What has Honest John been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [What reasonably-priced battery charger do you recommend?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2020 What's a reasonably-priced battery charger for a Ford Kuga? I'm looking for one as a back-up during the current Covid-19 lockdown where the use of cars is restricted. [Read more →]( [Can someone park over a dropped kerb outside their own house?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2020 Is it an offence to park over a dropped kerb? My neighbours across the road say they are having the kerb lowered so they are guaranteed a parking spot because they have no driveway. They are under the impression that it's there private parking spot when they've paid to have the curb dropped. [Read more →]( [Can you suggest a reliable, economical and relatively cheap car for a young driver?]( Posted by on 9 April, 2020 I'm a 23-year-old medical student going on hospital placements. I want to buy a car that'll keep me in good stead for the next four years. I'd like to travel home at least once a month (about 150 miles one way) and go to placements that are outside the city I'm living in so has to be good on the motorway but also city driving. I'd prefer a five-door for ease. I'm on a tight budget for the next two years so has to be reliable, economical and cheap to maintain/fix. My budget is between £3500-£4000. Could you give me a list of cars that I should consider buying? [Read more →]( [Will there be gigantic new car discounts post coronavirus lockdown?]( Posted by on 8 April, 2020 Sales of some models in one car manufacturer's range are down 90 per cent. France has today gone into recession. Am I naïve or realistic in thinking that all this means that once lockdown is over, new car discounts will be unprecedentedly generous? Might sellers be 'content' to even sell at a loss for a few weeks? Surely dealers will virtually be begging to shift cars presently gathering rust and dust at docksides and dealer compounds? Correct? [Read more →]( [What's the best convertible, in your opinion?]( Posted by on 8 April, 2020 I'm looking for a convertible for a second car. I already own a 2009 Mazda 2, which is nippy enough for town but lacks acceleration for overtaking and for motorways. My dad likes the Mercedes-Benz SLK two seater convertible, but I'm not sold. I would prefer something like a Z4. Please let me know what your top choice would be. [Read more →]( [Why does my car's history show two MoT tests every year?]( Posted by on 8 April, 2020 I'm looking at buying a car but the DVLA check shows the car as having two MoT tests every year. Could this car be cloned or is there another explanation? [Read more →]( [What are the pros and cons of leasing a car?]( Posted by on 8 April, 2020 I'm considering leasing a Ford Mustang and wish to understand the pros and cons of this idea. [Read more →]( [How often should a trickle charger be used on a car that's only used once weekly?]( Posted by on 8 April, 2020 I only use my car once a week. How often should I be charging the battery? [Read more →]( [Do I need to disconnect a car's battery to charge it?]( Posted by on 8 April, 2020 I have a 2017 Honda HR-V. Do I need to disconnect the battery to trickle charge? [Read more →]( [Should leave my car running on my drive to keep the battery charged?]( Posted by on 8 April, 2020 I haven't used my 2018 Ford Fiesta for three weeks now and probably won't be using it for a few weeks more. Should I start it up on my drive and leave the engine running to keep the battery charged? [Read more →]( [Can I drive with my convertible's roof down during the lockdown?]( Posted by on 7 April, 2020 I know it is a really trivial question, but I have to use my Mazda MX-5 for essential journeys and I was wondering if the coronavirus-related regulations prohibit me driving with the top down? [Read more →]( [I don't want to take my car for a service due to coronavirus - will this invalidate the warranty?]( Posted by on 7 April, 2020 I have my third year service scheduled for 9 April. This is to coincide with MoT and approaching end of warranty (24 April). The car is a Fiat and is booked in at service centre 15 miles away. They have ben in contact today to confirm I am attending. In light of the coronavirus situation, I don't want to travel. Am I within my rights to get this postponed and still maintain the warranty? [Read more →]( [The factory that was building my ordered car has closed. Where do I stand with the dealer?]( Posted by on 7 April, 2020 I ordered a new Volvo XC40, which was due to be built on 4 April and delivered to the dealer around 16 April. The factory in Belgium were it is being built is closed, so how do I stand with regards to the agreement with the supplying dealer? I am concerned that the price we agreed for the part exchange will not be valid. [Read more →]( [Can I drive my car without tax during the coronavirus outbreak?]( Posted by on 7 April, 2020 I have March 1979 registered car, which became a historic vehicle this year. Tax ran out 31 March 2020. Followed instructions on DVLA website and took relevant documents to the post office, which said it could not deal with it. So I sent documents with covering letter to DVLA on 12 March. I've not had any reply. I checked their website today and note that they are not dealing with paper applications until further notice. The car is insured and MoT'd, so can I legally use it? DVLA online shows tax as expired. [Read more →]( [Can I terminate a PCP early?]( Posted by on 7 April, 2020 I have a Smart EQ ForFour electric car which I leased Feb 2019. The lease runs for three years. I'm a year in and I’d like to hand the car back. I have only covered 1400 miles in the last 12 months. It is nothing to do with Coronavirus. [Read more →]( [Can you suggest a small estate car for a family of four?]( Posted by on 6 April, 2020 Is the Skoda Fabia Estate 1.0 suitable for a family of four holidaying with fully loaded and perhaps a roof box, plus bikes on the back? Apart from holiday trips, it would seem to be a good choice for a family with enough space in the boot without going to a larger Estate. I just can't imagine cruising on French motorways in a 1.0-litre petrol with a top box and bikes. I do not want a diesel because the car will likely do mainly short journeys, but I'm not ready to go down the hybrid route either. Are there any alternative Fabia-sized estates worthy of consideration? Presently on my second Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which is great for holidays but at other times seems unnecessarily big. [Read more →]( [Will running the engine of my car once a week help prevent battery depletion?]( Posted by on 6 April, 2020 I have SORN'd my Jaguar F-Pace during the Coronavirus pandemic. Besides turning the engine over once a week, what else can I do to ensure the efficiency of the vehicle? [Read more →]( [Does the coronavirus MoT extension allow me to tax my vehicle without an MoT?]( Posted by on 6 April, 2020 My motorcycle (Honda CBR600) is currently insured but on SORN. I wish to put the machine (excellent condition, low mileage) back on the road. Do the new MoT rules allow me to tax it without an MoT? Also, do I fall under the new 6 month vacation where I do not need an MoT for 6 months? [Read more →]( [We've delayed out charging point installation due to Coronavirus. Will we get a reduced grant if the work isn't done by May?]( Posted by on 6 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 →]( [Is there a known fault with the engines on 1-litre Ford Fiestas?]( Posted by on 6 April, 2020 We have a 2016 1-litre Ford Fiesta. A red engine light came on, so we booked a service at Halfords. They stated that there's an internal sensor that is not accessible and the engine is no good so would need to be replaced. We rang a reputable garage who told us that this is a common complaint and they already have a similar car in their workshop. They've been waiting nine weeks for Ford to answer. Is this a genuine fault. Any advice on what we should do next? [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