Ask Honest John

Most recently answered small engines questions
I would like to know whether Golf the 1.4 TSI engines is a sound investment as a second hand purchase? They have relatively low second hand costs, but being turbo and supercharged is the engine unlikely...
I bought from new recently a 61 plate Hyundai i10 active (this is a 'facelift' model with kapp2 engine) Great little car as you have so often pointed out but a particularly annoying 'feature' (affecting...
I have narrowed my choices down to an Audi A1 1.2 TFSi or Polo 1.2 TSI, both petrol. I have noticed the BHP/RPM of the Audi is 84/4800 and the Polo is 103/5000, which engine would be more suited to a...
Would you know why VW aren't offering the 85ps 1.2TSI petrol engine found in the Audi A1 and Golf on the Polo? If it's good enough to lug around a bigger car like a Golf, it should be good enough for the...
I'm considering a Fabia with the TSI 1.2 105 ps engine and wondered if this fairly new design with its high pressure injectors and turbo is likely to have the same sort of problems afflicting modern diesel...
I was thinking of buying a 57/08 Vectra 1.9CDTi with less than 30k miles on the clock - in the region of £7-£8k. If insurance premium is not an issue, should I go for a 56/07 Mercedes-Benz E-class estate...
Thank you for helping me out with my previous question. If the 1.2TSI models on a Polo are good what's your opinion on the 1.2 TSI 85 engine in a 3-door Golf? Would it be underpowered to the point where...
Is the 1.4-litre engine strong enough to shift the body in semi-auto form? Will the 16 valve do a lot better?
My Corsa broke down a few weeks ago and the top end wont turn, I have been told it's the timing chain by a mechanic, but I can only find reference to a timing belt, and no one seems willing to look at!...
I'm looking to change my current seven-year old Golf TDI (1.9-litre, 130 bhp) and would like to ask about car engine sizes please. I read that modern engines are much improved and smaller engines can...