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Honest John Ask Honest John » February 2013
Trending topics in February 2013
4x4s automatics buying diesels dpf fuel economy insurance legal advice legal and consumer advice motorways new cars owning reliability repairs small cars suvs technical issues used cars warranties wheels and tyres
Questions from February 2013
I can only get 55.8 mpg out of my BMW 1 Series after 2000 miles. Do you think it could get higher?
My girlfriend's Volkswagen Passat has reached the point where it's no longer economical to repair and she needs to find something smaller, cheaper to tax and insure with low servicing costs. Probably a...
What are the general pros and cons of factory fitted LPG systems. For instance, do you get good mpg; does the engine wear faster, is the service schedule different; are they still filling the boot with...
I changed the brake pads on a Mazda6 2008 2.0d sport and after this the engine management light came on. Would this have anything to do with changing the pads or is it sumthing else? It has 72,000 miles...
If you had to choose between a brand new Skoda Fabia SE and an 18 month old demo Honda Jazz with 9000 miles on the clock both costing £8,995 which would you recommend?
I want an SUV type vehicle, about 2 years old, with decent space and access, pothole friendly wheels, tyres and suspension and good reliability. I do low mileage, mostly short runs with longer at the...
I am an old goat and my Saab 95 estate is worn out. I am finding the buying process of a replacement car most daunting and hope that you can perhaps point me towards something suitable. 5 doors or estate...
I will soon need to change the tyres on my BMW 530d. It is currently fitted with Bridgestone Potenza 225x50 on 17inch rims. The tyres are fairly noisy so I'm hoping that you can suggest an alternative...
Wife has just had major back surgery so needs a cosseting ride, easy access and heated front seats. She needs the car for her shortish journeys, a hatchback or saloon, no smaller than C-sector with a...
I am looking to buy a SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TSI with 5 doors on a 61-plate - the reviews are good. Then I noticed they have a DSG gearbox on some models. I would like to know in your opinion if if i should...
I was looking at the brochure for the new Peugeot 208 and noticed that the kerb weight of a 1.2 VTI is 975kg, however its mass in service is 1,168kg, a difference of 193kg. What accounts for this extra...
Hello I am looking for a small car that will do no more than 2000 miles p.a. Automatic is a must and because of the mileage petrol. Many Thanks David Meecham
I bought a car (nearly new) a year ago and the salesmen told me it had one previous owner. I paid £24k for it. I am selling it now and the garage told me it is of low value because the previous owner was...
What is the best time of the month and the best month for buying a new car from a main dealer?
We are in our 70s and would like a car with good visibility, economy and ease of accessibility. Most of the journeys are short local runs but once a month we drive a round trip of around 350 miles. We...
I am looking to replace my 54 plate Renault Scenic 1.5d with a large family car. I am open to hatch, estates, people carriers or SUV's. Has to be diesel and as new as possible with some warranty. What...
I am in Africa, would like to buy a used German car. 1.8L max What would you recommend? Previously owned a Toyota Runx, but would love a "better" car. Preferably a European model. I am told they are much...
How much of a premium should I expect to pay if I ask my friendly local garage to find a specific used car for me? They are saving me a lot of hassle and possibly some expense (travelling to see cars...
I have an S-Max 2007 (57) and have been advised by local dealer that the Bluetooth is draining the battery. I understand there is a TSB to correct this but the dealer is being less than helpful.
An elderly friend has owned his C1 from new. The power steering began to intermittently stop working 6 months ago. His local [small country garage] could not diagnose the problem but fitted an internal...
I'm looking to buy a Nissan Qashqai and the salesman at Nissan said that the 2nd generation of diesel particulate filters are now OK for low mileage. Is this true?
I'm looking to buy a seven-seater 4x4 for about £5k. Looking at XC90 2003/04, Discovery 2001/2002 or any other one which have not thought about? Looking for reliability and comfort not so much running...
Despite being assured by Audi UK and also by the web that a space saver spare wheel doesn't actually exist for my 2012 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI, I passed by a car park recently by train and saw one attached to...
One of our company cars is an 07 plate MINI Cooper S with about 80,000 miles on the clock (mainly motorway). A colleague recently had a couple of warning lights show (the ABS and something else) whilst...
Which model of Ford Focus do you suggest - 1.0 Ecoboost or 1.6 Zetec? Salesman has suggested the 1.0 but I'm unsure about its power?
My diesel Subaru Legacy Tourer has failed at 45000 miles (June 2008 reg) with a crankshaft bearing failure. The car is out of warranty and does not have a complete Subaru FSH so Subaru are refusing to...
I'm looking to replace my old Escort van, with a 2-3 yr old vehicle. Most driving is 25 mile round trip commute, but occasionally I need space for the dog, going to the builders yard, etc. A Berlingo Multispace...
I am trying to find out if anyone has the answer to this question. My daughter has a 206 1600 HDI. The car went into limp mode - it will not go over 3000 rpm, it runs OK, will drive through the gears but...
On 16th January 2013 my car hit a large pothole on the outskirts of Tring. The hole was so large it pulled the vehicle to the verge hitting the concrete edge, smashing the front wheel and buckling the...
My husband has died and I need to sell his 57 plate 5 door Fiat Grande Punto. It has 56,000 miles on clock and has MOT to Oct 13. What would be the best way for me to sell the car, I obviously don't want...
My new car has mot till 19/11/2013 on our validation certificate it say 12 month mot cover the says inception date 19/11/2013 expiry date 18/11/2014 does this mean it still has a mot till 2014 please explain...
Have you had any reports on the catastrophic failure of rear stub axles on the mark two Ford Focus? Mine went last Friday, causing me to roll the car and leading to it being written off. Conveniently...
My wife's car got hit earlier in the week. It was parked, not on the highway and an elderly gentleman reversed out of his garage and hit the car. It was witnessed by my wife and the gentleman asked us...
When starting my Nissan X-Trail for the first time in the morning it starts first time, but without touching the throttle it starts to rev to 1500-2500. If I put the car in gear and move it 10 yards...
Last year when looking for a very cheap run-around I bought a L-reg 1994 Rover Metro Nightfire which has the 1.1 K series carburettor engine. I now have 2 very low mileage and rust free 1994 Metros...
I need to replace my 04 plate Fiesta as my job now involves a commute of 500 miles a week. I need a reliable, economical and comfortable hatchback, as I will also need to get a drum kit in the back at...
I'm looking at a Ford Focus 2009 estate automatic, do you rate them? Would you recommend petrol or diesel?
I spend a lot of time out of the UK. I own a car in the UK and wish to sell it (part ex) and buy another. Can my wife do this for me by proxy if a good deal comes up whilst I am away, or do I need to be...
My Son has just been offered a job in Sheffield which would mean him leaving home and buying his first car. He has been driving 7 years (he is 25) and although he has no no claims bonus, he has been a...
I had broken down on the hard shoulder of the A3 yesterday, and I put out the warning red triangle carried in my Mercedes-Benz. I was told to remove it by breakdown assistance as the triangles are now...
What should I expect to happen after owning a BMW which is just 12 months old which has been found to need all discs and pads renewing? Mileage is 10,800 of which I have covered 3600. Did not use car...
I am having a real problem with starting my car from cold. I have replaced the battery but it still doesnt like starting. The year is 2007 and it has done 90,000 miles. I have read that the glow plugs...
Where do I find the key code for my 1998 Ford Fiesta? It's not on the registration document
I took advantage of a "Free MOT" with National Tyres and Auto Centres linked with an AA membership offer. A little sceptical as to how they financed this, but having taken my car to the main dealers for...
I'm interested in a Toyota IQ. There is no spare wheel as standard. The tyre sealant supplied does not appeal. Would you recommend buying a spare [steel] wheel/tyre, please? Are there any insurance implications?...
After the auto box failure on my wife's 2008 1.8 auto Astra, we are going to get it fixed and just get rid of it. We want to buy a replacement 1.4 / 1.6 auto, upto 5 years old and upto £5,000. Would...
I wish to replace my ageing Xantia HDI. Having a degree of back trouble I need decent ride quality, though I realise it won't be as good as the Citroen. I tried an Hyundai ix35 and a Mercedes B200,...
As a 65-year-old motorist, cyclist and pedestrian, I and many others live in fear of being run over by a new generation of Olympic-crazed pedallists who have no respect for any road user including themselves....
In your reply to HH of Salford on 29 December you advised him to replace his 22-inch wheels with 18, 19 or 20-inch wheels. If he (or she) does that the speedometer and trip meter would be reading higher...
I am looking for a new car with three doors, an adjustable driver's seat (I am 5-feet tall) which is economical and good looking. Have you any suggestions? I have up to £15,000 to spend, though would hopefully...
 

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