Ask Honest John

Most recently answered technical issues questions
My Golf (100,000 miles) goes through stages of just cutting out as I stop (at lights, roundabouts, parking, etc). It happily restarts. This happens about 40% of the time - when engine is warm and once...
I have encountered intermittent power loss from my Corolla Verso, particularly on inclines and from a standing start. Cannot seem to put accelerator far as power seems to drop, come down in gear and all...
My new Suzuki Swift has Traction Control (switchable) - I have left it switched on - but am interested to hear your views on tyre wear. Will it be increased by leaving TC switched on?
I bought a new VW Tiguan in August 2010. last month the car engine light and EPC light went on an the car just had no revs. VW dealer came to pick up the car. it has been in the workshop now for a month...
How would I know if the headgasket on 02-plate Fiat Punto 1.2-litre 8 valve has gone?
My daughter's Meriva has been unlocking itself which has led to items being taken from the vehicle just before Christmas. The police said that they she must not have locked the car as there is no evidence...
I have a Citroen C5 and I was driving home the other night and the engine restricted to low Revs and it said on the display "Anti Pollution Fault." Now it was a very bad night and water did splash around...
Just passed 51k miles and now using oil at a guess of about 1 litre/500 miles. Poor fuel consumption - and when in second gear (as in going around a corner, then faced with an incline) very slow to pick...
My sister in law recently bought a 54 reg Mercedes CLK 270CDi auto with 130k on it. Over Christmas she came to stay with us for a few days which involved a motorway trip of some 250 miles. On her arrival...
My SL55 won't start when it's cold - it doesn't even recognise there's a key in the ignition. I called out a Mercedes specialist (used to work for Mercedes), who was very quick to diagnose the problem...