Ask Honest John

Most recently answered small cars questions
I need to replace my aging Ford Ka with a vehicle suitable for carrying my grandchildren (five and seven years old). Most runs will be short distances, perhaps 15 miles or so! I would prefer five-doors...
I am looking to buy a five door Volkswagen Polo. Do you know of any forthcoming modifications or shape changes that Volkswagen might be introducing in the near future? Would you recommend a diesel or...
What is a good, cheap, simple second hand car to buy?
At what point did the Vauxhall Corsa CDTi engine switch from a cambelt to a cam chain, as some forums say they're chain drive, while I've seen an advert advising that a car has had its cambelt replaced. I'm...
Can you recommend me a car for around £3000 please? I want something that is cheap to insure and tax, and is decent on fuel but won’t cost a lot to maintain. I’m not overly concerned about looks or speed,...
I have recently bought a Mercedes-Benz C-Class auto, and in order to make things easier for my wife and I, it might make sense to purchase a small automatic as a second car for short trips. Annual mileage...
I have a choice between late 2008 1.2 12v Skoda Fabia, 23,300 miles @ £5500, and 2006 1.4ES Honda Jazz, 46,000 miles @ £4779. Which one please? Both have full service records and both have been well...
My mother recently had an accident in her Chevrolet Matiz when she got her foot caught between the accelerator and the brake. Are the pedals on this car too close together? Is this a hazard? Have there...
I would like a small hatchback. Automatic preferable, and in the low tax range. I no longer do serious motoring so it would be just a runabout, but would like to be able to get the golf clubs in it somehow....
I'm looking to downsize from 2008 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 as I no longer the need an MPV. I like the look of the 2008 Ford Fiesta - what's the best engine? I do about 8000 miles a year (mixture of motorway/urban),...