What has Honest John been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [Can I drive my car with warning lights on if the garages are closed?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 I have a Hyundai ix20. I have just noticed that the ABS warning light and the ESP lights have come on. I have checked the fuses and they are fine. As they are amber warnings, can I assume that it i till safe to drive on dry roads - with extra care - as I understand that I can't take it to the Hyundai garage? [Read more →]( [If I replace the engine of a vehicle, can I set the odometer to zero?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 I've just fitted a brand new crate engine to my Ford Explorer that I'm restoring. It has 126,000 miles on it, but can I zero the clock because the engine has done no miles yet? [Read more →]( [Is premium petrol worth the extra?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 I know you are an advocate of premium petrol so I have been using Shell V-power. Are there any others which are just as good? [Read more →]( [Many of us are not using our cars during the pandemic - what do we do to keep our cars working properly?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 So many of us are not using our cars during the pandemic. What advice can you give us? Are we allowed to go for a 20-mile drive to keep things in motion? And when should we do this, if allowed? If not allowed, what do we do? [Read more →]( [Will a disconnected battery cause me to lose the radio code?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 I own a 2011 Skoda Roomster and would like to know if disconnecting the car battery will mean I lose the radio security code. [Read more →]( [We've delayed out charging point installation due to Coronavirus. Will we get la reduced grant if the work isn't done by May?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 The delivery of our new Tesla has been delayed, so we postponed the installation of the home charging point. We reckon it reduces the risk of Coronavirus to avoid having workers over right now. However, we have been told that the grant will be reduced from £500 to £350 if this is not completed by the end of May. Have you heard of this? [Read more →]( [Can trickle chargers be used with stop-start engines?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 Due to the coronavirus, I want to ensure that my car battery stays charged. The advice seems to be to use a trickle charger. I've noticed that many trickle chargers are not suitable for stop-start engines. If this is correct, what sort of charger would you recommend? [Read more →]( [Is the MOT extension only applicable to people vulnerable or self-isolating?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 I have heard conflicting information on MOTs in that the six-month exemption only applies to those people with Coronavirus or those self-isolating. I am not in that category and I had a service and MOT already booked for 20 April so should I still take my car (assuming the garage will still be open)? [Read more →]( [Can trickle chargers be used on hybrids?]( Posted by on 3 April, 2020 Can a trickle charger be used with cars that don't have a separate 12-volt battery? [Read more →]( [Can I end my lease early due to coronavirus?]( Posted by on 2 April, 2020 Can I return my car due to the coronavirus outbreak? I can't afford the car now. I have about 9 months left till the midway point of the finance agreement. [Read more →]( [Can I appeal an unfair PCN?]( Posted by on 2 April, 2020 I received a parking charge notice after parking at a sporting goods shop. I was parked for 14 minutes as the store didn't have what I wanted. The signs say you get 1 hour 30 minutes if using the store. Should I pay? This seems extremely unfair and, in my opinion, illegal. [Read more →]( [Can I cancel my purchase for a vehicle I've already agreed to buy?]( Posted by on 2 April, 2020 I’ve put a £6000 deposit down on a £72,000 motorhome from a reputable UK dealer. It’s a 2011 model. However, I’ve decided I don’t want to proceed with the purchase. Some customisations have been done for me like Wifi, LPG gas, TV etc. Probably less than £6000 in extras. Can I cancel? If so, is it reasonable that I pay for some of the customisations? If the dealer resells it for less than agreed with me due to the lack of buyers because of Coronavirus, am I liable for that loss too? [Read more →]( [Can I trickle charge my car?]( Posted by on 2 April, 2020 With the enforced lay-up of my 2018 Jaguar XF, can I use a C-TEK MVS 5-C trickle charger on my car? If so, where is the best place to connect it? [Read more →]( [What are you advising car owners to do with their now-static cars to maintain efficiency?]( Posted by on 2 April, 2020 I am self-isolating and, given the Government's restrictions on unnecessary driving, what are you advising car owners to do with their now-static cars to maintain efficiency? [Read more →]( [Will insurance companies pay out if I have an accident while driving with no MoT?]( Posted by on 1 April, 2020 Will insurance companies pay out if I have an accident while driving with no MoT during this extension period? Are the police going to check vehicles to see if they're roadworthy? [Read more →]( [How do I renew my road tax without an MoT?]( Posted by on 1 April, 2020 Now we can no longer get an MoT, how can we renew our road tax? [Read more →]( [Can I go for a drive as long as I don't leave my car?]( Posted by on 1 April, 2020 Is there anything I can do to make sure my car runs fine if I do not use it over the next few weeks? It was reported in the newspaper last week that it was okay to go for a drive as long as you do not leave the vehicle. [Read more →]( [How can I prevent my car's DPF clogging while it’s limited to short journeys during the lockdown?]( Posted by on 1 April, 2020 My 2019 Range Rover will be parked up for the duration of the coronavirus lockdown, with the exception of a weekly 3-mile supermarket trip. It’s already has DPF replaced after 312 miles. How can I prevent further clogging while it’s limited to short journeys? [Read more →]( [Is it true that my SEAT can't be trickle charged due to specialised battery tech?]( Posted by on 31 March, 2020 We own a SEAT Arona FR auto and we need to self isolate as we are in a high risk group so won't be driving the car for the next 3 weeks. We wish to put the battery on trickle charge. We have a C-TEK charger (recommended by you). I wanted to ensure I didn't have to disconnect anything so I read the car's manual. It says, "It should be charged by a specialised workshop due to using battery specialised technology. I've never heard such tosh but I thought I should check with you. [Read more →]( [Can I trickle charge a hybrid car?]( Posted by on 31 March, 2020 You recommend trickle charging on a hybrid during self-isolation. We've got a Kia Niro, but I couldn't find visible battery terminals. Any idea where they are? [Read more →]( You received this email because you signed up to our mailing list. If you’re not interested in receiving our newsletter any more, you can: [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( Honestjohn.co.uk 5 New Street Square London United Kingdom EC4A 3TW