What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [How much is my Ginetta G33 worth?]( Posted by on 15 June, 2023 What would the trade consider my car is worth? I've owned it for 26 of it's 32 years. It's been driven regularly - usually every 3 weeks max and is in good shape. A difficult car to value, I'm sure, but a couple have been sold at auction recently for around £30,000. [Read more →]( [Should I straighten my wheels when parking?]( Posted by on 14 June, 2023 When I learnt to drive in the 1960s I was told to park with the wheels straight for two reasons: to avoid strain on the PAS in full lock and to facilitate easy exit from a confined space. Is this advice still valid? I understand angling wheels in to the kerb on a steep hill but I often see cars driven into level parking bays and left on full lock. I'm reluctant to park next to them in case the driver forgets how the wheels were left and sideswipes me on the way out. [Read more →]( [Should I pay a fine for not displaying my blue badge?]( Posted by on 14 June, 2023 I have received a demand for £60.00 if paid within 14 days for parking in a (what I thought was a council owned) car park in a marked disabled driver bay. It would appear that I did not display my blue badge. I am now threatened with a £100 fine if I do not pay and the debt immediately to be passed to debt recovery agency at which point additional charges will become due. My thought is: does this not have to go before Magistrates at Court (or a claim before a judge at the Small Claims Court) for a warrant to be issued so that it can be forwarded to debt recovery agents? I have looked at photos on line and I can agree I did not show my badge but this is a big hammer to smash a nut surely! I have read previous comments on HJ which said parking in a car park and overstaying or not paying results in a fine which must be paid but blue badge infractions If there is the opportunity for court would I win or is it an open and shut case? [Read more →]( [Can I keep a hybrid car for 10 years?]( Posted by on 14 June, 2023 I am thinking of buying a new Kia Niro hybrid for when I retire this year and probably keep it for about 10 years. Would it be viable to keep it that long, due to cost of batteries? [Read more →]( [Are Volkswagen vans fitted with DSG automatics?]( Posted by on 14 June, 2023 Are all new vehicles in the VW Transporter range fitted with DSG type auto gearboxes? [Read more →]( [What's the most economical hybrid SUV?]( Posted by on 14 June, 2023 I am interested to know which hybrid SUV has the best MPG? [Read more →]( [What petrol car fo you suggest?]( Posted by on 14 June, 2023 I currently own a 2020 VW T-Cross, which I am happy with but feel it has a little too much technology built in, i.e. lane assist which is not much use on rural road in Mid Wales. I would like to change for a newer 1 year old car, petrol engine, auto gearbox. I am tempted by a VW Polo or Ford Puma but find that the range of petrol engine cars is very limited now. Electric power is not the answer to our problems and not suitable for me, but what cars are available to me now please? [Read more →]( [How do I mothball my Fiat motorhome?]( Posted by on 14 June, 2023 I need to store my motorhome for two years at home under cover. I can move it to stop flats on tyres but am not keen on emptying the radiator as I need to move it for the tyres. What else should I do please? [Read more →]( [Is it safe to have 'new' tyres fitted that are five years old?]( Posted by on 14 June, 2023 I have ordered four new Dunlop tyres for my Jaguar XJ from an online company. The tyres are to be delivered to a nearby Halfords for fitting next week. I am concerned that I may find my new tyres were manufactured some years ago. The online tyre company advised that the “new” tyres could be up to five years old. Is this acceptable? I would accept two years old but if they turn out to be five years old have I the right to reject them? [Read more →]( [What's a good dog-friendly cheap car?]( Posted by on 13 June, 2023 I'm looking for a large dog-friendly car, my budget is around £4000 so looking at old estates and SUVs etc. What is the best option and petrol or diesel? I like the Ford Mondeo and Honda C-RV as an example of each. [Read more →]( [What's the best small car for high mileages?]( Posted by on 13 June, 2023 I need to replace my car. I do 35k miles a year all over the country, have a wife and two kids and a budget of £8000. I want something as economical and comfortable as possible, I am 6'2" . My current Suzuki S-Cross 1.6 has been very good but I am hoping to find something even more economical. I would prefer not to have a diesel as historically have had so many issues with DPF's. [Read more →]( [Is a Ford Mondeo ST220 a good investment?]( Posted by on 13 June, 2023 I run a 2004 Ford Mondeo Ghia X 130 diesel currently and like the spec, reliability and comfort on long distances. Is the ST220 a practical buy to replace this and have a bit more fun in? I do about 4000 miles a year. I think prices are at the bottom and won’t go much lower but would value your view please on whether a buy now is ‘sensible’, what to look for mechanically and what values may do. [Read more →]( [What comfortable but reasonably fast car would you suggest on a £35k budget?]( Posted by on 13 June, 2023 I have owned a sports car as a second car for many years and currently have a BMW M2. Due to advancing years and the poor state of the roads I would like a car with a more pliant suspension but still reasonably fast. I would appreciate any suggestions for a small (the M2 width only just fits my garage) two or four seater car for around £35,000, either new, used or classic. [Read more →]( [What should I replace my Volvo XC70 with?]( Posted by on 13 June, 2023 I wish to update my 2015 Volvo XC70 D5 and am having difficulty finding anything as comfortable/efficient with lots of legroom. It must be an auto, with heated front seats and steering wheel, and have enough room for two cockers in the rear! I am open to a SUV as long as the 'boot' is low enough to accommodate the dogs fairly easily. Some estates that I have tried have rather small seat squabs that do not appear to be comfortable enough for the long journeys that we occasionally make .... nor do they have the 600 mile autonomy that the Volvo has! I have the XC70 plus about £25k .... what would you suggest? [Read more →]( [How much is a replacement battery for a BMW i3?]( Posted by on 12 June, 2023 How much is a replacement main battery for a range extender BMW i3 on a 66 plate? [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