Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » April 2012
Trending topics in April 2012
automatics buying customer service diesel engines diesels dpf fuel economy hatchbacks insurance legal issues maintenance and servicing mpvs owning petrol engines reliability small cars suvs technical issues used cars wheels and tyres
Questions from April 2012
I have just purchased a nine month old C180 auto and just wondered if what I have been advised to have servicing carried by Mercedes to protect future value of car by as much as five hundred pounds than...
Does the Stop Start system on my Alfa Romeo Giullieta 1.4 TB monitor turbo oil temperature and prevent engine shut down if the Turbo is hot? I ask because recently, after a long uphill drag with the turbo...
I am looking at swaping my 1.9 130ps MultiJet Fiat Punto for a Renault Clio due to it's high running costs. I am looking at the 1.2 TCe engine or 1.5 dCi 86. What do I need to look out for when buying...
We have driven our current Volvo 945 for 18 years and our previous Volvo 945 for 14 year.Our sons tell us we don't need such a big car at our age (73). I have driven smaller hired cars on holiday in Spain...
My wife and I are downsizing from a Volkswagen Transporter to something more practical. We have a budget of about £8,000, and would like a large, fuel efficient hatchback which will retain its value, as...
I have a choice between a brand new Vauxhall Antara, 2.2 CDTi 2wd version at £4000 off list or a 2009 Honda CRV 2.2 CTDI, with 21000 miles and all the usual toys, at the same price. What would you recommend...
Can you help. We want to buy a car that meets the following specification - A small town car Extremely economical Highly reliable 5 doors An exceptional quality interior 3 - 5 years old
Myself and my husband passed our driving tests in 2000 so missed the change in 1997. We have category B licences. Are we allowed to tow a caravan? The DVLA site implies that we could if the combined...
I have a 53 reg Merc S320 CDI, which has covered 120,000 miles. Last year (20,000 miles ago) I had to have the transmission rebuilt (ingress of water glycol). This cost £3000+ (thankfully, £1000 paid...
The key for my a three month old Mazda 2 Tamura was stuck in the fob so I took it to Mazda where the salesman tried to prise it out of the slot it but couldn't, so I then went to the servicing dept. The...
I am looking to purchase a new VW Polo, either diesel or petrol with an automatic transmission. I would also consider a used car, 1 or 2 years old with low mileage. Do you know of any garage in the UK...
The air conditioning has stopped working. When the dial is set to number 1 or 2 no air comes out at all but the air conditioning lights comes on. When the dial is turned to number 3 or 4 air comes out...
Hi I have a 2.0 ford mondeo and there is a noise coming from the steering. All you have to do is turn the wheel a bit and the noise starts. I think it my be the steering pump? Or a fuse?
You mentioned Tyrepal as made of brass & so no corrosion. This is true but their optional locking rings DO CORRODE. I had my Tyrepal stolen. I bought another to replace it & had to change the senders....
Which current VWG engines, less than 2l, are chain driven cams?
I bought an Audi TTS roadster 2 years ago to replace my wife's MR2 and as a 'fun' car for me. Unfortunately my wife has not taken to the Audi. I think its time to consider an alternative. I reckon its...
Which would be the best all round tyre for my CR-V in terms of noise, grip, wear, and price please?
I am thinking of buying a Kia Soul. A salesperson told me that Kia is thinking of dropping the Soul from its UK range to concentrate on its US market. Do you know if this is so? Also, I want an automatic....
We are planning to trade-in our trusty, much-used Isuzu Denver Rodeo (2004) for a new Isuzu D-Max pick up. We need the vehicle for daily road/track driving in the Northumberland hills, a small amount of...
When I lift the clutch pedal i get a squeeky noise. could this be a bearing or more serious the timing belt?
My seat exeo st is just 2 years old.Recently the climate control stopped giving out any cold air and also gave a terrible smell. The main dealer I bought the car from told me this was not a warranty item...
We have ordered a VW Tiguan from a broker. We are undecided as to the choice of colour and have been given a couple of weeks in which to give the broker our decision. Have thought about Acapulco Blue or...
Local Hyundai dealer charging £197 for full service to include oil, oil filter, engine and pollen filters, brake and clutch fluid as well as labour and vat. Local garage will charge £40 for labour if I...
When I drive in any gear and I reach approx 2000 revs I get a strange vibrating noise from my engine. Any ideas what this could be?
The electrics on my Zafira were playing up. The lights stayed on with no display on the dash. Started OK but now when I turn the key nothing at all works apart from the radio. I'm not a mechanic but would...
I purchased a brand new car two weeks ago on the way home my husband complained of the steering feeling really heavy. We checked tyres and iDrive but could see no fault. We got home and I took the car...
I am looking to buy Skoda with a 1.9 diesel. Which model/year will be reliable and less problematic as I want to avoid hefty repair bills.
My 55 plate Mondeo ST TDCI has a problem. It starts ok but when I pull away the ESP and ABS light comes on. The hand brake light also starts flashing on and off. When accelerating away after start up there...
I want to buy a small new or pre-reg car for around the £6k mark. I ride my motorcycle most of the year, but require a car for work. Requirements are: Cheap price (around £6k), new or pre-reg with delivery...
Purchased car in October 2011 in eary Feb with about 1800 miles on the clock noticed a slight judder - thought it was a poor road surface, after it happpened several times had tyres/tracking checked all...
A car hit me from behind. My bumper was crushed inwards and i could not open my boot. Her insurance company phoned saying that she had admitted all liability. They sent around an assessor who, at my house,...
My husband is needing to replace his car which he uses for commuting to work (around a 25 mile journey along the motorway). He has a budget of £2500 and would like to get a 5 door, reliable car in alow...
Is the suspension of the Optima better than that of the Cee'd SW?
I need to buy oil to top up my 2005 Audi A4 Avant 2.0TDI S line. The handbook is confusing, as it seems that I need a different grade of oil if my car has a DPF, but there is no explanation as to whether...
I'm downsizing my current car as I need something a lot more fuel efficient and lower running costs. I really like the Ford Fiesta and have seen a 11 plate at a local franchised dealer with 15,000 on the...
Her indoors wants to change our 2003 A3 TDI Quattro for either an Audi A4 Avant, Volkswagen Tiguan or a Golf Estate. Please can you let us know how much we would expect for trade in on our Audi? It has...
I am looking to buy a nearly new car with as low mileage as possible and budget is up to £11K. I have been drawn to the Fiesta 1.6 Zetec TDCi due to its good reviews and fuel economy but have heard talk...
I have just bought a A3 sportback 2.0 TDI SE S Tiptronic 2007. The Audi dealer that sold it to me said it had full driver information screen but it hasn't & has no controls on end of wiper arm. Should...
I am considering buying a new MINI Countryman Cooper S. Am I better off buying the 18-inch or 17-inch wheels? Is there anything else I should consider?
I recently changed a semi automatic gearbox on a 2003 Vauxhall Corsa and I was wondering if it is self bleeding? I didnt know it had a clutch fluid reservoir. Will it bleed when its running?
We had problems with car running on a short distance with flooding and drys up and restarts. The AA have been out on occasion, and after first diagnosis pointed to throttle body housing and lamba sensor....
I have an 04 Peugeot 307 petrol. When the car is cold, it judders as though there is not enough fuel going through. If the engine has not warmed up by the time I stop, the engine management light comes...
I have a Seat Altea XL 1.9 TDI 59 reg and every few weeks it refuses to start - it normally kicks over first time no matter what the weather is. SEAT installed a new fuel pump about 6 months ago, then...
I have been looking to buy a car for about 3 months and not having much knowledge of cars, as well as previous bad experience with buying, I have become too cautious. I want to buy a reliable car which...
Is buying a very high milage car worth it? 65,000 for 10 reg car, plus my 10,000 a year. The milage reflects in the price of the car, but should I pay the extra and have a car with average mileage if...
I have received a text from myclaimuk.com (447902381850) stating that I can claim for an accident that I have not had - I did not get in touch, so I know no more about it. What should I do?
My budget is £2500 approx. Which 2 seater convertible would you recommend as a summer car and why?
I was wondering which Octavia would be best to buy. The 1.6 FSI or the 1.9 TDI?
My Fiesta mk 5 1.25 will not tick over. It starts first time but won't tick over and just dies.
The last three cars I have bought were superceded within 2 months with either a new model or variant. Each time I ask the dealer pre-buying if there is a new model due any time soon, and of course they...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer