Ask Honest John

Most recently answered goodwill questions
My 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Sport has developed a leak of power steering fluid from the steering rack after four years. They have said the steering rack should be replaced at a cost of £3000 plus labour,...
After having a foul smell appear in my '08 1.8 diesel C-Max I have taken it to a Ford dealer for inspection. I have learnt tonight that it may be the clutch. It has only done 24,000 miles and is not used...
I bought a 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Anniversary secondhand in March 2006 when it had done 8000 miles. I've had it serviced as required at the main dealers ever since. It has now done 29,500 miles....
I have a Volkswagen Touran which is now six years old. We have owned it from new and it has only done approx 30,000 miles. About six months ago, the handle that you pull the boot open from the outside...
I bought a new Ford Fiesta in November 2009. In March 2010 I noticed a bad steering vibration. This was checked at the Ford dealer who reported both front alloy wheels and one rear were buckled. Both front...
I bought a 2004 Porsche C4S with 10,000 miles on the clock (40,000 now) from a Porsche main dealer in 2007. Two weeks ago the engine blew up, which Porsche diagnosed as an intermediate shaft failure. I...
My wife bought an 2.0 TDI Audi A3 in 2005 and had a dual mass flywheel replaced under warranty after 36,000 miles in 2007. It's now out of warranty, has done 76,000 miles and needs a second DMF. Do you...
A week ago my 2005 Volkswagen Passat SE 2.0 TDI, which I have had since new, broke down and I had to call a recovery service. It turned out to be no.3 cylinder injector which had to be replaced. This could...
My Peugeot 107 has done 21,000 miles in 3.5 years. The power steering unit failed recently and was replaced by a Peugeot-approved garage. The bill was approx £650. I approached Peugeot customer care pointing...
We purchased a Vauxhall Astra Twin Top 1.8i new in September 2006. Four months ago we had a major part (engine timing kit) break on the car. The cost of this should have been £800 but Vauxhall charged...