What has Honest John been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [I live in Northern Ireland - after we leave the EU, will my UK insurance be valid if I drive over the border?]( Posted by on 13 April, 2018 I currently live in Northern Ireland and I'm covered by GreenFlag. After we leave the EU, if I drive over the border to Eire, will I technically be in Europe? If you follow this logic, will I be covered by my UK insurance? If I need GreenFlag, can I use them in the south of Ireland? [Read more →]( [I've bought a Category C write off, is there a way to check the damage history?]( Posted by on 13 April, 2018 I've bought a Category C write off. Is there a way to check how much damage was actually done? [Read more →]( [How do we fix our blocked DPF?]( Posted by on 13 April, 2018 Our car's DPF is blocked. I've have tried regenerating it by running it down the motorway, but it's had no effect. Is there anything else I can do? [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a car that can fit two child seats and an adult in the back?]( Posted by on 13 April, 2018 I'm looking for a car that has three full size seats in the back. I need to be able to fit an adult in the middle rear seat, between two children's car seats. My budget is only small (not helpful I know) - between £1000 - £1200. My daughter is two years old and in a rear facing Joie Steadi. The baby isn't born yet. She will possibly go in our old Joie Gemm, or if the new car seat has isofix, we may buy a new isofix seat. [Read more →]( [Is converting an automatic gearbox to manual wise?]( Posted by on 13 April, 2018 I have a 1989 Jaguar XJS automatic. I'm considering converting it to a five-speed manual using a kit purchased from a reputable company. My car is still standard and has not been modified or restored in any way. I'm wondering if the conversion will affect the long term market value. [Read more →]( [Can I drive a Spanish registered car in the UK?]( Posted by on 13 April, 2018 I'm a UK resident, but I was stopped by police while driving my Spanish registered, right hand drive car. They said UK residents are not allowed to drive foreign registered cars in the UK. They also said that the foreign insurance is not valid. I have full cover from Linea Directa and a green card. They spoke to DVLA and some other insurance authorities, as well as the Lenea Directa in Spain, who assured that I'm covered in any European country. I bring the Spanish registered car back to UK from time to time. I've been doing this for the last 10 years. The police also spoke to Direct Line as well. From the conversation I heard, none of the agents they spoke to could not confirm that I am committing a crime. Eventually they let me off after spending more than an hour in the back of the police car. They said not to drive on UK roads again. However, I was planing to stay for another two weeks. What is my legal position? [Read more →]( [Water is leaking through a windscreen replacement - is the dealer liable for selling me a faulty car?]( Posted by on 13 April, 2018 I have a 2012 Vauxhall Insignia. I noticed dampness in the drivers footwell so I took it to a Vauxhall dealership under warranty. After a long investigation, they came to the conclusion that it was an aftermarket windscreen leaking. This is not covered under warranty and I was charged for investigation work. I tried to explain that the car was sold to me by them with the replacement windscreen. Vauxhall says there is nothing they can do and I will have to pay for replacement or a re-seal. Is there anything I can do to say they are liable? I have owned the car now for two years. [Read more →]( [Petrol was removed from my car while at a garage - what can I do?]( Posted by on 12 April, 2018 I recently had an accident and my car went to a garage for repairs. I made sure a asked for a copy of the document that showed my car with no other damage and with 3/4 of a tank of petrol. When I collected the car, it wasn't repaired correctly and they had taken out the petrol. I took pictures and sent them to the garage. I also had the mileage and my car had only done 15 miles since leaving my house. I know the average person can not remove petrol from new cars, but I was told by a mechanic that garages can. My insurer got annoyed when I said this and told me it cannot be done. My car is still not repaired it's been two months. [Read more →]( [Can you be penalised for stopping in a yellow hatched box if you intend to turn right?]( Posted by on 12 April, 2018 My daughter received a penalty notice from TFL for stopping in a yellow hatched box. The photograph evidence, which is a very selective video extract, shows the rear half of her Nissan Micra in the box. There are two factors, which have been appealed (and rejected by TFL). She was turning right and when she entered the box her exit was clear, but while turning right the vehicle behind overtook and cut in front of her, blocking her exit from the box. The Highway Code states, 'You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right'. TFL quoted the highway code, but only the first sentence. Please could you give your opinion on the correct position regarding my daughter's appeal of this decision. [Read more →]( [Will the BMW Z3 become a classic?]( Posted by on 12 April, 2018 Do you think the 2.0-litre, six-cylinder BMW Z3 will become a classic? I have 2000 Z3 with 76,000 miles on it. It needs some work and I'd like to evaluate whether it's worth investing in it if it has the potential to become a classic car. [Read more →]( [Can you suggest a van-based car that can be used to transport small motorbikes?]( Posted by on 11 April, 2018 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 enough length in the rear of the van for other classic motorbikes. Last year, I purchased a 2015 Yamaha SR400 and it just fit in my van. I'm now looking for a petrol car as a replacement. I want to have a vehicle where the passenger seat folds forwards and that the rear seats can be removed directly behind the passenger seat. Is there anything that suits my needs that isn't a van? [Read more →]( [I want my cracked windscreen repaired by a local fitter - why won't my insurer allow this?]( Posted by on 10 April, 2018 My car suffered a cracked windscreen. I would prefer to have the replacement screen installed by a local fitter that I've known for years, but I'm finding this impossible. LV continually direct me to their own fitting company. I'm unable to obtain the correct information from LV to use my own fitter. I have telephoned on two occasions and I have emailed twice (via their own website) without the courtesy of a reply. What should I do? [Read more →]( [We only do trips of 10 miles at a time - should we avoid buying a diesel car?]( Posted by on 10 April, 2018 Our 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee is tired and we fancy a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class 3.0. We're wary of diesels because we only do trips of about 10 miles. Should we be wary? If so, what's a good petrol alternative? [Read more →]( [Do I have a right to keep my Cat N car?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2018 My car was hit on the road outside recently. The driver got out and ran off, but he was insured so the police have taken his car until he reappears. The insurance assessor said the repair quote is £3800, which is the same figure as my insurer originally told me they'd offer me for the car. I've been told it's going to be a Category N as there is no structural damage, but I said I was interested in buying the car back because I've done a lot of work and spent a lot of money on the car. I've had a couple of mechanic friends round and both said it’s repairable (new rear axle and wheel will be required and there's some scratches to the paintwork). I could get the same model for the money they’ve offered, but I know what work has been done on mine. The insurance company will apparently be in touch to arrange removal of the car even though I said I would be interested in repairing it myself. The assessor said my insurer may may not let me because it’s had axle damage though. Do I have a right to keep my car? [Read more →]( [My car was stolen using a car key stolen from my house - why was this settled as an at fault claim?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2018 We were burgled at Christmas and our car was stolen using my wife's car key. This has now been settled, but it's been registered as an at fault claim. How is the theft of a locked, alarmed and secured vehicle during a break in from a locked and alarmed home my fault? How should I challenge this? [Read more →]( [Is alloy wheel insurance worth paying for?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2018 I'm getting an Audi TT soon. Is alloy wheel insurance worth £350 over three years? [Read more →]( [My insurance was cancelled because my black box wrongly recorded me speeding - what should I do?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2018 I had a black box on my old car, but I recently went and got a newer car on finance. I used my old car as part of the deposit and told my insurance company. They told me to remove the black box, wrap it in a tea towel and place in the glove box. I did that, and now my insurance is cancelled because I was wrongly registered as speeding by my black box. [Read more →]( [Will my insurance go down if I garage my car overnight?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2018 There are 35 houses in my neighbourhood with garages. I'm the only one that garages my car overnight. I read somewhere that by keeping you car in a locked garage the insurance premium would be reduced. Is this true? [Read more →]( [What is the whining noise I hear when I brake?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2018 I hear a random whine coming from the rear of my 2006 Honda CR-V about once every journey. It lasts about 10 minutes and then goes away. When brakes are applied, it starts and then comes back when released. It's less audible as the car slows down, and dropping the clutch makes no difference. The brake pads look even and sliders are free. Could it be the pads sticking in the callipers or vibrating onto the disc? [Read more →]( [Is Shell fuel really that much better than supermarket fuel?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2018 I've always used Shell V Plus diesel in my Range Rover TDV8, with 160,000 miles on it. My neighbour said it was a waste of money, so I switched to Asda diesel. My car now has worse fuel economy and runs rougher. Is it just my imagination or is Shell V Plus really that much better than supermarket fuel? [Read more →]( You are receiving this email because Honest Insights is a publication produced by HonestJohn.co.uk with your requirements and specifications in mind. It provides in depth site analysis comparative with wider industry trends. [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( HonestJohn.co.uk Ltd Unit 1 Eaglethorpe Barns Warmington Peterborough PE8 6TJ