technical issues | Ask Honest John

Ask Honest John

Most recently answered technical issues questions

Why is my car pinking under acceleration?

My 1999 Toyota MR2 seems to be rattling/pinking under acceleration. I’ve checked the timing and its spot on at 10’ BTDC. Can you suggest any other issues that could be causing it? It was recently serviced...

Why is my Toyota Yaris using so much oil?

I have noticed that my 2010 Toyota Yaris 1.33 goes through oil. I have used genuine parts as per the last service with no help. There are no obvious signs of leaks. I was considering using a different...

New MoT headlight rules - will my car pass?

I replaced the headlight bulbs on my Volkswagen Golf about 18 months ago. Since then the new MoT rules have been introduced. The replacement bulbs are Osram Night Breakers. will my car pass the MoT with...

How often should I clean my car's air con?

My local garage recommends air con cleaning out every two years. Is this necessary?

Is my power steering failure down to a low battery?

My power steering has failed.The power steering warning light has not come on but the battery warning light is on now constantly. Is the power steering failure due to low battery power?

What should I do if I leave my car parked up for several months over the winter?

I go away for a couple of months around Christmas time and will be leaving my 2013 Volkswagen Golf on the driveway. Is it good practice to disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. What else should...

How can I tell if the clutch in my car is failing?

Do you have to reset the ECU after cleaning the Mass Air Flow sensor?

Can you recommend a classic friendly Jaguar specialist?

I have a 1999 Jaguar S-Type. It has covered 34,000 miles and has a few problems, with faulty central locking and the rear windows stuck open. I don't think it's worth paying Jaguar dealers rates for repair...

Our 2003 BMW 3 Series is consuming a lot of oil - do you know what's going on?

We purchased (privately) a 2003 BMW 3-Series 1.8-litre petrol automatic in late 2016, with 49,000 recorded miles. It has a stamped BMW Service Record, full MoT etc.The BMW had, prior to our purchase, three...