Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » June 2012
Trending topics in June 2012
automatics buying classic cars diesels driving abroad driving techniques fuel economy insurance legal issues maintenance and servicing mpvs new cars owning real mpg reliability selling small cars technical issues used cars wheels and tyres
Questions from June 2012
What is the best mid size estate or hatch back capable of carrying 1 bicycle. I like the reliability of Honda, the retained value of BMW and any technology which increases MPG and reduces VED.
My XF is on Pirelli P Zero tyres & looks as though will do less than 15000 miles -is there a better recommendation ?
The car windows always steam in my Leon. I'm told this is a design fault. It has lead to the airbag sensors corroding under my seats. Have you ever hurd of this problem?
My friend's engine failed completely after only 15,000 miles, dealership says the cause was too much oil in the engine, but he has never added any between services.
Could you put together all information about cars with chain cam diesel engines under a clear heading? This information seems to be randomly scattered through your answers. I did once locate an Honest...
I have been driving for 3 years now, owning a Peugeot 206 which has served me nicely. I have 3 years no claims with Aviva. Since my brother now drives, the time has come for me to buy a car of my own,...
Require estate car with facility for relative high seating, driver and passenger, new or used up to 3years old and £22k. Will be used for general use low to medium miles per year, will keep for at least...
We have an ageing Yaris Verso with a side hinged rear door and a Cee'd SW which we keep catching the hatch on our low roofed garage. We think another side hinger could be the answer but can only think...
The flasher unit on my wife's Zafira is quieter than the one on my car - can you buy a noisier one?
I have a Citroen Picasso on an 05 plate which I have owned from new. One year into the warranty the power assisted steering pump went and was replaced by my local Citroen dealer under warranty with no...
I want to see if I can sell my Peugot 309. It is 1987 E reg, only 53,000 miles on clock, one lady owner who kept it in a garage. Goes really well, does not use much oil or water. Passed MOT without problem....
I have decided to empty the bank to get a good automatic car for my daily commute to work which is all done on motorways. I have a maximum budget of £8,000 but would preferably like to spend less. The...
Generally speaking a motorist pressed for cash would be driving an older car. So why don't you publish mpg figures for older vehicles? I would like to have the option of submitting my mpg figures for...
Just had a flywheel failure at 32000 miles and Citroen say that as the car has been outside the Citroen network it will not consider any liability. The car was owned by Citroen Leasing and then sold to...
A main Honda dealer has quoted me the following for a new car. Do you think this is a good offer? Jazz 1.4 ES with metallic paint with a choice of colours. £13,431.00 on the road including the following:...
I am looking to replace my Audi TT (225ps quattro) and am not sure what to choose. I like the performance of the car but am looking to get something newer with better economy. My budget is max 17,000 and...
I have a 2007 Peugeot 207 1.4 Petrol with 17,ooo miles. I have a fault light on saying fault with ABS. Diognostics check revealed ABS ECU fault. Have checked sensors, changed pads and checked wiring. Also...
Recently bought X-trail and it has a certain degree of what I can only describe as hesitancy or very slight judder/cough and splutter, always round about 2000rpm, mostly in 2nd gear. It doesn't happen...
I have had an issue with my local Citroen dealership where a member of their staff has been caught, without my permission, using my car for personal use whilst it has been in for warranty repairs. The...
My husband can only drive an automatic car, but some of the newer small cars are technically automatic/manual combined. Can he drive these? I don't really wish to drive an automatic if there is a way...
I've just bought a Freelander 2 (2010 - done 16000 miles) What are the best tyres to achieve good wear rate and quiet ride? Will do mostly 95% main roads and will need 4x4 in winter snow. No real offroad...
My 34 year old son is a graduate student in California and is learning to drive there. He wants to buy a Toyota Prius and I'm happy to help out. I'd prefer he bought a new one but he says the insurance...
I have a passion for cars and appreciate aesthetic beauty and detail. I drive a 2007 BMW 330 D SE Coupe but my parents are quite elderly now and I can no longer bear to see them struggle into the back...
The glow plug light is on all the time on my Ford Mondeo.
I work in a scrapyard and a two years ago I couldn't believe my luck when a man in his 50s dumped a Honda C90 frame and wheels. I asked him if he was dumping them and he said he'd had it in his shed for...
I have approximately £5000 to spend on a used car which would be used fairly occaisionally - looking at maybe 10,000 miles per year maximum. In my current circumstances I can go two weeks without driving...
I am trying to find out if the Qashqai 1.6 petrol vehicle has a cam chain or belt. I am looking for a 57/08 model. Would you recommend looking for a vehicle with a cam chain rather than belt? Is there...
I have a Punto 2002. It's simple to break into, as the RAC said. Two times in 6 weeks I have been targeted. How simple is it to steal it if it's that easy to get inside? I know it has no factory alarm...
I bought a new Twizy on 18th May. On getting home found back seat faulty, it had been ripped from attaching rivet. Rang the garage (who I'm pretty sure new of the fault all along) and they said that they...
I am in the market for a 1 year old, small/med diesel estate. I have never owned a diesel before and am concerned about what I read re DMFs. I have narrowed field to Peugeot 308SW, Vauxhall Astra Tourer,...
There is no Shell filling station locally so I use BP 'Ultimate' - but here it is 10p/litre dearer than'Regular' unleaded. Is there an additive that I can buy to use with 'Regular' and get similar benefits...
On your recommendation, we bought a new, top of the range, 2009 Hyundai i10 Automatic with the Kappa engine and 27,000 km later are still delighted with it. Dimensions and turning circle suit our restricted...
We are unhappy about being asked to sign Confirmation of Registration details and insure our sons car this week to hit the June 30 salesmen targets yet car not due into their dealership until July. Would...
Is there an easy way to turn off the ABS light on my Rover 75. There is no resistance in the sensors - no voltage when the wheels are spinned, so probably the ABS-unit is defective and has blown them off....
A friend was called by his daughter to replace a failed indicator lamp on her car. Having visited Halfords to purchase the lamp he found they would replace it for £3.99; let them do it was the easy option....
I'm looking to get a D-4D 1.4 Yaris in order to reduce the cost of my daily motorway / A road 84 mile commute. I note from the technical specs there is a 6 speed version which has a much better official...
Hope you had a nice weekend and thanks for your advice over the years. What is your recommended used automatic supermini for £4k and a maximum age of 7 years. My initial research seems to favour Nissan...
My car (Ford C-MAX) was first registered on 1st March 2010. I bought it new from Motorpoint Derby with only about 3 miles on the clock. The local Ford dealer tells me that it is due for its first MOT...
Just put my 2008 Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge in for it's MOT and has failed because the offside rear subframe bracket needs replacing? Only done 20,000 miles in 4 yours on normal roads, seems a bit odd, is this...
On behalf of my Mum - 75 years young! She bought a brand new Honda Jazz i-Shift in 2009 and also the Honda Happiness Fixed Price Servicing Plan for 5 Services. Bought the car as it got good reviews from...
I have a Volswagen Passat 2007 with an electric parking brake, but it doesn't work properly. In the last few days, sometimes it hasn't loosened and I have to wait for few minutes in order to move off....
I have got a car engine problem. I can't service my car because my car mechanic hasn't got a coumpter code. So please can you send us the car engine code. Here are the details: DAEWOO MATIZ 800CC SILVER...
Which personal breathalyser do you recommend to comply with the new French law, at minimum cost?
Since I gave up my company car and got a job minutes from home by bicycle I don't cover many miles during the week but do occaisional longer trips some weekends. Having noted your reccomendation of the...
I have a 1.3l Ford Fiesta (2000) petrol that has an overheating problem. Heres a bit of background: Had a major coolant leak through a dodgy drain plug back in December 2011 and didn't realise until...
My Grand Scenic won't start. It's got a low battery fault coming on the dash. I put on a brand new battery but I've still got the fault and the car still won't start. Fuses and Battery OK.
I have about £5000 only to spend on a used estate/small mpv. I am a foster carer and have to transport children of all ages, as well as buggies etc. I would prefer an automatic as often stuck in heavy...
I would like to know what engine oil is suitable for Passat SE TDI PD 1.9 automatic 2002?
I've had an intermittent issue with stop/start where my 2011 Passat won't start again when I lift my foot off the brake. I tried putting it into park, taking key out and trying a normal start but no joy....
What are the known issues with this car?
 

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