What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [The ECU in my van has failed. Should I get it repaired or just replace it?]( Posted by on 1 July, 2021 I bought a Mercedes Citan 109 CDI long wheelbase panel van, registered 2018, in Feb 2019. It had approximately 8,000 miles on the clock. It now has approx. 13,000 miles on the clock. Recently the van wouldn’t start and the garage has diagnosed an ECU unit failure. They are trying a company that might be able to repair it as a new one is quoted as being £1500 plus VAT. Should the ECU unit fail on such a low mileage or can they fail at any time? Is it worth trying to get it repaired — will it last or should I just bite the bullet and get a new one fitted? I might be tempted to trade it in after that. Can you recommend a small van that might prove to be more reliable? Many thanks for any help you can give. [Read more →]( [My new car isn't available with sat nav due to the chip shortage. Should I still buy it?]( Posted by on 1 July, 2021 The new Dacia Sandero Comfort model is now being made without a satnav or wireless Apple CarPlay. This was different to the car I ordered. Dacia says that they are having supplier difficulties due to the worldwide chip shortage. I feel let down in that they did not tell me about the change. Should I still buy it? [Read more →]( [I'm looking at a diesel car that's done 156,000 miles. Is it a good buy?]( Posted by on 1 July, 2021 I'm looking at a 2016 Volkswagen Passat 2.0-litre with 156,000 miles on the clock. It has a full VW history, including two cambelt changes. Would this be a good buy? [Read more →]( [What is the knocking noise I hear when turning at low speeds?]( Posted by on 1 July, 2021 I have a 2018 Mercedes-Benz B-Class. When turning the steering wheel, I get a light knocking from somewhere - but only at low speed. What could it be? The mileage is about 5000. Thank you. [Read more →]( [Do I need to get recall work done if the car has been fine so far?]( Posted by on 30 June, 2021 My car was new in June 2016 and has done 23,000 miles. I have had a recall letter and am wondering, after all this time with no problem, whether the work needs to be done. I'm concerned that the work may compromise the original corrosion resistance. The work would be done in the body shop of our main Ford dealer by a car window glass specialist and I have to leave the car with them for up to four hours. An additional problem is that Ford do not authorise a courtesy car. As I'm a full-time carer for my wife, who has advanced Parkinsons, I have to call in a temporary carer for her while I am away. The journey to the workshop is a 60-mile round trip from the depths of Cornwall to Plymouth. If this is an important recall, I would really like them to collect the car and return it when done. I would value your thoughts. Thank you. [Read more →]( [Which Vauxhall dealer is taking over from Peter Vardy in in Scotland?]( Posted by on 28 June, 2021 My Vauxhall dealer in Perth, Scotland (Peter Vardy) has parted company with Vauxhall and can no longer process warranty claims. Which dealer is taking over the Vauxhall franchise from Peter Vardy in Perth and other Scottish cities? [Read more →]( [A dealer is offering no incentives to buy a new car with them. Is this common right now?]( Posted by on 28 June, 2021 I recently went to a local dealership to inquire/buy a Jaguar XE-S. I was taken through the Jaguar online 'Build your car' and shown the final cost. When I asked about incentives to buy at that dealership I was told there were none (no discount, no mud flaps, nothing)! Is this likely to be the reaction I get from a different dealership or did I catch them on a bad day? [Read more →]( [If I return a car bought online from a dealer, am I responsible for taking it back?]( Posted by on 28 June, 2021 I believe that I'm covered under the Distance Selling Regulations in that I have paid a reservation fee to secure a vehicle. The dealer has arranged V5 change of owner, which I have received. The part-ex offer has been accepted for my current car and a home delivery option was offered by the dealer as they're 200 miles away. If I reject the car within 14 days, do I have to return it to the dealership or have they got to collect it from me? Their returns policy states I have to take it back to them, but does the law say the dealer has to collect it? Thanks. [Read more →]( [Gears won't engage after I rebuilt the gearbox. What's the problem?]( Posted by on 28 June, 2021 I had a new clutch and flywheel fitted, then had the gearbox rebuilt. Four weeks later the clutch is going straight to the floor and the gears won't engage. What's the issue? [Read more →]( [A garage is trying to charge me 45p per mile depreciation for a 10-year-old car. Any thoughts?]( Posted by on 28 June, 2021 What’s a fair depreciation charge per mile when returning a secondhand car to the sales garage? I bought a 10-year-old Skoda with 78,000 miles but, after 6 weeks, it was obvious that the engine was shot having been badly looked after. The garage says it will take it back but wants to charge 45p per mile depreciation - which seems like they’re having a lark. How can a car that cost £4500 with 78,000 be worth only £3500 at 80,000 miles? It seems like they want to charge me with an engine rebuild. Any thoughts? Am I being taken for a ride here? Thanks for any advice. [Read more →]( [What's the best car for taxi work?]( Posted by on 28 June, 2021 I have a budget of around £10k to buy a car for taxi work. On average, I do around 25,000 miles a year. I'm after a vehicle that's 2017-onwards. What car would you recommend for me? [Read more →]( [What's the reason that cars don't always come with a space saver wheel?]( Posted by on 28 June, 2021 I recently purchased a Hyundai Tuscan Hybridon 19-inch wheels. The dealer was initially unable to source a spare space saver but eventually found one. In fact it is just a full size spare. This is taking additinal boot space and means I can't utilise the extra boot depth. Is there an issue or reason for not having a space saver spare wheel with this car as I cant get a straight answer from the dealer? Many thanks. [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