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  Do new tyres for an electric car have less tread depth? 17 Jan 2024 (Ask HJ)
  I have just had my front tyres replaced and find the tread is only 6mm. The tyre company tell me that this is correct for an electric car. The tyres are...
• Astra H 1.6 petrol - Should I have my Repairs done? 8 May 2023 (Forum)
  I’ve never had a diesel so the thought buying one isn’t filling me with ease. I hear some right horror stories about dpfs etc. I do have a few mates who just buy old diesels and run them until they fail the mot or go wrong then spend another 1500 on another one. Doesn’t sound like a bad idea as long as you get a good one.
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  Will a manufacturer-fitted tow bar count as a modification? 29 Oct 2021 (Ask HJ)
  I have just ordered a new Toyota Yaris Cross for expected delivery early next year. We have ordered a factory fit tow bar/tow ball kit in order to carry...
• Honda CR-V - Petrol Estate or SUV 35mpg+ capable around £3k 23 Sep 2020 (Forum)
  Using this web's real mpg as a beacon I am thinking of the following models which I like Honda CR-V MK3 (2007-) 2.0 Vtec Honda Accord Estate MK4 (I think) (2008-) 2.0 Vtec Ford Mondeo Estate MK3 VAG line up with the 1.4 TSI or even the 1.8 TSI  Volvo V50 1.6 When browsing I also looked kindly at the Mazda 6 which adopted euro 6 in 2012 but I am worried about getting stuck with DPF issues and else. and they are more on the £4500 region and up The Astra Van also adopted Euro 6 with the 1.6 CDTI as early as 2013 but I don't like that much. I am comfortable doing most repairs and maintenance myself not requiring a lift  Would you add any models or considerations that I might have missed?
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  I have a Ford Kuga PHEV on order. Should I cancel due to the fire recall? 18 Aug 2020 (Ask HJ)
  Would you please give me your view about the news that Ford has suspended sales of this model due to fires affecting the High Voltage battery? I have one...
• Any - Electric vehicles - how often would you change? 12 May 2020 (Forum)
  Suspension wearing parts should be similar.  Trim and similar bits will be the same.  Tyres similar.  No EGR/DPF/DMF or moving parts in an ICE. There are stories of early Leafs doing 300k+ as taxis with minimal battery degradation and that will only improve as battery tech moves on.   Assuming that we’re still buying and owning cars in 20 odd years (rather than renting them/sharing them as and when needed), I think my frequency of changing cars will only decrease.
• Time to update? 29 Aug 2019 (Forum)
  The rear brakes require stripping and cleaning every 6mths too. I’m also acutely aware of the potential DPF and EGR worries on these engines especially now that it’s doing mostly local running. It has been good value with an approximate part-ex value of £4K or nearer £4.5k if I can be bothered to sell it myself it has lost just over £3k in 3 years and averaged 55mpg.
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  What sporty small car do you suggest for around £10k? 3 Jul 2019 (Ask HJ)
  My wife has a Skoda FabIa Monte Carlo 1.2 TSI. She wants to hand it back and purchase something more sporty for around £10K. Her annual mileage is around...
• BMW 3 Series F31 - Standard Diesel Vs Premium Diesel (Tescos Version) 29 Apr 2019 (Forum)
    I do long runs every week (Anglesey and back around 145miles each way with mainly A roads and about 30ish miles of dual carriageway).  Having monitored the dpf cycle, i managed to get 315 miles before it regenerated.  On my next fill up, I decided to try the tesco version of the Vpower diesel to see if this makes any difference (with hybrogen).
• Mazda 6 - 2018 facelift diesel reliability 3 Aug 2018 (Forum)
  I have read that the Mazda diesel engines are not so reliable. Having problems such as cam chain snapping off, DPF issues, clogged oil strainer, oil dilution and a few more. The reason why I still contemplate the diesel engine is, that the 2.5 seems rather low on torque. I have driven cars low on torque before, namely the 1.3 99ps Honda Jazz.
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  When buying a used car, whats more important - mileage or number of previous owners? 14 Feb 2018 (Ask HJ)
  We’re looking to buy a used Honda CR-V for around £7000. What’s more important, miles on the clock or number of previous owners?
• High mileage driver looking for next (used) car 17 Jun 2017 (Forum)
  My '07 BMW 525d 3.0 touring has done 171k and has cost me a lot of money in the last year, with new dual mass flywheel, clutch & crankshaft pulley. It had a replacement DPF at 120k a couple of years ago. I bought it 5 yrs ago with 85k on the clock. I love the car, and it still goes like a train (300 miles yesterday) and returns about 38mpg. It is fast, comfortable, practical and drives like a dream.
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  A positive outcome after the Volkswagen emissions fix caused problems to my car 3 May 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I wrote to you in March about my 2010 Golf 2.0 TDI which had frequent problems after the emissions upgrade. I thought I would update you that Volkswagen...
• Mazda 6 - Used Mazda 6 diesel - talk me out of it 5 Nov 2015 (Forum)
  Now there is a tendency for forums to be full of diaster stories because people who've had bad experiences are more motiavted to shout about it, but still, it makes you think. There's no chance the common M6 diesel fault (dpf?) had been fixed in the 2012 model? Is it worth considering, or should I stick to petrol (or a different car altogether)? To be honest day to day use may well be more suited to petrol - occasional long trips with kids and lots of kit, much more frequent shorter ones.
• Volvo C30 - Car buying lack of thought /knowledge 16 Apr 2015 (Forum)
   For my motoring, mileage and type, diesel was not suitable. I have had to pay for a new DPF.  When the clutch went the cost was increased for having to pay for a dual mass flywheel.  There have been other costs as well which I had not anticipated. When back at the dealer/ garage I had said about looking for a four door petrol automatic.
• Vauxhall Zafira B 1.9CDTI (2010) - Starnge Oil Levels 17 Sep 2014 (Forum)
  If I check the oil when hot it is just on the max mark of the dipstick. I was concerned it may be the DPF problem dumping diesel back in so I have spoken to a local garage who I know well. They suggested draining the oil and re-filling to the correct level  (which they did free of charge I might add so no incentive for them to mis-advise me).
• Ford C-MAX 1600 TDCi - Ford 1600 TDCi diesel performance issue 6 Apr 2013 (Forum)
  It does this with an overboost, which increases peak torque from 270 Nm to 285 Nm for up to 15 seconds""   It smacks to me of being a fuel supply issue / software issue. Its not a blocked DPF cat or mass airflow meter.   Needless to say the main dealers are not very interested or seemingly knowledgeable. To them the car runs OK and as long as it is driveable they are happy to see the car leave the garage.
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  Should we trade in our 100,000-mile Volkswagen Golf? 29 Sep 2012 (Ask HJ)
  We own a 2004 Volkswagen Golf 1.9TDI automatic that has now done almost 100,000 miles. So far it has been relatively trouble-free, although it recently...
• The neurotic dipstick 2 Apr 2010 (Forum)
  Until a couple of drops of oil drop off the crankshaft webs.. The worry, is it overfull? But what if......if  it`s one of THOSE, with the DPF . In that case, the engineering of the century - elegant and sophisticated - developed with the customer and in mind - kicks in. Torrents of Derv slosh down on piston rings designed to scrape fluid down into the sump.
• Stiff upper lip car stories - free pink gin 9 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  Horrible indeed to British mentality if we all suddenly said ` stuff the car - it`s just an object - I have this SPOT THAT WON`T GO AWAY. Surely more concern than a stone chip? Or a heart attack (or other) over the motors DPF? Anyway, now that you are in the mood (hopefully) do you know any stories of motoring that demonstrate the stiff upper lip of the British motorist? ( I know you just had a mental image of your Uncle Bert wearing a knotted hanky on his head - not a pith helmet - but that`s OK) Over to you - and all the best.