Ask Honest John

Most recently answered maintenance and servicing questions
I own a 2019 Suzuki Baleno. If the car has been sitting for a couple of days, the air con makes a grinding sound when it's first turned on. From then on, the air con just makes the usual click sound on...
When should you change a cam belt and water pump?
I have a 2003 Mazda MX-5. The timing belt was changed in 2013 and the recommended change is every five years or every 50,000 miles. It has now done 94,000 miles. I could do with changing the car but worried...
How would you rate a 2009 Honda Jazz automatic with 30,000 miles on the clock. It's being sold for £3750.
When is the cam belt due on my 2013 MINI One?
I bought a Mazda3 2.2 diesel 2010-plate through a finance company from a forecourt in September with a three-month limited parts and labour warranty. Last week the engine seized and the car will no longer...
I’ve just had my BMW X6 serviced. They stated that my four brake pads are between 5.6 mm and 9mm and that BMW recommends changing them at 5mm. What is the legal requirement for changing them as opposed...
My car is 18 months old and still under warranty. Its service is due and I'm booked in to my local mechanic (not the Volkswagen franchise) because he's £83 cheaper. He will use genuine Volkswagen parts,...
I have a 2015 Ford B-MAX and water is coming into the driver's footwell. Our nearest Ford garage (which has been very good and I trust) has told me that it is something to do with the heater matrix - either...
I bought a new Golf at the end of 2018 which I intend to keep long term. It drives very nicely but after 5000 miles the oil warning light came on, I topped up with synthetic 0/20 grade oil, about 500 ml...