extensions? The Ford garage has said no.
My wife has a Hyundai Coupe, having had many BMW 3-Series. She loves the Hyundai, but we want a used small four-wheel drive as my Jaguar XF is useless in the snow. It must be an automatic with air con...
Whilst having a "senior moment" I drove my Morris Minor with the Unipart battery filler plugs just sitting on top of the battery and two are lost forever. Have searched the web but am unable to find some...
Buyacar.co.uk says they obtain BMWs from UK dealers and all warranties etc are exactly same as buying from UK BMW dealer. Is anything known about this company? Parting with over £20,000 via internet...
Due to the Hyundai ix35 fuel consumption problems, is the Mitsubushi ASX a better bet overall?
I have a Volvo 850 2.5 petrol (465000 miles) and want to get a car with the same specification (automatic) for less than £3000 and to be as reliable. Can you suggest a good car?
Is buying a small car from a car supermarked a safe bet? Do you get the same service as you would from a small independant and how do prices compare?
I have a 2006 VW Golf GTD and i want to fit winter tyres. The ride is uncomfortable on the stndard 17-inch wheels so I ask if it is allowed to fit a smaller diameter wheel set, say 15-inch? I notice the...
Can you tell me if my Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3-litre has a recall? My air bag light is on and the horn is not working.
I've just bought this 2000 BMW 520i and The EML light has come on and you can press the accelerator to the floor but no power really. Might do 10mph! ABS light also on dash but know its probably sesnsor...
The heater on my Ford Mondeo (03) does not heat the footwell. Blows up top for windscreen, but footwell and main blowers to face no air coming out. I think the pipe may have come off need to trace it....
Why would a sealed car battery not hold charge over a period of two weeks?
We will soon be taking delivery of a new Laguna Coupe. Is there a need nowadays to apply a corrosion inhibitor, underseal or whatever in view of the large amount of salt used on the roads in winter? If...
I have a quote from Mr Clutch for £210 for a new clutch, local main dealer quotes £650 and says that parts alone are over 200. Have you heard good things about Mr Clutch?
My wife's S3 was 11 months 29 days old when at 7900 miles I sent it to an Audi main dealer for oil service on 30 Dec 2010. After 40 miles I discovered oil underneath it. There was no reading on the dipstick...
I have recently bought an Audi A3 and the rear windscreen wiper will not stop. I have unplugged it at the moment, but what is causing this?
The last two winters a cable has burst leading to the rear screen washer. Screenwash pours into the passenger footwell when operating the back screen washer. The car has been fixed twice under warranty....
What are the most economical second cars you recommend? I don't want to spend more than £3000 if possible. The car will mainly be used for journeys up to 10 miles.
Have received notice to pay a fine for not paying the London Congestion Charge. On that day, the vehicle was being repaired in a Ford garage in Cumbria. What do you recommend I do next?
My father in law has been advised by his GP not to drive anymore (he's 80) so he is taking the advice and stopping, however he only bought his latest vehicle a Hyundai i20 automatic (1.4?) petrol, 6 months...
I am considering buying a Golf 1.4S and have two options: April 09 (09 plate) with 7.5k miles on clock for £9490 - this is an ex Euro Car hire car. Or: Sept 09 (59 plate) with 9.6k miles on clock...
I've just bought a Vauxhall Astra 1.6 auto and the temperature gauge doesn't move when driving but when sitting it starts to rise?
I may just be unlucky but it seems I am experiencing (by proxy - my son is the driver of these vehicles, but bank of Mum & Dad is involved) two cases of engine damage/destruction by timing chain/belt failures...
My vauxhall vectra diesel 2.0-litre has a problem. Sometimes the turbo kicks in and sometimes it does not?
I have a 2002 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI 115PS. When started especially first start of the day it will start but then cut out immediately unless you rev it and then it will be fine. It also intermittently will...
I had a brake failure and my Nissan Micra was declared a total loss by my insurance company in Aug 2010. My insurance company took a long time to settle a reasonable payment for my Nissan Micra. Not...
I have an August 2006 registered car. In seven months the warranty runs out. The car is due its 40k service in February (the cars actual mileage is 30k.) The car was originaly registered to Hyundai...
My Ford Mondeo 1997 1.8 5 door washer fluid won't work?
I am thinking of purchasing a Toyota Avensis CDX. Can you advise me if the car is reliable and good mpg. The car has 123,000 miles on the clock. Is there anything I should look out for? It's w reg and...
 

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