small family cars | Ask Honest John

Ask Honest John

Most recently answered small family cars questions

I was considering buying a 2.0 litre petrol Qashqai and then someone suggested the 1.5 diesel as it was more frugal on both fuel and road tax. I was a little concerned as to whether the 1.5 diesel might...

Short haul

We are looking to change our ageing 1.6 Mk4 Golf for a new/nearly new car. The car is used for short commutes of about 2 miles and has to be able to accommodate bulky objects in the back. Hatchback is...

De-knighted

Our 2002 Peugeot 307 Rapier is just coming up for its 8th annual service and MoT. So far it has been very reliable and incidentally the most comfortable car to drive in 60 years of motoring. However, at...

Moteworthy

My Dad (aged 66, retired, disabled) is about to take up a car on the Motability scheme. His first ever new car. He is pretty mobile, his disability is around angina and late onset diabetes, but quite a...

Step in the right direction

We are selling our Fiesta and now require easy access and a flattish boot. We’ve looked at Fusion and C-Max. Are there any others we should consider?

Crossover matching

We are in late 60's and have narrowed our new vehicle choice to a Nissan Qashqai or Peugeot 3008, tending towards diesel engine, but in a state of confusion as to which make and model/spec might be the...

Matching numbers

I currently drive a 53 plate Golf Match V and I'm thinking of changing it soon. I've spent over £1,800 on it in 14 months and I think it's time for a change. I've been pretty happy with it, particularly...

No stopping them

I have a ‘G201’ fault on my 2006 SEAT Altea FR. The SEAT Dealer wants £1,300 to fix the problem. Do you know if the VAG contribution is specific to the VW, or is applicable to all VAG cars? Failing contribution...

Golf warning

My sister has a 2005 Golf Mk5 GT 140bhp TDi with climate and DSG without flappy paddles but, with climate, option pack, metallic paint etc., with approx 55k miles on it. It has been on a VW service plan...

Extra Sensory

When considering buying a new Skoda Octavia 1.4TSI, I asked two local dealerships about the advisability of ordering the electronic stability programme (ESP) as a factory-fitted extra. Both were negative,...