Ask Honest John

Most recently answered maintenance questions
I have a 2005 Nissan X-Trail and it has had a new turbo and intercooler. Apart from the turbo issue, the car has been very reliable and I have been pleased with it. I would like to buy the newer version...
We've had three BMW 525i automatic cars in succession over the last fifteen years, and we love the ride, the space and the performance. I'm thinking about perhaps moving up to a two-year-old BMW M5, but...
Our 2012 BMW F25 X3 is almost a year old. The on-screen computer recommends the next service in 11 months, the car having covered 5600 miles from new, and we have the 5-year service pack. I am not happy...
I bought a new Mercedes E280 CDI in 2008. Is it reasonable for the turbo to have blown after only 35,000 miles?
My 2007 Passat electric parking brake also failed last month and my local Volkswagen specialist - Autotechnics in Gillingham, Dorset - fitted the new brake servo motor, calliper and new rear brake set...
I am a director of a company with two MoT stations, a couple of repair garages and a couple of tyre depots. I have worked with the same company for 30 years and in the motor trade all my life. I am the...
Our local Volkswagen dealer is recommending that as my partner's 1.4-litre petrol Golf is coming up to four years old, it should have its cam belt changed (around £500). It's done modest mileage (26,000)...
I was interested in your comments about letting a very hot turbo idle for 30 seconds before switching off. Am I correct in interpreting this as applying to all turbos regardless of make of car? Last December...
We have a 2011 Ford Mondeo Estate Titanium X 2.0 litre petrol model. We cannot find details of the optimum revs for each gear. Is this model turbo boosted and if so does your advice re leaving engine to...
I have a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E300D, the last without any electronics. It's at 212,000 miles and still going quite well, but I have a problem when my local independent garage has to change a glow plug. They...
 

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