What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [Citroen C1 - cam belt or timing chain?]( Posted by on 20 January, 2022 Does the Citreon C1 (2009 model) have timing chains or belts? [Read more →]( [Should I learn left foot braking?]( Posted by on 19 January, 2022 How do you train your left foot to brake in a car with an auto transmission? [Read more →]( [Honda Civic - should I trade it in for something newer or run it into the ground?]( Posted by on 19 January, 2022 I own a 2015 Honda Civic. It is in a high spec with just 27,000 miles on the clock. It is the best car I have ever owned. With the current inflated prices for used cars, is now the right time to part exchange? I am considering a Toyota Yaris Hybrid 2021 model. My conundrum is to run the Civic until it is no longer road worthy, which will take many, many years or to part exchange now? [Read more →]( [Spare wheels - do we really need them anymore?]( Posted by on 19 January, 2022 When we bought my wife's Honda Jazz it came with a tyre repair kit but we could buy a spare, and this came in handy when she hit a kerbstone and ruptured a tyre. I'm about to get a Lexus UX. I could not get one with the 18-inch wheels and run-flats (none were available) and have had to settle for the 17-inch wheel version which comes with a can of repair gunk I don't think there is a designated space for a spare wheel. So it looks like I have no alternative. Am I being foolish in worrying about driving long distance with just a repair kit, or have things moved on since I last bought a car? [Read more →]( [What's the best estate car for sale right now?]( Posted by on 19 January, 2022 What is the best estate caron sale right now? [Read more →]( [Nissan Pulsar - should we keep or sell?]( Posted by on 19 January, 2022 My son has a 2016 Nissan Pulsar 1.5 diesel. It has 60,000 miles and is fully serviced, including cam belt change. To date, it has been totally reliable and the lease is ending soon. Is it worth buying the car or best to return it? Wondering if there are potential future problems with the diesel engine. [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a compact but spacious SUV?]( Posted by on 18 January, 2022 I’ve had my MINI Cooper four-door automatic since 2015 and have loved driving it. However, as my husband and I get older, with more aches and pains, we’re finding it more and more difficult to get in/out of it. I’m therefore thinking of buying a small crossover, as its extra height would suit us better. I really don’t want one much bigger than the MINI and also want to keep the automatic engine. Easy parking and good driver legroom are a priority. The car would be used for a mixture of short and long drives. What do you suggest I buy? [Read more →]( [Can I get a small EV with a 350 mile range?]( Posted by on 18 January, 2022 I live in a townhouse with no off-street parking. I have a garage in a block but it is unpowered. As I would like to buy an EV, I monitored my driving patterns over the last few months to work out the range I need. Based on that I have concluded that I need a minimum range of 350 miles. This is because: A) It would allow me to charge once around every two weeks when not travelling (there is only one high power public charger near and the nearest supercharger is 40 minutes away) B) Allow me to do my regular 200-mile motorway journey, at 70mph, with a single charge in the middle of the journey that will allow me sufficient charge for the next day irrespective of time of year. I could by a Tesla Model 3 long-range, but to be honest its far too big and doesn’t fit my garage. I have looked at the ID.3, but I don’t want an SUV. My ideal EV would be the size of a three-door MINI as this suits my work/life needs, being great in town and on the motorway and fits in the garage. When will there be EVs with this range in this size? [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a practical but small SUV that will carry our bowls equipment and dog?]( Posted by on 18 January, 2022 We are aged 80 and want a hatchback or small SUV with a flat boot that will take our heavy bowls equipment and/or carry our dog. We cover about 6000 miles a year, with a drive of 250 miles three times a year to our daughter on the Pennines. We favour Korean or Japanese manufacturers, although tried a Kona and were disappointed. Not keen on electric and have around £18,000 plus our 2009 Toyota Auris to spend on a nearly new vehicle. What can you recommend for us? [Read more →]( [Do I need to tax and MoT my car if I am not using it due to ill health?]( Posted by on 18 January, 2022 Do I need to tax and MoT my car I am not using due to ill health? [Read more →]( [What's the best electric car with a big boot?]( Posted by on 18 January, 2022 I am ready to change my now 12-year-old BMW 520d Touring for a new car. I have owned my BMW from new and have been delighted with it, but my annual mileage has dropped below 10,000 miles a year following retirement. I am wondering if now is a good time to switch to an EV. I have a budget of £50,000 to spend but the replacement car must have similar boot space to my BMW 5 Series estate. The only car I have found with a comparable boot to date is the Skoda Enyaq. Any there any other EVs I should consider? [Read more →]( [What's the best 4x4 for narrow, rural roads?]( Posted by on 17 January, 2022 My daughter, an emergency nurse, is moving from the south of England to the North East and will be commuting between hospitals. She is looking to buy a new car more appropriate to the change in climate and the narrower roads. A small 4x4 would be ideal, perhaps a MINI? Your advice would be very much appreciated. [Read more →]( [Car repairs are taking too long - what are my rights?]( Posted by on 17 January, 2022 The power steering on our 2017 Jaguar F pace failed in heavy rain at the beginning of November and it has been in the dealership awaiting repair ever since. The latest we have heard is they expect the part to arrive at the end of January. Do we have any recourse for this appalling service? They offered us a tiny reduction on the estimate, but that was over a month ago. [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a compact and comfortable car to replace my Mazda 3?]( Posted by on 17 January, 2022 Four years ago, HonestJohn.co.uk recommended a Mazda 3 for me. I very much like it: it's comfortable, got good performance, and is very economical. However, I find it a bit big and the visibility is not as good as it can be, so I find it hard to park neatly. Where we live, there is now no new car dealers. The nearest ones sell Volkswagens, Citroens, and Vauxhalls. Further away is a Toyota dealer. The kind of motoring we do would lend itself to an electric car, but they are too expensive for me to buy and insure. Therefore a petrol car would be the best compromise. I feel that because of my age, I would need an automatic, as my left knee can give me trouble. Currently, my wife and I favour a Volkswagen, either a Golf or a Polo. But we are also open to the idea of a Toyota. I am not a petrolhead, but I want to be able to overtake safely and the car needs to be comfortable. What do you suggest I buy? [Read more →]( [Suitable replacement for 1998 E-Class?]( Posted by on 17 January, 2022 My dad drives a 1998 Mercedes E-Class with over 160,000 miles on the clock but it's now getting expensive to maintain. Could you suggest a suitable alternative for under £5,000? He's found a 2004 E220 CDI but drives less than 2,000 miles a year so not sure if diesel will be suitable. And I understand that models prior to 2006 had a lot of problems. He's used to big cars so unfortunately narrows down the choices. [Read more →]( [What's the best EV on sale right now for range and boot space?]( Posted by on 17 January, 2022 I am interested in purchasing an electric car; however, I don't know where to start. Can you help me please? I'd like a car that has good range, like the Kia e-Niro and a large boot for the shopping, too. What do you recommend? [Read more →]( [What's the best used, medium-sized SUV?]( Posted by on 17 January, 2022 I have £19,000 to spend. Can you tell me what's the best used medium-sized SUV with a petrol engine and automatic gearbox? [Read more →]( [What's the best large estate car for under £35,000?]( Posted by on 17 January, 2022 I have a 2016 Skoda Superb hatchback, which I’ve been really pleased with but now what to change it for a large estate car that's up to two years old and priced under £35,000. I’ve looked at the Superb Estate which would be fine, but wondered what else I should consider? [Read more →]( [I have got five speeding tickets - will I be banned from driving?]( Posted by on 16 January, 2022 I have a provisional driving licence and five speeding tickets have come through on different days, will I get banned? [Read more →]( [Should I get a BMW extended warranty?]( Posted by on 16 January, 2022 I have a three year BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with14,500 mile on the clock. It's been serviced by BMW and will continue to be. With such a low mileage do you think I need to extend my warranty at a cost of £633 a year without excess and £320 with a £250 excess? I will be changing the car in about two years when I guess I will have done 25,000-30,000 miles. [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