What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [Does the Fiat 500 Twin Air use a belt or chain?]( Posted by on 10 June, 2022 I have a 2015 Fiat 500 Twin Air which has done 33,000 miles. Should I be considering having the cam belt changed? [Read more →]( [Can a relative from Australia visit UK for six months, buy and insure a car and take it to Europe for a while?]( Posted by on 9 June, 2022 Early next year I will have a relative from Australia visiting me and staying in UK for around six months. Rather than hiring a car for such a long period, he would like to buy a car for around £6000, insure it in his name and use it to tour UK and Europe while he is here. He would then sell the car before returning to Australia. Two questions: 1. Is he able to purchase and insure a car in his name with a foreign driving licence? 2. Any advice on a reliable car for £6000? [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a cheap used car?]( Posted by on 9 June, 2022 I own a five-year-old Kia Venga petrol. The best I get from this car is 44mpg. So, with fuel prices increasing, I am looking to swap my car for something that's more efficient or electric. Can you suggest some suitable used vehicles that are three or four years old? [Read more →]( [Is a used Skoda Fabia a good car?]( Posted by on 9 June, 2022 I'm looking to buy a used Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI in SE L trim. The car is seven years old and has done 60,000 miles with two previous owners. It appears to have a full service history and is very clean and tidy. Are there any major concerns for this age of Skoda? Is it a good used car to buy? [Read more →]( [Can I ask a dealer to delay my new car so I can get the new reg?]( Posted by on 8 June, 2022 I ordered a new BMW 4 Series seven months ago. The car has been much delayed due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage. The car is due to be delivered a few weeks before the new number plate registration date. Am I able to ask them to hold registration to 1 September or am I asking for something I morally or technically shouldn't? [Read more →]( [Buying a car online - why do I have to pay upfront?]( Posted by on 8 June, 2022 I'm in the process of buying a car from a large car supermarket firm based in England.They have no outlets in Scotland so I have not yet physically seen the vehicle nor had a test drive. I'm now told that I have to pay in full 12 days in advance of their delivery. Obviously, I'm not at all happy about this. But the seller has said I have the option to reject the car for a full refund if it doesn't match the advertised spec. Can you offer any advice? [Read more →]( [Can I get a USB powered dash cam?]( Posted by on 8 June, 2022 I have a Skoda Octavia that was registered in 2021. I want to install a dash cam but there is no 12V power source in the front of the car. There is a USB socket in the roof console near the rearview mirror which would be a great place to provide power from. But I am struggling to find any dash cam that can be powered by a USB socket. Is there such a device ? [Read more →]( [When should I replace the cam belt on my Audi A3?]( Posted by on 8 June, 2022 My Audi A3 1.4 TFSi is now five years old and has covered 50,000 miles. I took it in for its cam belt change today and my local dealer has now advised me that the technical guidance has now changed and the cam belt is good for another 75,000 miles or 10 years. I’m assuming the new guidance is based on reviews of belts and their condition on an ongoing basis. But I was a little concerned when the dealer said some customers had still proceeded with the cam belt change, despite the new guidance. I think the idea of leaving it for another 75K miles seems extreme but would be grateful for your view about its replacement. I usually take an Audi annual warranty out and presume if the technical guidance has changed this would still cover me if it failed? [Read more →]( [What's the best car for rough roads?]( Posted by on 7 June, 2022 I'm looking to replace my 2025 Volkswagen Touran. The area I live in has rough roads and this means the Touran has a tendency to be loud (road noise) and uncomfortable over potholes. Could you recommend a car with a raised driving position, as I find getting in/out of the Touran quite uncomfortable, too. I've test-driven the XC40 and found myself disappointed that it wasn't quieter than my Touran at speed on typical rough surfaces. [Read more →]( [How much is a 20-year-old Ford Fiesta worth?]( Posted by on 7 June, 2022 My parents have decided for health reasons to stop driving. I am trying to sell their car, what in your opinion would be a reasonable price for a Y Reg (2001) three-door Ford Fiesta? It has a 1242cc petrol engine and is in average condition, with 55,000 miles on the clock and sox months left on the MoT. [Read more →]( [I need a comfortable, reliable, automatic car - should I buy an EV?]( Posted by on 6 June, 2022 I require an automatic car because of knee problems. My annual mileage is around 6,000 miles a year. Is now the time to go all electric? I also have solar panels - is this beneficial? How do you advise charging the car? [Read more →]( [Ford Focus - how reliable is the PowerShift automatic gearbox?]( Posted by on 6 June, 2022 How good or bad is the Powershift automatic transmission in comparison to a conventional torque converter transmission? [Read more →]( [What is the safest small car?]( Posted by on 6 June, 2022 What would be the safest small car to buy, Fiat 500 size? [Read more →]( [Motor trader has sold me a mapped car - what are my rights?]( Posted by on 6 June, 2022 I part-exchanged my car two months ago for a 2019 BMW M140i from a trader. Within weeks of owning the car, I discovered it had been engine mapped. The trader acknowledged my complaint but said he needed to contact the previous owner to find out what type of mapping had been applied. Since then the trader has been ignoring my calls and emails. My local BMW dealer has offered to return the engine to factory settings. However, I will have to pay for this to be done and the BMW dealer says they cannot be held liable if the remapping and programming cause any issues (as the mapping software is non-BMW). Can you advise me of my rights (if any) as I feel that I have bought a car which is virtually impossible to insure unless I get the main BMW re-map done. And I do not see why I should be liable for the cost or indeed if any issues are uncovered when the undertake the work. Your views would be much appreciated. [Read more →]( [Can you suggest a ULEZ-friendly coupe for under £35,000?]( Posted by on 6 June, 2022 I live in London and the impending ULEZ extension forces a reluctant sale of my much loved Euro5 BMW 640d. Everything about this car has been superb for the past five years but now is the time to move on. Requirements for a similarly comfortable, fast and entertaining premium car (ideally a coupe) that can accommodate four people is a must. I do only 4000 miles per year with infrequent long-distance driving. My max budget is £35,000. I'm considering an M4 (2019 Competition spec) but I'm concerned that future environmental taxes will price me off the road within a few years. I don't like Teslas and whilst the Honda E appeals, it's no good for long drives and is a long way off the BMW's 6 Series for luxury. Are there any interesting alternatives I should consider? [Read more →]( [Dealer sold me a Cat S car, what are my rights?]( Posted by on 6 June, 2022 I bought a car from a dealer a year ago and I've just found out its a Cat S. They didn't tell me this at the time I bought it. Where do I stand with this? [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