Ask Honest John

Most recently answered maintenance and servicing questions
I got a Nissan Qashqai 1.2 petrol from a main dealer at 9 months and 6000 miles and have run 3000 since then. Do you know anything about the recalled engine computer system update? On the first service...
A week ago I asked about my daughter's 2008 Honda Jazz 1.4. You suggested uneven tyre pressure, which there was, or electric power steering motor wearing out. Apparently the car is still heavier turning...
I have a 2016 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Bluemotion with the 7 speed DSG gearbox. It suffers from loss of power when picking up from lower revs, such as entering/leaving roundabouts. The car almost dies and the...
I have been given differing advice on the belt change intervals for my 2011 61-plate Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6 HSE. It has done 45,000 miles and someone has recommended a change due to the age of the...
I'm purchasing a 2012 Renault Megane that has done 81, 589 miles. Does the timing belt need changed?
3 weeks after the emissions fix to my 2009 SEAT Exeo 170 estate, the glow plug warning light flashed continuously and limp mode activated. I visited the the SEAT main dealer twice which resulted in the...
I've just been quoted £380, including VAT, for fitting a cam belt, tensioner, water pump and Aux belt in my Volkswagen IV 1.4 Golf. Is this good value for an Audi/Volkswagen specialist? It seems almost...
We have a 2012 Ford S-Max 2.0 CDi Powershift with 45,000 miles on the clock. In last week's CAR section you suggested that the cam belt and associated parts should be replaced after 4 years. This has us...
I took my 2013 Volkswagen Passat into an independent Volkswagen garage because the washer jets had stopped working. I told them that the motor was not making any sound at all. After nearly two hours they...
The temperature gauge in my 2006 Toyota Avensis 2.2 keeps reading high. I got the car about a month ago and it has only happened twice. I took the car to a garage the day after it showed high the first...