Ask Honest John

Most recently answered dealers questions
My son bought a new car almost three years ago and paid for GAP insurance at the time, to cover the difference in the insurance settlement and the cost of a replacement car should the car be stolen. The...
I am considering buying a used car from an online car dealership. However, upon asking about the warranty, I was told the cars are sold as seen. Do they not have to be responsible for a period of time...
I took my Saab 9-3 in for its first service which was completed late and left the car dirty. The garage agreed to collect the car and perform a valet as a gesture of goodwill. However, on returning the...
I have a Citroen Xsara Picasso (diesel) with 91,000 miles on the clock. A squealing noise, sounding like a slack alternator drive belt, developed when accelerating. The car was booked into the nearest...
We have just bought a second hand car from a dealer and we found we had to immediately replace broken rear springs and shock absorbers. We understand that we can claim against the dealer, especially as...
On 23 October 2009 I purchased a 2002 Golf 130 TDI from an established dealer for £4,500. It had 97,500 miles on the clock, but single owner and FSH, main dealer to 88,000. It came with a warranty from...
You may recall that some weeks I approached you with a problem concerning my i30 diesel auto here in France and how I could not get a Hyundai garage to remedy the fault. An update. Two Hyundai garages...
I am buying a two-year-old Toyota Prius for £12,000. The dealership wants to sell me GAP insurance for £350 for three years - ouch! Do you agree that this type of insurance is sensible? I can get four...
I have a BMW 320d SE first registered November 2002, that I bought second hand from a BMW dealer in 2006. The aircon pump was about to fail a month ago, picked up by my estimable mobile mechanic and he...
I own a Mercedes C220CDI and at the last service I was advised that 3 glowplugs need replacing. A price was quoted but I was advised that if the plugs were difficult to remove or broke in the process the...