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Honest John Ask Honest John » September 2012
Trending topics in September 2012
4x4s automatics buying diesels dpf dual mass flywheel fuel economy insurance large cars legal issues maintenance and servicing mpvs new cars owning reliability small cars technical issues used cars warranties wheels and tyres
Questions from September 2012
Bought a Honda Civic from a main Honda dealership six months ago, recently a Saab engineer had a look over and said (quote) "There's a transmission whine at idle and reverse gear engagement is very,...
My six year old Ford Focus only just passed the MOT emissions test, and I have been advised to use super unleaded petrol to keep the engine clean, is this a wise move?
I currently own a Mercedes E Class estate, and love it! I drive 500 miles a week. However, I now need a smaller second car, but do not know what I should go for. I've looked at the new Merc A-Class, Ford...
I'm sure you are aware that trip computer mpgs are optimistic by 5 - 10%, so that readers' figures based on these are unrealistic and optimistic. If I submit a figure (for a Honda Jazz), it would be based...
During my MOT, the 'shaker' upset my electric windows which now do not work at all, dead at the switches all round. The garage have tried to fix it but were not able to resurrect them, describing the...
07 June 2012- I bought a van from Anchor Vans 06 July- drove van for first time after buying it, air con was not working 20 July- local garage did air con service/ diagnostics- condenser cracked 27 July-...
My 2005 C4 VTS 80000mls has been written off. It was in excellent condition in & out with FSH. My insurance company (Hastings Direct) has offered me £2300. I payed £3100 only 8 months ago. I have looked...
I am thinking very seriously about buying a Nissan Murano, and have spotted two potential buys. The first is being sold by a Kia dealership, it has done 63,000 miles, and comes with a 3 month warranty....
I am looking to buy an mpv seating 6 to 7 adults. We would be looking for sliding doors and the 2 rear seats folding down ideally. Either petrol or diesel and between 1 to 7 years old but the newer the...
Working in a garage we have various customers who have issues with small hatch back cars with automatic gearboxes. So many of them seem to have issues with, for example, the MMT fitted to Aygos, 107s and...
I fancy driving a bit slower but in comfort. Whats going to be less painful long term - a BMW 730Ld (59)or a VW Phaeton (59)?
I would be interested in your opinon regarding whether to opt for a diesel or petrol engine for a new Qashqai. We intend to keep the car for a number of years and would be mainly used by my wife with our...
Our Mercedes-Benz CLK has two sets of tyres. 225/50/R16 on the rear and 205/55/R16 on the front complete with a 205/55/R16 full size spare in the boot. I have an opportunity to purchase four winter tyres...
What grade oil should I use in a Nissan Note 1.5DCi 2010. The vehicle does NOT have a DPF fitted.
Very interested in buying a diesel 2008-09 Volvo C70. Not sure which diesel option is the best for the future(servicing & parts). D5 179Bhp or the 2.0d 136Bhp. Offered for similiar money but performance...
1.5 weeks ago, I bought a car. Mechanic friend checked it prior to buying, did a test drive - it seemed fine. Five days later, on a motorway, I started hearing knocking noise, stopped, and after could...
Following your advice, I bought a Golf Plus with the 1.4TSi 122 engine in favour of the 2.0TDi. 23,000 miles and nearly three years on, I am delighted with the results. Fuel consumption at 36.7mpg from...
My much-loved 2007 Vauxhall Vectra VXR estate has just suffered (according to Vauxhall franchise) 'total engine failure' at 55,000 miles. Timing chain broken, crankshaft won't turn, valves bent, etc. Quoted...
Are there any repurcussions on MOT renewal, and exhaut emmissions if I have my DPF removed and replaced with a SS pipe then remap. For how long will this procedure be effective? I have been quoted £599...
Buying a small used car for an 18year old boy - looking for something that is low insurance group and low tax and a diesel engine?
I bought my Galaxy 4 months ago and noticed that the front window switch has 2 positions - one is manual and the other makes them go up automatically, saving time on holding the switch to close the windows...
Mercede-Benz has confirmed via diagnostics that the SBC unit on our 2004 Mercedes E320CDI has gone. I am aware there have been problems with this unit, possibly even a recall. Mercedes have offered to...
I have just been involved in an accident where I was hit from behind. My car is 8 years old so of low financial value and I suspect that the body work damage will be too costly for the insurance company...
I am looking to buy a new Nissan juke on PCP at the end of November, when 3 year has passed it will be November 2015. So will I get a bad trade in price on the car because they will say in 4 to 5 weeks...
I have a 2005 registered Skoda Fabia Estate 1.9 Tdi Elegance with just under 30,000 miles on the clock. I've had it from new and it has been dealer serviced throughout. We (my wife and I) like the car...
A friend buys used cars and sells them on - he as just got a Mercedes-Benz A-Class W reg and has offered it cheap. Now to look at it's a nice car and the drive was good but I keep hearing mixed reviews...
Hello, Having reached the ripe old age of 73 I ordered what I would think my last new car, a Ford Focus ST Estate, practical and fun (I hope). The car will be delivered in November, so I would need winter...
We have recently bought a 57 plate Volvo XC70 on 235/50 R18 97V tyres. Where we live has in the last few years had some bad snow fall so we would like to purchase some winter tyres. What would you recommend...
Where can I find information on converting a Jersey Channel Islands registered car into a UK one. Is type approval a requirement here?
We are considering a 4WD (or AWD) which will mostly be used in town - approx 6-10 mile journeys with no more than 6,000 miles per year. Which models should we consider and is petrol or diesel the better...
I've just done a test drive on a brand new Hyundai i30 1.4 petrol and it was extremely good. However, considering my budget is about £10,000 (with finance) I'd have to wait a while to get one in the new...
What would you recommend for a used, low mileage, petrol, 7 seater vehicle, full service history, up to 3 years old to carry 2 adults and 3 children (aged 7yrs, 5yrs, 2 yrs), to be driven 20,000 miles...
Would your recommend this Volvo as a suitable replacement for the Passat Estate I have driven for 11 years from new, or would you suggest another alternative marque? Have driven the S60 D3 R-design,...
I am looking at buying a car or van to use for everyday runs but also for going kayaking. This means I need to be able to fit a boat 8'5" inside (even if that's with all seats down and diagonally it fitted...
Clutch is noisy engaging and disengaging sometimes, usually when the engine is cold - the car is a 1.6 diesel with 18,000 miles. Sounds as if the clutch is slipping but it isn't - it pulls away great and...
Is the Yaris Hybrid 2012 a safe car regarding electromagnetic radiation? Is there a health risk? My kids will be sitting in the back, and that question is holding me from buying it?
Has Audi got a problem with oil pumps?
I was driving at night along the M27 west of Southampton and became aware of several cars parked on the hard shoulder some 500m ahead. The motorway is unlit at that point. I lifted off to assess the...
What do you recommend for legal expenses cover? Do I take the cover offered with the policy or go independent, and if so, who sells this?
My wife and I bought a MB E220CDi Avantgarde on a 58 plate 2nd hand from the main MB dealer in Shrewsbury last November. It's now due a major service, and MOT, for which the garage is quoting an eye-watering...
I am contemplating the purchase of a new car in the UK and understood that EU Directive 2008/89/EC made dedicated daytime running lights mandatory for all new cars after February 2011. Why, then, does...
Recently the air con seems to have a stale water smell. I noted that you addressed this type of problem - what do I do?
I am looking to buy a new but not too big diesel automatic - what do you recommend?
I bought vehicle with a gearbox fault, the dealer will fix it but will take approx 2 weeks and wont supply a courtesy vehicle. Does the dealer have to provide a courtesy vehicle if they are repairing my...
I drive 20k miles per year, mostly motorway and am looking for an estate car that is suitable for conversion to LPG (most of the service stations along my usual routes stock LPG). Can you recommend a good...
On a 407 mile round trip, tankful to tankful, mostly cruising at 80+ the car burned 36.07 ltr, equating to 51.3mpg. The trip computer stated 59.1 mpg, over 13% difference. Is this level of metering inaccuracy...
I was looking at a Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor Estate 2009 model year (09 Reg) On the ad it says that the engine capacity is 1596 cc whereas I thought it would be a 1.8 litre supercharged engine .......
I have an E46 coupe, which I can easily fit 1200 x 1800mm sheets of plasterboard in. I need to carry 2 doors of 1980mm- so there is an overhang (approx 100mm beyond the bumper edge) and the tailgate won't...
Please advise whether my Toyota Yaris 2006 1.3 VVT-i has a chain or belt driven cam?
I have always monitored tyre pressures of my cars with consideration to safety and economy. Lately however, I am continually baffled with the readings that I record having inflated tyres with a preset...
 

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