What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [What's the best SUV under £20,000?]( Posted by on 5 June, 2020 I'm looking for an SUV for under £20,000. I expect to have it for up to 10 years. Much of my driving is now short drives so it needs to be petrol. What's your advice? [Read more →]( [Can you suggest a good value, reliable SUV?]( Posted by on 5 June, 2020 I'm considering changing my Audi A4 and looking for an SUV or estate car that's good value and reliable. I like the Skoda Karoq, however, I have concerns about reliability issues listed on your site. My budget is about £25,000 and I'm looking to buy low milage, used car with a good warranty. Any suggestion would be gratefully accepted. Many thanks. [Read more →]( [When will the Honda Jazz review be available?]( Posted by on 5 June, 2020 When will you be road testing and reviewing the 2020 Honda Jazz hybrid models and the Honda E? They are available in Honda showrooms but we can't test drive in Wales due to COVID-19 restrictions. There appears to be no real life experience test reviews on these models available to the public at the moment. [Read more →]( [What will happen if I don't change the engine oil straight away?]( Posted by on 4 June, 2020 I have a two year old Citroen Relay van (2.0 diesel). It had an oil and air filter change a year ago at 4000 miles. It's now done another 4000 miles and a change oil warning light comes on at the start of each journey. I'm on the garage's waiting list for the van to be serviced. The van handbook is light on detail. Can you tell me if the van will go into limp home mode at some point as I have no idea when I will be able to get it serviced? [Read more →]( [What do you think of the MG 3?]( Posted by on 4 June, 2020 My daughter commutes from South Wales to Bristol every day. She has a 10 year old, high mileage Peugeot 207 and is thinking of buying a new MG - either 3 or ZS as there seems to be good deals available. New car must be petrol as Bristol is banning diesels next year. Is this a good idea and is the scrappage scheme worth considering? Many thanks. [Read more →]( [Is there a difference in the reliability of Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi and SEAT models?]( Posted by on 4 June, 2020 Do you think there is a difference in the reliability of the different Volkswagen Group models? Skoda seems to have by far the best write-ups with various awards and recommendations. Seems strange seeing as Audi, Volkswagen and SEAT share a lot a common components. Maybe Skoda owners expect less and look after their cars better. [Read more →]( [Is a 15-year-old car too old to be looking at?]( Posted by on 4 June, 2020 I've got £3000 to buy a car with and it must be automatic and big enough to accommodate two big child seats. At the moment I've landed on a BMW 3 Series with 70,000 miles, full main dealer history, never failed an MoT and got all the history - including receipts for tyres. But it's 15 years old. Is this the wrong direction to be looking? [Read more →]( [Why do I have to pay my excess to claim for a stolen cat converter?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 I had my catalytic converter stolen. Should I have to pay the excess when it wasn’t my fault? My insurance company says it’s regardless of fault. [Read more →]( [Insurer pushing me to accept partial fault for an accident. Should I?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 I have been advised by my insurance company to accept 70/30 fault on an accident that I had absolutely no responsibility for. Is it worth pursuing further? [Read more →]( [I'm buying a diesel but just read about DPF issues when used for short trips. Should I be right to panic?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 I'm a bit of a novice and don't know much about DPFs and diesel engines (or...well... cars in general). Normal small family car use, so mostly shop trips, longer 20min+ drives at weekends and a few longer motorway drives throughout the year. I'm buying a 2013 Kia Cee'd diesel auto and, now reading about diesels and DPF issues, I'm panicking. Should I be rethinking this purchase? [Read more →]( [Dealer lied about number of owners and service history on my car. What are my rights?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 I recently bought a Volvo V40 from a garage. It was advertised as having one former keeper, yet so far I have found three - the first being a leasing company. It also came with seven service stamps and a fresh MoT with no advisories. Within a month, the breaks failed, tyres were illegal and after a safety check with local Volvo dealer - I was told it hadn't been serviced since 2016 and gearbox was faulty. I managed to locate one owner who sold it to webuyanycar, who put into auction and then was bought by the garage who sold it to me. I have been passed from pillar to post since and can't ask about service history as the first four stamps are by companies who've gone bust. I would really appreciate any help you can give me on finding out if can prove this service history is false. The last two services were done by service centres, yet the MoTs were done by different centres in different towns. Some of the stamps also look like they've been written by the same person. [Read more →]( [Do I need to replace all four tyres at the same time?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 My Mercedes-Benz E-Class will require new front tyres before winter. I would like to fit Michelin CrossClimate or similar. Can I just put these on the front with the standard tyres on the back or do I need to change all four at the same time? [Read more →]( [Do I need to run the air con all the time to prevent issues?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 The air conditioning in my 2011 Mazda MX-5 is working fine at the moment but I am a little concerned as I hardly ever use it and I have read that one should use it regularly. I like to lower the roof at every opportunity - even in the winter months provided that the temperature is reasonable - so we only use the aircon when the roof is raised. It does not seem appropriate to use the aircon when the roof is down - although, we do use the heater. What do you think? [Read more →]( [When is the DVLA going to get back to me about my application?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 Does anyone have any information or idea when DVLA will be open again? They must have an enormous backlog of mail. I sent in an application 12 March to change my 1979 classic car to Historic status for tax exemption. Two post offices refused to deal with it and it can't be done online, so technically it's not taxed. Although, it's insured and MOT'd. Icannot use the car until they deal with it and I get a reply. I've had to rent a garage to keep it off the road in the meantime. DVLA says a car can be used pending reply - but if it pinged up on an ANPR, I understand it would automatically generate a penalty notice. Imagine the hassle of appealing that. [Read more →]( [DVLA hasn't responded to my licence application - can I still drive?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 What is the latest news on renewal of driving licences for over 70s? [Read more →]( [Why is the dealer trying to charge me £1800 just to identify a fault?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 My MINI One had mechanical failure in March, just before lockdown. It was towed to the dealer that I bought it from, who quoted £1800 just to open the bonnet and say what was wrong! From reading various forums, this looks wildly disproportionate for a diagnostic check - especially from the dealer that we bought our second car from. The car was worth £6000 and we have £3000 finance to pay off, so I don't know whether to accept a derisory trade-in offer of £1500 or find someone else that might be able to fit a new engine at less than the value of the car. [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a reliable, economical SUV with 4WD?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 I'm looking for a new/used car that is reliable and economical, as well as providing some form of 4WD option. I live in the countryside and my MINI has not survived the potholes round here! I also need a good sized boot for my dog. I'm looking to spend up to £20,000 but am completely overwhelmed as to which car to buy. Do you have any ideas? I would be very grateful for any advice you can give me. Thank you. [Read more →]( [What's the most reliable used car I can get for £3500?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 I'm looking to buy a reliable, economic car with the best spec and extras I can possibly get for around £3500. At the moment, I've landed on 2010 Citreon DS3 at that price. I was wondering if you would recommend anything other than this that may be better value for money? [Read more →]( [Why does my car rattle?]( Posted by on 3 June, 2020 My car rattles when going over bumps. Can you help? [Read more →]( [I have £6000 for something reliable and stylish. Recommendations?]( Posted by on 2 June, 2020 I have up to £6000 (could push for a little more) to spend on a car. I want a reasonably economical to run/repair model, but with a bit of punch and flair. I'm an older driver so the insurance bracket isn't so expensive for me. Head says Ford Fiesta, heart says DS3 or Scirocco! I drive around 8000 miles per year, mixed motorway/town. Very rarely more than two people in the car. [Read more →]( You received this email because you signed up to our mailing list. 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