Ask Honest John

Most recently answered ved questions
Recently I received a tax disc renewal reminder for my Mercedes 2.5TD from DVLA stating £185 for one year. Because DVLA is encouraging online renewal I opened the web site where I was asked to pay £190...
Some time late March, early April I applied on line to renew my car tax (due end April). Very impressed, easy, fast and received the new disc my middle of April. This morning, 6th May the postman delivered...
I would like to replace my current car but want to keep within the low emissions band and also have a limited budget. I have been looking at the Hyundai i10 and KIA Picanto Chill, and would be grateful...
My wife, who is in her 50s, has decided she would like to learn to drive. I would welcome your suggestions as to a suitable car to buy for her. It should be reasonable to insure and run. My budget is between...
I am writing on behalf of my 86-year-old father. He has a 2004, 1.6 automatic, 5-door Ford Focus. He pays £210 per year for road tax, but has noticed on other Focus seen in car parks that none of them...
I have recently taken ownership of a Volvo C30 1.6D Driv-e (my Polo 1.4 TDI was horrid). It is wonderfully economical, very quiet, responsive, well finished, relaxing and refined. A dream, in as many...
I am interested in the new Toyota Yaris 1.33 stop/start. Particularly attractive is the low VED, the 6-speed gearbox and dual VVT-i Technology that makes the car quick but economical. I have noticed your...
You gave me some very good advice 4 years ago: "You would be mad to buy a Rover 25. Choose a Honda Jazz." It's time to move on, but I'm 76 and don't keep abreast of new models. I just need something...
Can you explain why a VW Caravelle falls into a Car taxation bracket and therefore high VED banding when they are a derivative of the Transporter that is a PLG class and has the much lower road tax. Incidentally...
The Road Tax for a Honda Jazz I-Shift is currently £120 reducing to £90 next year. A few months ago in your column you indicated that you thought the Road Tax for the Honda Jazz I-Shift might be re-classified...