Ask Honest John

Most recently answered short journeys questions
What are the drawbacks with particulate filters?
I was sold a brand new Nissan X-Trail diesel almost two years ago. I told the dealer that we only travel around 8000 miles a year and now I'm being told the car needs £300 of work due to not being driven...
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...
The DPF on my BMW 5 Series is blocked. Can I add something to clean it as I only do short journeys, or should I give the car a good run on the motorway?
My current car is a four year old Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 HDI with 33,000 miles on the clock. I tow a small caravan (700kg) several times per year on long journeys, but my regular usage is short trips of...
In the main, I only drive twice a day for 1.3 miles each way. Should I keep the Lexus IS 2.5 V6 petrol or swap to a small petrol car, or even a hybrid like the Toyota Yaris?
We purchased an approved used 2015 MINI Countryman 1.6 petrol with 11,000 miles from a Mini dealer 12 months ago. We have driven it 1000 miles in the last 12 months (second car) and the clutch has begun...
Is it true that diesel engines are unsuited to mainly short journeys?
I need a car to do a round trip of five miles per day. I definitely do not want an electric car, but I would buy a small hybrid if it was any good. Would the starter battery or hybrid battery continually...
I have 2012 Ford Transit Connect, bought 1 November 2016. Since taking the speed limiter off the van, the fuel filter overloaded sign keeps coming up. Now the engine management light has come on with engine...