What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [Can you recommend some run flat tyres?]( Posted by on 12 November, 2020 I have a 2015 BMW 1 Series that needs all four tyres replacing. I'm unable to find a particular make/model on the internet that stands out. Can you help? Currently, I have Bridgestone Potenza that seem very good - is there anything that better? Many thanks. [Read more →]( [Should I get an extended warranty?]( Posted by on 12 November, 2020 Are extended warranties worth the money? [Read more →]( [Can you recommend tyres for a high mileage driver?]( Posted by on 12 November, 2020 I need to replace the front tyres on my car. Should I replace all four with Michelin’s Cross Climate or just replace the front two with standard tyres? If the latter, what would you recommend? [Read more →]( [Will the engine be a concern on a van with over 220,000 miles?]( Posted by on 12 November, 2020 I'm currently looking for a van to convert into a camper. It will be my first time doing woodwork, electrics etc so it will likely serve as a bit of a learning experience. I'll look to make use of the van for about three years before probably trying it again with more attention to detail on a nicer van. Right now though, I'm just looking for a cheap old runner. I've found a nice looking high roof 2008 Ford Transit with security locks and a roof rack for £1800 and I don't mind shelling out a fair bit more at a garage if the odd problem comes up as it's so cheap to start with. It has 223,000 miles on the clock. The main concern I have though is engine health - it's been flagged on its previous MOT as the engine indicator light being the cause of a failure (with a subsequent pass the next day). Is paying for a basic vehicle check from the RAC a good way of getting reassurance on something like this? Is that a reliable way of sussing out future problems? [Read more →]( [What's the best year model Land Rover Freelander 2?]( Posted by on 11 November, 2020 What's the best year model for a diesel manual Land Rover Freelander 2? Which engine to choose, too, please? [Read more →]( [Can you suggest a reliable, petrol, used 4x4 SUV?]( Posted by on 11 November, 2020 We're trying to choose a reliable, used, automatic, five-seater SUV or estate for £12-16k. It can't be diesel and needs to be able to manage a family of 5 on motorway trips (so boot needs to be at least 450 litres and back seat not too narrow), narrow winding rural lanes with potholes and steep hills - so can't be too wide and ideally 4x4. We were keen on the raised ride height and 4x4 of the Skoda Scout but affordable models are all diesel. Yeti is too small and the newest Skoda SUVs are too pricy. Advice welcomed, thanks. [Read more →]( [Are Volkswagen's engine hesitancy issues sorted now?]( Posted by on 11 November, 2020 Has Volkswagen Group sorted out their 1.5 petrol engine issues? [Read more →]( [We had our MoT done early and the car failed. Why was it immediately flagged as having no MoT?]( Posted by on 11 November, 2020 My son's MoT was due to expire on 20 November with the Covid-19 extension. He took his car in early, on 2 November, and it failed. Straight away, the 20th date was cancelled and it was flagged up on 5 November as having no MoT. Before, you had time to get the repairs done and re-MOT it before the expiry date. Please can you advise your readers? Thank you. [Read more →]( [Can you suggest an automatic car that handles potholes well?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 Due to a painful left knee, I need an automatic car. I currently drive a Kia Venga and I like the high driving position, although my husband says it’s too harsh over bumps, potholes etc. Can you suggest any cars, please? I have approximately £10,000 and the resale value on my 2010 Venga. Kind regards. [Read more →]( [How do I prevent car theft?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 I've just bought an automatic car and now I find out they're easier to steal than a manual. I don't have a garage or a driveway, how can I make my car more secure? [Read more →]( [Is it illegal to display a registration plate behind the windscreen?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 My car passed its MOT with its front registration plate fixed to my car's bonnet with gaffer tape. I'd been waiting at the time for the proper plate holder to be sent out to me before it could be fixed to the curved profile of the bumper. However, two days after the MOT, I was driving along a dual carriageway at speed and the plate flew off into the road. I retrieved my plate and placed it on full display behind my windscreen until I could get home to reattach it properly. Unfortunately, I was unlucky enough to be stopped by the police before I could get home to make the repairs and was reported for failing to display the front plate. Firstly, have I broken any laws by placing the plate behind glass windscreen, and do I have a lawful excuse due to the circumstances as my plate was attached and on display when I set off at the beginning of my journey? The police said the plate can't be behind glass, whilst I thought that as long as the plate is not obscured in any way that it was still legal. [Read more →]( [If I replace an engine, do I need to tell the DVLA?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 The engine in my Fiat Doblo van has broken down and the local garage that I trust has told me it needs replacing. I will do this with a reconditioned unit. Obviously the replacement unit will have a different number to the old one. Do I need to inform the DVLA of the change and, if I have to send the V5 in, can I still use my van until the replacement V5 comes back? Many thanks. [Read more →]( [Can I drive a SORN'd car on trade plates?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 A car was gifted to me in a will, but I don't want it so it's being sold when acquired. Can I drive it on trade plates when uninsured and SORN'd, please? [Read more →]( [A smart motorway speed limit reduced as I went past the camera. Will I be fined for speeding?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 I was travelling down the M1 on at 70MPH and, as I reached a gantry, the speed limit signs flashed up 50MPH. I started to brake, but on the other side of the gantry was a speed camera, which promptly flashed me. I was doing about 60/65mph as there was a car behind me and I couldn't brake hard. Can they fine me for this? If they do, do I have any grounds for challenging the ticket? [Read more →]( [Do I have to tell my insurer if I remap my car's engine?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 If I have my engine remapped, do I have to inform my insurance company? Will it affect my insurance? [Read more →]( [What's the best automatic MPV for transporting dogs/bikes?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 What's the best current or nearly-new small, automatic, petrol MPV with a flat load bed that would be easy to load bikes or a dog? [Read more →]( [What's the best small SUV with an automatic transmission?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2020 I'm looking to change my current car after the winter for a small SUV. I have back and left knee ligament trouble so an auto box is preferable. I'd be looking at something like a Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008, Ford Ecosport/Kuga or Volkswagen Tiguan. Budget is £7000. [Read more →]( [I need to renew my over-70s driving licence. Will it be automatically renewed or not?]( Posted by on 9 November, 2020 Having read some of the answers in regards to the renewal of my driving licence, I'm still unsure if I have an automatic extension or not. I turned 70 three years ago and need to renew for the first week of December under the 3-year renewal rule. I do not have a valid passport so looks like I cannot renew online. With further lockdowns just announced, I guess things will not improve soon. What should I do? [Read more →]( [Can I have a UK and a Spanish driving licence after the UK leaves the EU?]( Posted by on 9 November, 2020 As a Spanish resident, I must exchange my UK driving licence for a Spanish one since, whilst in the EU, I can only have a licence from one country. After 1 January 2021, when we have completely left the EU, will it be possible to regain the UK licence, as well as the Spanish one since I expect to spend more time in the UK than in Spain? If so, how do I achieve it? 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