Ask Honest John

My insurer won't provide enough money for full repairs on my damaged car - what do I do?

I have a heavily modified 2012 Volkswagen Golf with all modifications declared to my insurer. In February 2018 I had an accident, which was my fault. It left a nice dent in the nearside wing and cracked...

Which insurer offers the cheapest insurance for new drivers?

Where can I get the cheapest insurance? I'm struggling to get a Volkswagen Golf insured for less than £200 per month.

I was mis-sold a pre-registered car, can I claim for the decrease in the vehicle's value?

I bought a new Volkswagen Golf in October 2017 for my daughter. It cost £17,613 from an online broker and came with a written contract for a new car with first registration in my daughter's name. However,...

Can you suggest a van-based car that can be used to transport small motorbikes?

I presently have a 2003 Citroen Berlingo. I transport small, classic motorbikes in it by folding the front passenger seat forward. I can then have a motorbike front wheel on the flat seat back and have...

My new car was faulty, but is now apparently fixed - should I keep it or reject it?

I had a new Volkswagen Golf delivered on 11 April with 120 miles on it. Four hours later with 200 miles on it, the car went into limp mode. It was taken to a Volkswagen main dealer and I was supplied with...

Does the water pump need changed with the timing belt?

My 2013 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI needs needs a new timing belt this year. Should the water pump be done at the same time? My local garage has told me the the water pump isn’t driven by the timing belt....

I need a petrol van for working in London - what do you recommend?

I'm builder working in London. I have a 17 year old Volkswagen Transporter pickup that I use, but - due to living in Islington and the T Charge - I need to replace it. I cannot seem to find a good Ford...

The dealer who sold me a vehicle with a broken engine won't replace it - what are my options?

I bought a 2011 Volkswagen Caravelle with the 180PS engine 10 weeks ago. Since owning, it has been burning oil at an alarming rate - way higher than Volkswagen consider acceptable. Fuel consumption has...

Should I get a pre-reg car inspected by a mechanic before I buy it?

I'm buying a pre-registered Volkswagen Up (30 miles covered and registered January 2018) from a Volkswagen franchised dealer. Is it advisable to have an independent mechanic check it over?

Is it worth paying more for protected No Claims?

Is it worth paying a higher insurance premium on my Volkswagen Up to protect 15 years of No Claims Discount?