What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [My car's DPF is blocked. Can it be cleaned or does it need replacing?]( Posted by on 6 November, 2020 I've owned a diesel 2013 Volvo V40 for nearly two years and it has now covered 28,000 miles (short journeys since I have owned it). Recently the message 'soot filter blocked' came up. My local garage has had it in a couple of times to do a forced regeneration and put it on a machine to clean the DPF but so far nothing has worked and the message is still on the instrument panel. Do you know if this can actually be cleaned somehow or, if not, what the likely cost of a replacement DPF would be? Thank you. [Read more →]( [How much does a new oil pump cost?]( Posted by on 6 November, 2020 I'd like to know how much an oil pump replacement would cost on a 2016 Citroen C3. I have been told it could be thousands! [Read more →]( [When does the new hybrid Toyota RAV4 launch in the UK?]( Posted by on 6 November, 2020 When will the Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid be available in the UK? [Read more →]( [I can't move the gear selector from P, could this be a battery issue?]( Posted by on 6 November, 2020 My 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has only done 21,000 miles. I've had it from new with the original battery. It stood idle for three weeks and was sluggish to start yesterday. I switched on the heated rear windscreen and blower to clear frost but the gear selector would not move from P. I ran the engine for a few minutes but the fault persisted. Later that day I started it again, this time I was able to select gears as normal. I ran the engine for 20 minutes last night and the gear selection is okay today. Could low voltage and a failing battery cause this? [Read more →]( [Why is the road tax on my 2005 car so high?]( Posted by on 5 November, 2020 I want to know why my 2005 Honda Accord has such expensive car tax. Some people pay nothing or very little and I pay a fortune. [Read more →]( [Where on the windscreen should I put my dash camera?]( Posted by on 5 November, 2020 I'm minded to fit a dash cam and the consensus is that the optimum position is behind the rearview mirror. However, if I were to do this the cam would be positioned on the shaded/mottled area of the windscreen. Would this affect the camera's ability to focus properly or indeed have a clear view of the road ahead? As always your comments would be much appreciated. Many thanks. [Read more →]( [What motorhomes get the best mpg?]( Posted by on 5 November, 2020 What motorhomes see the best fuel economy? [Read more →]( [My car isn't reliable and keeps refusing to start. Can I get my money back?]( Posted by on 5 November, 2020 I got my car - a 2015 Mercedes A-Class - at the end of January. Twice it’s been recovered from my drive as it wouldn’t start. The dealer I got it from is saying it’s a software update that needed doing that’s why it wouldn’t start the second time. I don’t understand how a software update will stop your car from starting! I’ve had a warning Light on saying “without changing gear consult workshop". Where do I stand? Can I ask for my money back? The dealer has covered the cost of everything so far but I have lost all faith and it’s not reliable. [Read more →]( [My used car has an oil leak. Can I reject it?]( Posted by on 5 November, 2020 I bought a 2011 Audi Q7 but spotted an oil leak a few days after buying. The seller is repairing it for me. Can you advise regarding my rights to return the car? [Read more →]( [My battery has lasted 17 years. Is that common?]( Posted by on 5 November, 2020 This is not really a question as such but I've seen your advice that car batteries are designed to last 3-5 years. I have owned a 2003 Citroen Xsara Picasso from new. I'm probably tempting fate to state that the original Bosch battery still works fine. I have never touched it and would be interested to know if other folks have had a similar experience. Maybe its because the battery is cosily located under the front passenger seat. [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a used, seven-seater that's ULEZ compliant?]( Posted by on 5 November, 2020 I have a 2015 Land Rover Discovery 4. I live in London and it does not comply with the ULEZ regulations coming into force in October 2021. I need a second-hand seven-seater that does comply. I like the Disco 4 as it is roomy. Are there other makes that are comparable and ULEZ compliant? My budget is around £32,000? [Read more →]( [How can I guarantee payment when selling my car?]( Posted by on 4 November, 2020 What is the best way of getting paid when selling a vehicle privately and to a dealer? Many thanks. [Read more →]( [The DPF has failed on my car for the second time. What can I do?]( Posted by on 3 November, 2020 Just over a year ago, I wrote to you to flag a DPF issue with my 30k mileage 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport. After a massive fight, Land Rover replaced the entire DPF system for free (even though out of warranty). Now, just 10k miles and 12 months later, the entire DPF system has failed again. LR refused any support and I have a £2300 bill. Given the 20-page "D8 Dilution Explained" document that's freely circulating - which highlights systemic design issues that almost guarantee such failures, what are your thoughts on LR's responsibilities/legal obligations? In 2015, diesel was just becoming a bogey issue from a tax/environmental perspective, but these issues suggest the real problem - that no one warned buyers about the DPFs. [Read more →]( [Would a non-manufacturer tow bar invalidate my warranty?]( Posted by on 3 November, 2020 I want to fit a tow bar to my 2016 BMW X3. I can get one fitted by an independent garage for about £650 or from BMW for close to £3000. There seems to be no difference between them other than the fact that it sounds like my BMW warranty might become invalidated unless I choose to use them. Is there any other solution other than to shell out an extra £2350? I’d rather buy a 20-year-old Shogun for the same price than a tow bar from BMW! [Read more →]( [The cam belt failed on our car. Where do we legally stand with this issue?]( Posted by on 3 November, 2020 I bought a 2016 DS3 on 3 July from a non-main dealer garage. Two and a half weeks ago (3 months and 2 weeks after buying), I was driving on a dual carriageway, roughly 68mph when the car cut out. I rolled it onto a side road and called the AA. The instant diagnosis was a snapped cambelt. The car was towed to local Citroen dealership, where we were told they would charge £136 to look at it but given that the car is only 4 years old, has a full service history and only has 42,000 miles, we were told it was likely that Citroen would cover the costs (or at least contribute). We contacted Citroen to make them aware we had this problem and they said they would communicate with the garage. We had little or no contact with the garage for the first 10 days and then when we enquired what was happening they said they're investigating any further potential damage and so far the bill was £530 (for the investigations). We didn't approve any further investigations other than the original £136 to look at it, though. This afternoon, Citroen has decided they're not going to contribute towards the cost to fix and we're yet to find out the quote to fix. Do you have any ideas where we stand with all this? Many thanks. [Read more →]( [Will the UK's speed limit be raised at some point?]( Posted by on 3 November, 2020 Apart from the millions extracted from drivers in speeding fines, what justification is there for the 70mph speed limit on motorways? It was imposed as a "temporary measure" 55 years ago next month. Cars now handle better, stop faster, have more safety equipment, have better visibility and grip the road better than they did then, so why not 80mph at least? [Read more →]( [re- mapping your engine]( Posted by on 3 November, 2020 If I have my engine remapped, do I have to inform my insurance company? Will it affect my insurance? [Read more →]( [Could you recommend a petrol SUV with a low boot lip?]( Posted by on 3 November, 2020 Unfortunately, our 1998 Toyota RAV4 has a slipping clutch and signs of rust. We're looking for a high-seated petrol SUV, preferably with a low boot lip so a dog can jump in. We like the looks of the Ford Ecosport (which I know you don't rate) and the Mazda CX-3. What would you recommend in this crowded market? It will be used mostly on local runs with the occasional longer trip. We have about £14,500 to spend. Thanks. [Read more →]( [Can I get an electric charging point installed without owning an electric car?]( Posted by on 2 November, 2020 If I havent got an electric car, could I still apply for a grant and get a charger installed anyway for future use? Or must you own a electric car as a condition of the grant? I'm thinking it would be a good idea for selling the house if it already had one. [Read more →]( [Would a cracked alloy fall under warranty?]( Posted by on 2 November, 2020 We have a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and the warranty is three years old next year. We've had the car since July 2020, purchased from a reputable Jaguar dealership. We're the second owners. We have just found out that the car has a slow puncture (or so we thought). Upon inspection at the tyre repair garage, it has been uncovered that the alloy has a crack in it, which has been previously repaired (badly). Would/should Mercedes have covered this under warranty from the first owner? If so, why did the previous owner not wish to go down this route? Should it still be covered under warranty now? Not sure where we stand legally with all this. Your help and guidance is appreciated as always. Many thanks. [Read more →]( You received this email because you signed up to our mailing list. 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