What has Honest John been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [My BMW is being recalled and the replacement car isn't a suitable replacement - what do you advise I do?]( Posted by on 18 April, 2019 My diesel BMW 5 Series Touring has a recall. When booking I was told (verbally) that the replacement part was in stock and that an X2 was available for loan - so I could load my fishing tackle. On taking the car in I have been informed that it could be 8 weeks as the part is not in stock and then I learn the loan car is not an X2, is not suitable for purpose and only available for one day. Then I find out that the rental will be provided if the part needs replacement but there is no choice with the vehicle. This means I might not be able to go fishing for up to two months. I really feel for the poor chap who had to deal with me because this seems to be a major issue. However, BMW is failing big time and letting their dealers down. Hearing about the dealer’s problems does not help, although I can sympathise. I could sign a disclaimer and have my car but suspect my insurance would become invalid. Apart from my confidence in BMW taking a massive hit, do you have any advice to offer? Of course, if my EGR is found to be okay, the problem goes away. [Read more →]( [I car reversed off a drive into me as I was carrying out a three-point turn - who is at fault?]( Posted by on 18 April, 2019 I was doing a three-point turn at the bottom of a cul de sac and as I clicked out of reverse to go forward, a car reversed off their drive into me. They are claiming we were both in reverse for a 50/50 claim as that's their best option. I'm saying they are at fault for reversing into the road when it was not safe to do so. My front dash cam you can hear me click out of gear before the crash, but shows me still moving slowly back. [Read more →]( [Are disabled drivers exempt from paying the higher rate of VED on cars costing over £40,000?]( Posted by on 18 April, 2019 A relative of mine has just been awarded the enhanced mobility on Personal Independence Payment. The car that he wants to buy (a Discovery Sport) isn’t available on the Motability scheme and he prefers to buy his own car anyway. Firstly is he exempt from paying the first year VED (£855) included in the list price of the car? And secondly, because the list price of the car exceeds £40,000 is he exempt from paying the higher VED which is around £450 per year? [Read more →]( [What can I use to restore and protect the hood on my convertible?]( Posted by on 18 April, 2019 My 2007 Jaguar XKR soft-top is in need of some TLC. The car is kept outside on my drive and the fabric is beginning to look a bit tired with some discolouration in places. The fabric is a light tan colour and so will tend to show markings. Is there a product I can use to clean and maintain it or do I need to take it to a specialist? [Read more →]( [A friend and I have decided to drive to Italy - what used car would you suggest for a road trip?]( Posted by on 17 April, 2019 A friend and I have decided to drive down to Italy and meet our wives (they are flying down) for a weeks holiday. We thought we would take in the Nurburgring for a lap or two. We need to buy a car to get us there and we had set a budget of around £10k. We fancied several cars such as Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Subaru WRX, Octavia vRS or even a Mercedes S500. A dealer friend offered us a one owner 2001 Golf VR6 with a genuine 80,000 miles for around £4K. The car has obviously been looked after with a full service history complete with receipts. We have contacted the previous owner and he told us that the car had no known faults. We have spotted that the air con is not working and our dealer said he will repair it. I know there are no guarantees but would an older car such as this be okay for such a long journey around 1000 miles each way? We plan to take 3 days travelling each way. What do you think is our best strategy? [Read more →]( [What should I replace my Land Rover Freelander 2 with?]( Posted by on 17 April, 2019 I currently have a 9-year-old Freelander 2 which limits the downhill speed in bad winter weather to about 3 mph down a narrow private country hill road where I live. I am considering replacing the Freelander but I don't really want to spend £35,000 on its current replacement. Can you suggest any cars that have a downhill limiter suitable for a 6'1" driver? I'd prefer new or nearly new I would keep the vehicle for quite a while. [Read more →]( [I want to reduce the cost of my motoring - what electric car should I choose?]( Posted by on 17 April, 2019 I would like to swap my 15-plate BMW 1 Series M Sport for an electric car to do the school run, which is a 20-mile round trip, and occasionally a 65-mile run to the airport. On the assumption there is a charging point at the airport or office and that I can use my solar panels at home, what would be a good choice of EV? I would like to buy on a monthly PCP arrangement. My main motivator is reducing the total cost of motoring. [Read more →]( [Which city car suits very low mileage use?]( Posted by on 17 April, 2019 Which city car suits very low mileage use? [Read more →]( [What's the best way to clean suede car seats?]( Posted by on 17 April, 2019 My son has an Audi Q7 with half leather seats. What is the best way and the best products to use to clean the suede type upholstery in the middle of the seats? [Read more →]( [My car doesn't meet the Ultra Low Emissions Zone standards - what car do you recommend I buy to tow a 1420kg caravan?]( Posted by on 17 April, 2019 I live in London within a mile of the proposed new extended boundary of the South/North Circular for the ULEZ, due to start in October 2021. I drive a 2013 Kia Sorento CRDi, which I need to tow my caravan (1420kg). As my Kia does not conform to the Euro 6 Emission standards, I need to change it to a car that does. However, if the goalposts change and even more stringent diesel standards are introduced, I'll be back to square one and out of pocket again. Could you perhaps suggest a suitable petrol engine car that will tow my van comfortably (preferably an automatic) and be within a budget of around £20k. Or will a newer diesel meet the current standards? [Read more →]( [Do insurers charge higher premiums if a car is leased rather than owned?]( Posted by on 16 April, 2019 Do motor insurers charge higher premiums if a car is leased rather than owned by the insured? [Read more →]( [I unwittingly bought a stolen car - how can I find out who the insurer was when it was written off?]( Posted by on 16 April, 2019 I fell victim of a car cloning scam and now the police have seized my car. How can I find who was the insurer that paid the legitimate owner off when it was declared stolen so I can discuss the possibility of a settlement in order to keep the car? The car was stolen a while back so shows as not insured in the insurance records. [Read more →]( [I took out car insurance two months ago but my car still shows as uninsured - have I been the victim of a fake insurance firm?]( Posted by on 16 April, 2019 I took out an insurance policy two months ago. Until today, my car is still not showing as insured on the MID website. The insurance company are no longer accepting any calls. It's like they have vanished. Please advise if and how I may complain. Would I be able to get my £450 deposit and last two £75 instalments back as well? I'm 22 years old, I just passed my test four months ago and this is my very first car. [Read more →]( [Are there any dash camera apps you'd recommend?]( Posted by on 16 April, 2019 I saw an advert for a dash camera app for my iPhone. Are any of dash cam apps worth getting and would they be as efficient as a proper dash cam? [Read more →]( [If I buy a small van that runs on LPG - will I be able to drive it around Europe?]( Posted by on 16 April, 2019 I am interested in buying a small camper (Transit size). I am concerned about new diesel regulations but I want to be able to tour Europe. What base model would you advise? Can you get small vans run on LPG? [Read more →]( [My sons insurance was cancelled - for how long will this affect his future insurance costs?]( Posted by on 15 April, 2019 My son had his insurance cancelled after eight months due to three telematics warnings from his insurance company. They are saying that they can still insure him, albeit with a hike in price by £1300. Having looked online for other quotes, his current quote, while being high, is actually cheap in comparison. While he knows he is in the wrong and is annoyed over ending up in this situation. how long is it before the insurance will become affordable again? Convictions and claims seem to have a five-year shelf life but cancellation appears opened ended which seems somewhat odd. [Read more →]( [What's the best app to find public charging points for electric cars?]( Posted by on 15 April, 2019 What apps do I need for a holiday trip around the south coast and West Country with my new e-Golf? [Read more →]( [Which electric car polisher would you recommend?]( Posted by on 15 April, 2019 Can you recommend an electric car polisher for home use, please? [Read more →]( [What's the best value for money car to do 36,000 miles per year?]( Posted by on 15 April, 2019 I'm starting a new job and will travel 120 miles round trip each day, about half motorway and half A/B roads. I don't know if it'd be better to buy new, take out a finance deal or buy a high mileage secondhand vehicle as I will do well over 36,000 miles a year. I'm open-minded about what to buy, but I don't know whether to go petrol or diesel. I do like a comfy ride though as I can suffer from a bad back and, being a Yorkshireman, I always want the best value for money. [Read more →]( [What hybrid car would you recommend?]( Posted by on 15 April, 2019 We are thinking of buying a hybrid car for up to £20,000. Which would you go for and why? 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