Ask Honest John

Most recently answered maintenance and servicing questions
I recently bought my son a BMW 1 Series for his 18th birthday. Soon after the filter light came on. We took it to a garage to be looked at and the turbo was burnt out, so had to be replaced. We also had...
I bought a Toyota Auris from a main Toyota dealer a week ago. The car is a 16 plate, with only seven miles on the clock when I bought it. The car was a Toyota fleet car, so was unused for over a year....
Should the fan run continually when the engine is running or only when coolant reaches a certain temperature?
When I have my Land Rover Defender re-sprayed, what can be done about the aluminium corrosion on the door panels and round rivets?
I've just bought a new Volkswagen Golf. Do I have to take it to a Volkswagen dealer for servicing or can I take it to my local garage as long it's stamped and they use Volkswagen parts?
I have a 2009 Renault Clio, which has done 3500 miles. According to Renault, it needs a new cam belt. They recommend that the tensioner and the water pump should be replaced, but nothing else needs done....
I have a 2016 Audi A3 sportback S-line. Very pleased with it, but it's now due its first service. Do I need to go through Audi? I have an excellent local garage who will inevitably undercut the prices...
My dad purchased me a 2009 MINI about two months ago, in which time I've done 2000 miles. When the car went for it's MoT, it passed with a minor refusal for headlight bulb but was advised an engine management...
I have a Renault Kadjar diesel, which I'm told needs servicing every 18,000 miles. I'm a bit uneasy about this. I had Skoda diesels previously that I took off longlife service intervals and did every 10,000...
We had an alternator replaced recently on our Hyundai Sante Fe. This morning the brakes failed completely and I crashed into another car. Brake fluid levels are fine and there was no warning at all. Could...