Ask Honest John

I only do 3000 miles a year - can I save money by skipping the annual pollen filter change?

Our Renault Clio only covers about 3000 miles per year. The pollen filter is changed at each annual service but I feel that this is a bit overkill. Should...

Tags: low mileage maintenance and servicing service interval pollen filter consumer advice
Renault Clio 2013 on

My new car is 14 insurance groups lower than the previous one - so why has my premium gone up?

My wife recently changed her car from a Land Rover Freelander, worth £2000 and insurance group 23, to a Renault Clio, worth £2000 and insurance group 9....

Tags: insurance claims personal injury claims insurance insurance groups whiplash no claims theft young drivers consumer advice ncd ncb
Land Rover Renault Freelander 2 2006 - 2015 Clio 2013 on

My daughter's car was hit by another car and we now can't contact him - how do we make him pay for the damage?

My daughter's Renault Clio was hit in the back at a roundabout exit by a Ford Ka. The Clio sustained some damage, my six year old granddaughter and her...

Tags: liability legal advice insurance accident claims accidents accident management legal issues police accident damage claim management
Ford Renault Ka 2008 - 2016 Clio 2013 on

What is the OEM specification for the engine oil in a 2016 Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 diesel?

Can you tell me the OEM specification for the engine oil in a 2016 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 diesel? After hearing rumours of emission upgrades, I'll be having...

Tags: fuel economy maintenance and servicing oil changes owning consumer advice emissions fix void warranty
Renault Vauxhall Kadjar 2015 on Astra Sports Tourer 2016 on

Can you recommend a quiet car with a decent boot?

In recent years I've suffered hearing loss, so with cabin noise it's difficult to converse with my wife while driving our 2013 Ford Fiesta. We are now...

Tags: buying a new car buying and selling electric cars road noise consumer advice quiet cabin cabin noise hybrid cars
Hyundai KIA Nissan Renault Toyota Ford Ioniq 2016 on Niro 2016 on Leaf 2011 on Zoe 2013 on Auris 2013 on Fiesta 2013 - 2017

I had the cam belt on my car changed seven years ago - does it need another one now it's hit 60,000 miles?

I have a 2013 Renault Clio 1.4 and it has done just shy of 60,000 miles. It's already had a cam belt change seven years ago (25,000 miles ago). Will it...

Tags: cam belt replacement maintenance and servicing owning older cars belt cam consumer advice
Renault Clio II 2001 - 2007

The timing chain on my 2013 Renault Clio has failed - should I push for Renault to cover the full repair costs?

I've owned my 2013 Renault Clio 0.9 since new and it has done 36,500 miles. The car has a full service history. The timing chain has failed and is currently...

Tags: consumer rights maintenance and servicing repairs owning goodwill timing chain consumer advice full service history foc
Renault Clio 2013 on

Why did the sunroof of my car shatter without warning?

Have you come across many cases of sunroofs shattering for no apparent reason whilst driving? This happened to my 2015 Renault Megane recently. The roof...

Tags: repairs potholes owning sunroof
Renault Megane 2008 - 2016

My insurer won't continue to insure my left hand drive car - what do I do now?

I have a Renault Clio, five door, LHD, diesel and the insurance is coming up for renewal. I phoned the insurance company to change some details and mentioned...

Tags: insurance owning imports consumer advice v5
Renault Clio 2013 on

Why has my Renault Captur depreciated by 55 per cent in a year?

I have a Renault Captur DCI automatic bought new in June 2016. It now has 9000 miles. The cost was £23,400, Renault advise a trade in value of £10,000....

Tags: depreciation suvs owning trade-in values consumer advice
Renault Captur 2013 on