Ask Honest John

Most recently answered reliability questions
My friend has had some problems with his Mk4 Golf running rough on idle and misfiring. It's an 02 1.6, and he's fed up so is thinking of replacing it. He's now doing a long commute and looking at diesels,...
James May's eulogistic comments about the late-lamented Renault 4 in July 9 Telegraph Motoring raised many nostalgic memories about this excellent little car, of which we owned five different examples...
Just bought my wife a Fiat Grande Punto 57 plate, first reg Dec 2007 and it's an auto which you can also use as a manual (like a mini tiptronic). Its done 29,00 miles. Wife loves it, nice to drive etc....
To counterbalance the negative feedback on VW I am pleased to report that I am a happy owner of a VW Passat. I bought my first Passat, a V5 automatic, in 2002. This I traded in against my current car,...
Looking to buy a small, 5-door used car. Up to £3,500. High mileage not a problem as will only do about 5,000 miles p.a. Runaround for wife. Small engine is a must so economical. Any ideas?
Can anyone explain to me why the Insignia was awarded the 2009 "Car of the Year Award"? The more I read about faulty Vauxhall DMFs and clutches, the more I despair. A pity the senior management didn’t...
I've seen your reviews of the diesel engines in Saab 9-3s, which you refer to as "one of the worst diesel engine installations of recent years", but should I be similarly wary of the petrol engined versions?...
I am looking to buy an estate car that is 4x4 and diesel, I have somewhere between £10000 and £13000 to spend. I seem to be looking at either a Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer or Outback or Skoda Octavia Estate...
I do 36,000 miles a year commuting (95% motorway) and have been running a 2007 1.4 diesel Fiesta to keep fuel costs low. I've already had to replace the EGR valve and there are signs of further trouble...
I am looking for a small automatic and am interested in the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta, but want a 'proper' automatic box, not one of those that is a clutchless manual ( I have one on another car -...