What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [If I buy a used Volkswagen from a non-VW dealership, is the warranty still valid?]( Posted by on 1 June, 2023 If I buy an under one-year-old Volkswagen from a non-VW dealership, will I be able to take it to VW if there are any issues under the original three-year warranty? [Read more →]( [Does an expired MoT invalidate car insurance?]( Posted by on 1 June, 2023 My father had a car accident last year – his fault. He hit a motorcyclist, the motor cycle was a mess so I am guessing the motor cyclist claimed for a new motor cycle and for his injuries. Additionally the cost to repair my fathers car was £3k which his insurance paid. However at the time of the accident my father's MoT had expired by three weeks. He genuinely forgot as he is nearing his mid 70s he gets more forgetful. I am led to believe that this means his insurance is not valid and therefore in theory he has to pay for his costs and the motorcyclist costs. My mother spoke to the insurance company today (as my father is not capable anymore due to health issues) and said they could be liable up to £80K in costs due to this mistake, they agreed that within 21 days she pays the cost to repair their own car which was £3k and everything will be settled. Any advice on what my parents should do please? [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a reliable family car on a £7000 budget?]( Posted by on 1 June, 2023 A relative has had her car written off and a payout has been agreed at £7000. What replacement car do you suggest? She has 2 children and needs a medium sized reliable family car. [Read more →]( [How many types of hybrid cars are there and what do they mean?]( Posted by on 1 June, 2023 I would like to buy a new or nearly new car (not older than 2019) but do not want a fully electric car as I do not have the facility to charge it at home. I don't understand what the different types of hybrid cars mean in practice? I thought I could have an electric car that can work on electric most of the time and I would not get stuck on the side of the road, without charge, because I also have a small petrol reserve. Are such cars more expensive because they have to have a combustion engine as well as the electric one? I currently have a petrol 2010 Yaris, bought in 2014, and would like a similar sized car with a slightly higher driving position that makes it easy to get in and out of. I don't want keyless entry and start as that makes it too easy for criminals to steal, as many of my neighbours with new/ish cars can testify. Which car models should I consider? What sort of price should I expect to pay? Which cars are the least desirable to criminals? [Read more →]( [What's the best car for a learner for £2500?]( Posted by on 1 June, 2023 What's the best secondhand car I can get for a learner? Budget £2500. [Read more →]( [Is it safe to drive my Fiat Panda with the steering in city mode?]( Posted by on 1 June, 2023 My Fiat Panda has two steering modes. Around town (City) and normal. The normal mode is no longer working. Is the car still safe to drive on the City mode alone? [Read more →]( [How much is a 1995 Rover Metro worth?]( Posted by on 31 May, 2023 I have a 1995 Rover Metro GTA 1.4L 5dr hatchback which I want to sell. Mileage 37,284. I have full ownership and service history. The car belonged to my mother-in law from 1996 until 2015 when she gave it to us. It has been garaged for virtually all of its life and has a current MoT. It is a good little car and in generally good condition except that both rear wheel arches have rust. One is quite bad though not bad enough to fail the MoT and there is a rust hole of about 50p piece-sized on the inside of the front passenger side door frame. The body paintwork has some faded patches. I have looked up some similar cars online to get some idea of what to sell it for but they vary a lot and I don't know how much to discount for the rust? Can you advise? [Read more →]( [How much should it cost to replace a seatbelt buckle?]( Posted by on 31 May, 2023 My 2019 Skoda Superb Estate failed its MoT due to a rear seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.12d). My son has tested it and the buckle will release, but not as easily as the others. I have been quoted nearly £500 for a new one (inc parts and fitting) by my local Skoda garage. Would there be any leeway at another garage, do you think? [Read more →]( [What do you recommend as a replacement for my Kia Picanto?]( Posted by on 31 May, 2023 I need some advice on what to replace my Kia Picanto with. I have no off street parking (or potential for a charging plug) so need a petrol or hybrid car that is quite compact for parking. My daily commute is approximately 10 miles in relatively heavy traffic. I travel to Devon every 4-6 weeks to look after my parents and also have travelled to Falmouth and Scotland to visit daughters (although that is less frequent). I also have a dog - who I don't like having in the Picanto boot. I am desperately trying to save up to retire early so cost efficiency is definitely a factor. I am looking for a reliable, safe, comfortable (for longer journeys) and cost efficient second hand car. I had been thinking about another Kia, a Toyota hybrid or petrol VW or Skoda. What would you recommend? [Read more →]( [What's the best trickle charger?]( Posted by on 31 May, 2023 My Toyota Proace is not used very often resulting in the battery draining down. Will a solar powered trickle charger keep the battery topped up? I am considering a model with EOPD plug as i understand this will charge the battery without having to connect crocodile clips to the car battery, leaving the bonnet open. Will this work? What model and power of solar panel would you recommend? [Read more →]( [What's the best practical family car for £5000?]( Posted by on 31 May, 2023 We have recently had a baby and have a dog which means we have outgrown our Ford Fiesta. We are looking for something under £5k with room for car seat, buggy, luggage and dog but don't want anything too big as we live in the city and have to park in some tight spots. Wish list - reliable, cheap to run, - mpg, insurance, tax, repair etc. Ideally parking sensors too. Also needs to be petrol as we live near a ULEZ zone. Not bothered about style or mod cons but if it had bluetooth and DAB I'd be chuffed. We went to see a Skoda Fabia estate but the interior possibly felt a bit too small. With the car seat in the back you have to have the front passenger seat scooched up and struggling with that in the fiesta. Not totally ruled it out though as it seems to tick a lot of boxes. Have also been considering the Ford C-MAX or Vauxhall Zafira (even though we don't need 7 seats - I know they fold really easily and it's quite a nice option to have). Is there anything out there that we haven't considered that might work for us? [Read more →]( [What estate car with a manual handbrake and traditional key do you recommend?]( Posted by on 31 May, 2023 I'm looking for an estate car with a manual handbrake, traditional key ignition and a CD player (preferably CD autochanger). What are the most recent cars you would recomend? [Read more →]( [What ULEZ compliant small car should I buy?]( Posted by on 30 May, 2023 I need to change my SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive due to ULEZ rules I looked at the Toyota Yaris Cross but it’s too big as I’m barely 5ft tall. I do long distance motorways and small country roads. Not much in town. I’d like good mpg and a satnav. [Read more →]( [Is having only one fog light an MoT failure?]( Posted by on 30 May, 2023 I own a Ford Kuga Titanium PHEV and during its second service the Ford garage found that one of the lamps was not working and asked if I wanted to have the problem investigated at a cost of £105 (they stated that the rear bumper would have to be removed in order to do the investigation). They also stated that it would be an MoT failure. Can you confirm the laws/rules regarding rear fog lamps and if it is an MoT failure? I have noticed that certain cars have only one rear fog lamp together with one reversing lamp. [Read more →]( [Are run flat tyres more susceptible to sidewall damage?]( Posted by on 30 May, 2023 My BMW 428i Convertible has just completed 30K miles - I "celebrated" by buying the 4th & 5th new run flat tyres - all of which have been replaced due to damaged sidewalls. I have never hit any obstruction, it seems that the tyres cannot deal with current driving conditions. In over 50 years of car ownership I have never replaced a tyre with a damaged sidewall on any other car. Is this a common problem? Can I fit conventional tyres to the current wheels? [Read more →]( [Will the DVLA give me the details of a hit and run driver?]( Posted by on 30 May, 2023 If a car damages mine and does not stop will the DVLA give me the name and address of the owner if I have the number plate? [Read more →]( [Can I still drive while my licence is with the DVLA for a medical renewal?]( Posted by on 30 May, 2023 I am now 70 and still use my PCV licence. I sent my licence in for its annual renewal by registered post (signed for) on 24th April 2023 and it was received at DVLA on 26th April 2023. I still haven’t received it back and have, with great difficulty, managed to talk to an advisor twice. The problem seems to be that my licence is with the “health” section and they simply cannot be reached. I had a completely clear D4 medical check and the doctor told me that I had passed the medical. I am fit. I don’t understand why my licence is in the “health” section, waiting. Can I continue to drive? My D4 medical was passed and there is no reason I am not fit to drive. When I check on GOV.UK site and search for, as advised, “can I still drive” it tells me that I should not have any medical problems but my licence is in the “health check” department of DVLA so I don’t know what to do. Can you please advise? [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