March 2025
Another interesting video from High Peak Autos: Matt's 2009 S5 (that he'd already spent a fortune on), threw a CEL. Turned out the 4.2 V8 needed new timing chains and tensioners throwing at it, at just over 80K miles.
There's some good footage of the chain set-up (there are 5 chains in total!) and how it all fits together. The video is here, and I won't spoiler the cost of the work, but suffice to say, it fits the old saying that if you buy a used premium car, set aside a budget equal to the purchase price for servicing and repairs! Read more
I am trying to book my daughter's first driving test and discovering what a crazy system it is. On the DVSA site you wait a long time and then it throws you off. Can anyone recommend a company that provides an honest service for booking first driving tests? She has a driving instructor but he only does driving, not test booking. Thank you. Read more
Grandson was 17 in December.
Applied for a test in February and got a date - June IIRC...
I am on the lookout for a new car and need one with a bit more ample overall/passenger space in the rear as now have a 1 year old with a rear facing child seat which will be used up until 5/6 years of age, so the next 4 years at least.
Currently in my Nissan Almera hatchback, with the child seat present, the front passenger has little to no room, a passenger can fit although quite uncomfortably.... Read more
Unfortunately that won't be possible, as my gearbox has been acting up for over a year now was a ticking time bomb, 2 weeks ago lost my reverse so can no longer reverse.
What is the cot of a gearbox? When buying another car, there is always a risk. ...
Does anyone remember tax discs? Colour-coded by month, you’d tear round the perforations and insert them in a little PVC sleeve on the inside of your windscreen. It was a selling point if your new car had 11 months to run, but if your vehicle excise duty had expired (or was about to), you’d be straight down the post office to renew, lest a eagle-eyed PC noticed the wrong colour was showing.
Fast forward a few years, and everything moved online. Tax discs disappeared, together with parking permits and sundry other visual obstructions to the driver, with arguably a safety dividend. In common with other government agencies, the DVLA exhorted us all to go digital, paying our VED by direct debit, monthly or annually. I’ve paid mine this way for so long it has become automatic. Noticing periodic adjustments as tax rates fluctuated, I’d thought, that’s clever. Other government agencies, such as HMRC, had introduced systems such as Tell Us Once, whereby ‘joined-up government’ would update records in sync. Your passport photo would serve as your driving licence photo and so on, making everything more convenient and user-friendly.... Read more
Another here who finds no fault with DVLA. Car or licensing.
Is that a question or a statement? ;-)
In this thread:
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/199755/toyota-yaris-2015... Read more
Friend has a Vitara which seems to be bullet proof so hope your daughter's is as reliable - they do have a good reputation!
Regret that in Covid lockdown, they were shifting pre-reg SX4s for £11k. Wish I had bought a couple then!
I have had a 5 series for 7 years, it's a lovely car and is now 10 years old. I have a chronic health condition which affects my mobility and will need to get a car that is easier to get in and out of. I no longer do a lot of miles (due to the health condition) but do still make a trip to the Dordogne in France for a family holiday each year. I am looking for suggestions for a car that drives as nice as the 5 series, is very spacious and comfortable, and is quiet on the motorways. I am really not sure about getting an SUV, the ones that I think are going to be comfortable will cost a lot to own and are too big. Budget is £25k, do not want an EV but a PHEV would be fine. Any ideas?
Recently swapped from a mid size hatch to a Seat Ateca SUV - similar to VW, Skoda and Audi variants. Knees were starting to be a bit of an issue - much better seating position, easy to get in/out, feels spacious inside despite footprint similar to previous car.
Just driven down from Bristol to Malaga, albeit with a few stops. Absolutely no problems - although may not have the "luxury" trimmings of a 5 series. Personally not bothered - would rather trade almost new for older, higher mileage, debatable gizmos.
I bought a Honda civic 2010 plate last year and it’s just got a new MOT. However they have flagged up the dreaded rear subframe corrosion problem and I am in two minds about what to do.
I was hoping it would last me a few years and I really like the car.
I’m not sure whether I keep it or try and find something else.
My main criteria is reliability and similar space to the civic.
I’d rather a simple petrol and not a diesel.
I don’t want to spend the earth
Or do I try and scrub back the sub frame and treat it?
Or do I just keep it till it dies?
I have seen this www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412247517288?s...a
Any suggestions / advice welcome Read more
I must be lucky. I have been using a trusty Indy for decades and have a choice of a few other known good places. I use main dealers whilst any car is under warranty and possibly a couple of years afterwards. There are still a few jobs I still would aim for the main dealer even after the car is getting on a bit - especially if they have menu/reduced for older car pricing.
Quite, main dealer is always worth asking, my previous Landcruiser had the superb 3.4 V6 petrol engine, replacement of the cambelt was somewhat daunting (unlike the simple1 hour DIY job of the 3 litre Diesels) so i decided to get it replaced by a garage....
HJ is quoting 9 to10 thousand, part ex 7,700.
My car has 40,000 on the clock and runs like a dream, but even so...... Read more
Most of us here are keen on keeping good cars, and less keen on keeping car dealers in riches.
Chances are the deal you make to trade in for another car would net the dealer at least £2000+ in profits....
Hi everyone,
New member but been lurking a while.Ill start by saying I’m pretty clueless with cars so need a bit of guidance.Ive got around 8k to spend on a petrol hatch.im torn between 1.4 seat Leon fr (148bhp) or Audi a3.Which would any of you recommend? Thanks all Read more
im torn between 1.4 seat Leon fr (148bhp) or Audi a3.
Just to clarify - the a3 has the same engine? There were lower power versions of the 1.4 (as well as the 1.0 of course) which I read somewhere aren't as desirable.
I was lucky enough to have a 2015 a3 company car with that engine for 3 years, and we really liked it. The engine was at least as good as the 1.5 version (same power) we've now got in our 2018 Arona.
4th December a stone wall collapsed into a narrow street crushing or damaging 3 cars and blocking the residential street.
Daily Record from December... Read more
You know that.
We know that...
