What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [Do I need to tax my vehicle if I'm not driving right now?]( Posted by on 14 January, 2021 I bought a motorhome and it's being delivered. Do I need to tax it if I don't intend to drive it for 3-4 months? [Read more →]( [I'm looking to buy a used van. Would you choose a Ford or a Volkswagen?]( Posted by on 14 January, 2021 We are in the market for a new company van and have the option of a 2014 Volkswagen Transporter or a 2015 Ford Transit Custom. Which van has better build and reliability as a used van? I've heard complaints of complex sensor problems on the Ford. Also, even though it'll be a work van, I feel long term value will be higher on the Volkswagen. [Read more →]( [My new car was sat at the docks for months. Is this normal or due to Covid?]( Posted by on 13 January, 2021 I've just taken delivery (remotely) of a brand new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate. This car was advertised as brand new and I'm the first registered keeper. Although I bought it from an MB dealer through CarWow, it was actually delivered straight from the docks in Grimsby. I have subsequently found a stamp on documentation within the car indicating some sort of inspection at Grimsby docks on 29th February 2020. Is this, as the dealer has said, normal for a car to be sat at the docks for this period of time and as a result of the pandemic? Is there anything that I should be wary of or that has likely to have deteriorated in this time? [Read more →]( [I need a reliable, sub-£10k vehicle to tow a horsebox. What do you advise?]( Posted by on 13 January, 2021 I'm looking for a good tow car under £10,000 to tow a horsebox with minimum braked towing weight of 3000kg. Running cost and reliability are most important. [Read more →]( [What would you recommend for a couple who want a comfortable, reliable SUV?]( Posted by on 13 January, 2021 My wife and I are in our late 60s, retired and are looking to buy an SUV for the first time for its ease of access and high position. We don't care about prestige brands but we do want comfort, refinement, quiet and enough performance to make driving effortless. Perhaps automatic. We are tall but do not need extra space for people or luggage. We also want reliability. We tend not to change cars frequently - we have had our current car - a Ford Focus, bought nearly new - for seven years. We want to spend no more than £30k. Would we be better off buying a used luxury SUV like the Audi Q7 or a new/nearly new midsize SUV like the Skoda Karoq? In short, what would you recommend for an ageing couple who put comfort over speed but don't want to pay for either size or prestige that we do not need? [Read more →]( [I'm thinking of getting a new diesel car. Can you suggest a model?]( Posted by on 13 January, 2021 The lease on my Volvo V40 petrol auto is due to end in 6 months time so I need to start thinking about what to replace it with. In the main, I have been impressed with the Volvo except for the fuel economy. Mileage is approx. 15k per year with a round trip of 230 miles once a week. PCH / PCP budget is around £300 per month. I'm tempted to go back to diesel once last time (a Tesla Model 3 is still out of my price range and I don't like any of the electric cars that are within budget), but I'm very aware of the anti diesel brigade. Essentials are automatic gearbox, adjustable driving position and comfort. The seats in the Volvo are excellent. [Read more →]( [How reliable would a Land Rover Defender 110 automatic conversion be?]( Posted by on 13 January, 2021 How reliable would a 2014 Land Rover Defender 110 automatic conversion be? It's only done 36,000 miles. Do you think they might increase in value over time as they are no longer being made? [Read more →]( [How do I know if my car is ULEZ and Congestion Charge exempt?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2021 How do I find out if a car meets the ULEZ and Congestion Charge? Some sellers will say it does, but is there a concrete way to confirm it does? [Read more →]( [How much can I reasonably negotiate off forecourt prices?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2021 There appears to be larger differences between forecourt prices and part-exchange values than ever before. Volvos differ between £5k and £10k. How much of this is realistically negotiable, accepting that they need to make a profit? Is it a lottery depending on whether dealer targets need to be met? An offer of 10% less than the forecourt price was once very impolitely scoffed at and rejected. How can I approach a dealer without huge cynicism to negotiate a fair deal? [Read more →]( [How do I appeal a parking fine because the pay machine wasn't working?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2021 The parking machine was not working. I have now received a fixed penalty. How do I appeal? [Read more →]( [I'm stuck in Spain during lockdown but my MoT is due soon. What do I do?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2021 I'm currently in Spain and not allowed to leave Valencia province. My MOT is due on March 7th and I don't know whether I will be able to return to the UK for the MOT to be carried out. If I am unable to return, what do I need to do? [Read more →]( [Why is it difficult to change gear in my automatic car?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2021 The gearstick on my 3-year-old Volkswagen Passat (DSG) gets sticky going from park to reverse. I've only noticed it a few times as it doesn't do it very often. At the time, it wasn't parked on a level surface. Any idea why that is or if it's a common thing with automatic gearboxes? [Read more →]( [A buyer bought, modified and then broke a car I sold him. Can he legally claim money from me?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2021 I live in Scotland and sold a car privately to someone from England, the new owner later sent me a text to say it was running fine after he had done a few miles. He then put different wheels on and other modification, as well as changing the number plate. He finally took it to a rolling road where the engine was 'tweeked' to give more horsepower. The car subsequently blew up. He is now trying to claim against me for a new engine. What are my rights? [Read more →]( ['m unsure whether to buy a petrol, diesel or hybrid car. What do you think?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2021 I live in France but, in normal times, return to the UK 4-5 times a year. I have been thinking of buying a Citroen C5 Aircross but I'm unsure whether to buy a petrol, diesel or hybrid car. Are there any other cars I should consider or any fully electric cars of a similar size? Thanks. [Read more →]( [I want a diesel, manual estate or hatchback. Could you suggest some models?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2021 My 2010 Saab 9-3 Sportwagon has died and we have parted company. I’m struggling to decide what I should buy to replace it. I need a hatch or estate to easily carry family stuff and don’t really want anything bigger than the Saab. In normal times, my trip to work is about 25 miles each way (all dual carriageway), so I prefer a diesel. Since parting company with the Saab, I’ve tried a few cars and concluded a manual is essential. I enjoy driving and an automatic just makes driving a process, not the experience I love. I’d like to catch up on the tech that new cars have now, though. I’d prefer a conventional car rather than something raised like an SUV. It feels like there is no perfect solution and something will have to give but manual is essential. [Read more →]( [How far and for how long do we need to drive our car to keep it in good condition?]( Posted by on 11 January, 2021 Being retired and benefitting from home deliveries during the latest COVID-19 restrictions, our 2017 Ford Fiesta has remained in the garage for some weeks. Our car’s battery has been monitored for a year now by a CTEK unit. During the lockdown, the UK Government recommends that we take our daily exercise locally, but how often and for how long should we take our Ford Fiesta for a drive to maintain its fitness? Thanks for your help and kind regards [Read more →]( [Is there an organisation I can contact about unreasonable repair costs?]( Posted by on 11 January, 2021 A local garage has had my 2009 Volvo S40 for 8 weeks trying to resolve a misfire so I can claim the cost from Warrantywise. They have had my car for so long that I am considering cutting my losses and getting my car back because the warranty company won't pay for any investigation work until the fault has been found. I am so fed up with the whole deal I have told the garage I am going to take my car back at the end of the month if it isn't sorted. If I am not happy with the final bill that I know I will have to pay, is there an organisation or group I can contact to help question the bill? Many thanks. [Read more →]( [Could an electric car manage a 160-mile roundtrip without stopping to charge?]( Posted by on 11 January, 2021 I'm a volunteer driver taking people for treatment. The total round trip is 160 miles, but there's no changing point at this hospital. Is it possible to get an EV that will do this trip in the Scottish winter for about £15,000? It'll have to be a used car, but I'm not fussy. [Read more →]( [Do I need to replace the water pump along with the timing belt?]( Posted by on 11 January, 2021 I have a 2016 Volkswagen Golf and have received differing advice about replacing the water pump with the timing belt. Some garages have said to me the water pump is not driven by the timing belt so it does not need to be replaced at the same time. Is this correct? I'd appreciate advice on this. [Read more →]( [Do you have any advice about driving to charge a flat battery?]( Posted by on 11 January, 2021 If I take my car for a decent motorway run to charge battery, do you have any advice about speeds, gears, putting heaters on etc? [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