Ask Honest John

Most recently answered reliability questions
My question is do you have any comment to make about Volvo V50 Estates? I have had three 7-Series Volvo Estates and decided to downsize but my garage who looks after me very well has warned me off the...
Should I let my turbocharged SEAT Leon 1.2TSi's engine idle for a minute or so to allow it to cool so the oil doesn't carbonise due to the heat?
I am looking for a petrol manual 4/5 door car for 4K/5K miles. Reliability and economy are important to me. What models/manufacturers should I look at?
I just bought my first car, a second-hand Renault Scenic. It responds well and pulls away well on flat roads but uphill, it’s a different story. With foot to the floor and down to second gear, I'm lucky...
In May this year our 52,000 mile 2006 Mercedes CLS 320 CDI suddenly stopped without warning with the ignition switching itself off and the key rotating one position anti-clockwise. This in turn shuts everything...
I would like to replace my 90,000 mile 2001 Volkswagen Bora 1.6 SE, which I have had from new, with something more modern. The Bora, despite many reports to the contrary, has served us well over the years...
You tend to advise against turbodiesels in general on reliability grounds on 3+ year timescales. However, in i30 and cee'd reviews you appear to recommend the diesel engine. Is this purely because of warranty,...
My daughter was driving her 70,000 mile 1999 Ford Fiesta 1.4L petrol at very slow speed whilst parking, when the front offside suspension coil spring suddenly snapped without warning. The breakdown recovery...
We currently run a 2003 Ford Focus TDI which we have been reasonably happy with, some comfort issues apart. It has 108,000 miles on the clock and a few dents and scratches which we have not had fixed....
I'm in the market to change my Citroen C4 1.6 HDI EGS. I have had a test drive in the Jazz 1.4 ES CVT, and am quite impressed, although it doesn't have the performance of the Citroen. But I think I could...