Ask Honest John

Most recently answered owning questions
How can I find out if my vehicle is properly taxed?
To give you the overview: My Qashqai is three and half years old, so only 6 months out of warranty. Full service history with a Nissan dealership. last service only 6 months ago, and has done approx 42k...
I have a 2008 (08 Plate) Ford Fiesta Style Climate 1.25, with 34,700 miles on the clock and a full dealer service history. When do I need to change the timing belt? Also do I need to replace the tensioners...
My wife's 54 plate Renault Scenic with nearly 90 thousand miles on the clock (or was!) has suddenly lost all information on the dashboard - speedometer, fuel gauge - everything. Our local garage has...
How long it takes to HPI company to update their database? I just bought a Ford Fiesta from a Ford dealer. After I paid I did HPI check which shows that car has outstanding finance on it. The dealer...
I am trying to rebuild a 1965 Austin A40 Farina but cannot find a new original off-side sill. The pattern parts are largely unsatisfactory and I have seen mark 1 sills turn up but these are different to...
About a year ago idle control became very poor on my 2007 Nissan Qashqai. When engine and/or air temperature are cold, idle falls to around 500rpm when the clutch is dipped at junctions or in traffic,...
Are you able to advise re a suspected side effect of insurance companies' measures against "fronting"? An elderly neighbour's car is owned and registered to him. He has not driven for several years and...
Last year my Jaguar X-Type diesel's fuel consumption suddenly dropped from 52 to 44mpg. I have put two lots of injector cleaner in the tank; changed the fuel & air filters; checked the MAF and DPF operations...
Ford advises annual services at 12K miles. Is it worth carrying out an interim service at 6 mths/3K miles? My car, a Ford Focus, only does 6K miles/year and was wondering if oily bits really get bad...