Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » November 2012
Trending topics in November 2012
advice automatics buying buying a new car buying a used car buying and selling consumer rights diesels dpf driving hatchbacks insurance legal and consumer advice maintenance and servicing owning small cars technical issues used cars wheels and tyres winter tyres
Questions from November 2012
You have always recommended Shell V Power petrol and I have run my high mileage BMW 535iMSport on it for three years and my wife's C-Max 1800cc similarly with absolutely no problems. Now a new BP station...
My new car (a BMW 320i xdrive) is due to arrive in two weeks. I am trying to sell my 2006 56-plate Audi A4 3.0TDI quattro auto with 62,500 miles. It has all the extras (except nav), and is covered by the...
I was looking to buy a Dodge Nitro 2.6 CRD SXT from a dealer. It's three years old, has done 36,000 miles, and claims to have 'full Service History'. Looking at the logbook, the first two services were...
Having spent a few years mostly renting, I'm looking to buy a new or nearly new car. I'm looking around £15k (possibly with a finance deal), anything from a Golf size or bigger. The main criteria is it...
One of my driving light bulbs has blown on my 5008 - Halfords has never changed such a bulb, and my local dealer requests about £90 to remove front bumper and headlamp assembly to access the bulb housing...
With the potentially imminent discontinuation of FM, could you advise sources for retrofit/aftermarket DAB systems that could be integrated with the OEM system - or would I have to install a stand alone...
My Honda CRV is kept in South Africa, and used 3-4 months of the year. Maintenance charging is not an option, so during storage I intend to: (1) Use nitrogen in the tyres and pump up to fully laden pressures (2)...
I recently bought my sister's BMW 3 Series E46 (2003) Touring, which had 93,000 miles on the clock. She was using diesel from the nearest garage when necessary to fill up. The car has a full service history....
We purchased a Honda CR-V 12 months ago. It is a nice car to drive, and we have had no issues. However, when the car is driven on a motorway the car becomes extremely noisy. So much so that if you are...
I've owned a 2004 Volvo V40 1.8 for about a year. I bought it from a doctor friend who was emigrating and so far it has given no problems at all. Although it came with most of the paperwork, my friend...
I have the a Citroen Berlingo with the 1998cc HDI engine. It has nearly 160,000 miles on the clock, and has been fully serviced. Runs brilliantly, except on very short start/stop runs from cold on damp...
I bought a used Jaguar XF (V6 3-litre diesel) a year ago to replace my ageing Saab 9-5 Aero (which I still have and can't part with). The XF has outstanding ride quality but on a recent longish cross country...
Can you recommend me a car for around £3000 please? I want something that is cheap to insure and tax, and is decent on fuel but won’t cost a lot to maintain. I’m not overly concerned about looks or speed,...
My 12 year old Toyota RAV-4 is operational (8 months' MoT) but a garage report has listed a lot of upcoming problems - brake pads, two tyres, exhaust box, possible water pump problem, failing window motors...
I need a small five-door manual, mainly for local runs but some longer drives, to replace a fantastic 12-year-old Daewoo Matiz SE which is showing its age. Used vehicle would be okay. Any suggestions?
My Range Rover Evoque only two months old, and has already spent five days at the main dealer. They've been trying to fix creaks around doors, seats, dashboard and rattles in the door cards, but have been...
I bought my 2009 Vauxhall Antara from Motor Parks (Preston) in Sept 2012. At the time, I was told by Salesman that it was ex-Mobility, and had a full service history. However, the company has lost the...
I have recently bought a Mercedes-Benz C-Class auto, and in order to make things easier for my wife and I, it might make sense to purchase a small automatic as a second car for short trips. Annual mileage...
I have a choice between late 2008 1.2 12v Skoda Fabia, 23,300 miles @ £5500, and 2006 1.4ES Honda Jazz, 46,000 miles @ £4779. Which one please? Both have full service records and both have been well...
I'm looking at a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C180K Sport Coupe automatic with 44,000 miles at £6495 - which seems good value. Were the quality and rust problems that Mercedes-Benz endured in the early 2000s generally...
The power steering pump and steering rack on my sister's low mileage 2004 Mini One 1.6 petrol, manual, convertable have gone and need replacing. Do you know if these are common faults with Minis and if,...
Is the Touran 2.0FSI engine from 2006 reliable?
I currently drive a P-registered Volkswagen Golf 1.6CL, and my husband has a 2.5-litre 2001 BMW 3-Series compact. We are looking for a single replacement for both cars, and currently considering a used...
I recently asked your opinion on the SEAT Alhambra and the Peugeot 5008 with the semi-auto gearboxes. You said neither and recommended the Toyota Verso which is above my price range on Motability. Someone...
I have a 2006 Toyota Corolla 1.6 with a noisy valve. Toyota tech says a batch of these were produced, and he said that the valve stem mushrooms due to being incorrectly hardened both he and a mechanic...
We need a large car to transport five dogs, and tow our 1500kg caravan. We currently have a 2006 Citroen C8 with a cage system in the rear. Like the look of a Discovery 3, but worried about high fuel...
A friend is looking to replace his BMW 750 V12 with a later 760. He's come across a car that the dealer says is '06, but my friend knows was built in late '03 and supplied to Jordan in '04. The private...
Which would be the better buy? I'm thinking of a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDi or 2008-'09 Range Rover Sport HSE 2.7. I have a budget of about £25K. I currently run a 53 plate Mercedes-Benz E320 CDi Avantgarde...
My car is due out of warranty next month. I have just been advised by Green Flag (starting problem) that the fan belt and tensioners are worn, and should be changed. The car has done 35,000 miles. Is...
I was involved in an accident earlier this year in which I was hit from behind whilst stationery. My car was written off and the third party has admitted full liability. Will this be recorded on my records...
I have Yokohama W Drive drive fitted to my 4wd diesel auto Nissan Qashqai; when driving in snow should you have the ABS/EBD turned on or off - I am receiving conflicting advice? Also is it better in...
Replacing current car - my car is a 2004 Volvo V70T5, with 273,000 miles on the clock. While the engine is strong, the autobox is starting to wear. I have owned it four years and done 120,000 miles without...
We recently bought a high(ish) mileage (80,000) two year old Golf Bluemotion from Car Giant supermarket. The brakes have always been a little squeaky, however after a 300 mile journey back from The Lake...
I have an elderly mother who is now finding it difficult to get into a normal car. Can you suggest small and medium cars that have high seating/floorpans? Not necessarily 4x4s...
My Peugeot 508 1.6eHDI recently had to be towed to my local dealer for a fault diagnosed as a blocked diesel filter. Although less than two years old and still under warranty the fault was considered to...
My mother recently had an accident in her Chevrolet Matiz when she got her foot caught between the accelerator and the brake. Are the pedals on this car too close together? Is this a hazard? Have there...
I would like a small hatchback. Automatic preferable, and in the low tax range. I no longer do serious motoring so it would be just a runabout, but would like to be able to get the golf clubs in it somehow....
I'm looking to downsize from 2008 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 as I no longer the need an MPV. I like the look of the 2008 Ford Fiesta - what's the best engine? I do about 8000 miles a year (mixture of motorway/urban),...
Could you please give me some advice on the best winter tyres for my Volkswagen Golf Match TDI - tyre size at the moment 205/55/16.
I'm thinking of buying this car from a dealer. I took it for a test drive - it drove very well except that the clutch seemed very heavy, to the point that I would not buy it if, I intended to do a lot...
I have been served with with a APCOA – PCN - City Council Parking Ticket. They are demanding the full amount £50, as the original fine from a parking ticket was not paid within 14 days. Reason - Not displaying...
The tip of the speed sensor has broken off, and must now be in the engine of my Ford Ka. I've tried fitting a new one, and it won't tighten enough. How can I get the broken piece out? any ideas?
I bought my automatic petrol van in 2007. I have done over 90,000 miles and I have serviced it regularly. I changed the Cam belt at 70,000 miles and it has got a new starting motor. What should a good...
I have noticed "rolling resistance/friction" at lower speeds as if the brakes are not fully off. There is also a high frequency "fizzing" sensation through the steering wheel. There is no noise or smell...
Last year you advised me of the tyres to fit and I followed your advice and we got through the winter without trouble after having been cut off many times previously. BRILLIANT! We had only a dusting of...
The are several companies advertising up to £5000 off new cars. At the last minute, just as you are about to pay the deposit over the phone, they tell you that you will be the second owner on the V5...
Does swirl flap failure affect the 525d engine as regularly as it affects the 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre litre engines?
Does my 2004 Toyota Yaris T spirit have a timing belt or chain?
I need to get rid of my MG ZT-T CDTi and get something much smaller and more economical as I am commuting 500 miles per week between Warminster and Weymouth - all A roads with a few miles of dual carriageway...
My local Waitrose supermarket has just changed from BP fuel to Shell. On your advice I have avoided supermarket fuel like the plague. As I believe that Waitrose only have 12 supermarkets with fuel stations,...
 

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