What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [I want a new-ish convertible to replace my old BMW 640d - what do you suggest?]( Posted by on 14 July, 2023 My 2013 BMW convertible has done 39,000 miles and is still going strong. I’m now thinking of selling and buying something newer (say 2-3 years old). I’m happy to add £30,000 to the sale price of my BMW, so purchase price will be in the region of £45k to £50k. I’m considering the BMW 4 and 8 Series and the Mercedes E-Class and older S-Class among quite a few others. What are your views and which one(s) do you think will last 10 more years with the least being spent on them in terms of maintenance and additional parts. [Read more →]( [I've been sent an NIP for speeding but the speed limit sign was obscured - can I appeal?]( Posted by on 12 July, 2023 I have received a Notice of Intended Prosecution - I was travelling at 35mph in a 30 limit, this in a rural area without street lighting. The 30mph repeater sign was partially obscured by a hedgerow. The distance between the 30mph repeater sign and the next, which was a 40mph, was some 500+ yards. The police van was positioned just before the 40mph repeater sign. Is there a minimum/maximum legal requirement for distance between repeater signs? Should repeater signs be maintained so they remain unobstructed or unobscured? Do I have grounds to appeal the speeding prosecution, given the details outlined? [Read more →]( [Why is the dealer not shown as a previous owner on the V5C?]( Posted by on 12 July, 2023 I'm buying a used car. The dealer has the V5C certificate in the name of the previous owner and not in the name of the dealer. Is this correct? Should the dealer not be the registered keeper of the vehicle? [Read more →]( [Do I drive enough miles a year for a diesel?]( Posted by on 12 July, 2023 I'm looking to buy a Citroen C3 Picasso, it's a 2015 diesel, and I was worried I may not do enough miles in it to keep the DPF healthy. I'll be doing about 8000 miles per year and the majority of driving will be on a 10-15 mile stretch with speeds approx 30-40mph at least twice a week, with some short shop trips mixed in and the odd 80 mile run on a-roads maybe twice per month Does the Picasso sound right for me? Are the DPFs in the Picassos known to clog particularly easily or a bit more tolerable? [Read more →]( [What kind of automatic should I choose for a driving school car?]( Posted by on 12 July, 2023 I have a budget of £10k to £11k for an automatic for a driving school car, which auto box is best? DSG, DCT or CVT? [Read more →]( [What would be a good first car for a new driver?]( Posted by on 11 July, 2023 Can you suggest make and model for a first car for a newly qualified 18 year old driver? Low cost please, including insurance (say less than £5k). [Read more →]( [Can I trust my garage to use the right air con gas in my car?]( Posted by on 11 July, 2023 How can I trust a garage charging me for an air con regas to not put the cheaper gas then charging me for the dearer gas? [Read more →]( [What shampoo should I use on a ceramic coating?]( Posted by on 11 July, 2023 When I bought my Cupra Formentor a year ago it was treated with Gen3 ceramic. A bottle of their shampoo was supplied which I have now used up. Can I safely use Meguiars Ceramic Wash and Wax? Although the wax is probably not required, as I have always liked their products or would it be better to order a new bottle of Gen3? [Read more →]( [I need a replacement for a Ford B-MAX that offers better ride comfort?]( Posted by on 11 July, 2023 My wife currently has a Ford B-MAX. It’s great for grandchildren but she no longer wants to drive at night due to the appalling headlights and she would like something that doesn’t expose every imperfection in the road surface. Budget is low £20,000s. What would you recommended? [Read more →]( [Are fuel additives worth it?]( Posted by on 11 July, 2023 Do you recommend any diesel additives? My 2011 Nissan X-Trail 2.0l dCi has done 115,000 miles and is serviced every year but the mpg seems to be getting worse. [Read more →]( [Do modern cars have automatic chokes?]( Posted by on 11 July, 2023 I've just purchased a 72-plate Kia Picanto GT Line S. Do modern cars still have automatic chokes? My immediate area has 30mph camera controlled restrictions and I can poodle along in 5th but on the level and with foot off the accelerator it surges to 40mph so I actually have to either brake or change down to 4th but it does seem like the car is running away. When I first set out from cold, being in 1st and especially 2nd has a similar effect. I'm old enough to relate it to when you pulled out the choke too far I noticed that idling speed is around 950 rpm, which is higher than many cars I've owned and I wondered if that's why the engine is so eager. I didn't buy it from my local Kia dealership but called in at mine and asked one of the service chaps but he stated that 950 was about right; would you concur with that? I of course have the turbo but going back to the 'running away', I assume the turbo doesn't kick in unless there are driver inputs on the throttle? [Read more →]( [Which cars have a torque converter automatic transmission?]( Posted by on 10 July, 2023 Which automatic new cars in the UK still have torque converter gearboxes as many manufacturers seem to be switching to cvt or twin clutch?. [Read more →]( [I need a small reliable automatic with a torque converter gearbox, what are my options?]( Posted by on 10 July, 2023 My wife's Honda Jazz 2012 model needs a new or secondhand gearbox, so I am looking to see what automatic we can buy for around £6500 that will be reliable and a torque convertor auto gearbox What would you recommend should we bite the bullet and replace the Honda? [Read more →]( [Is it worth paying a bit more for a Euro 6 car?]( Posted by on 10 July, 2023 I'm replacing a Skoda Octavia, preferably with another Skoda Octavia or similar. My budget is £10k. I'm thinking I should try and get a Euro 6, but there aren't that many in my price range, so I'm sort of tempted by slightly older cars. Have you got any advice? Like the pros and cons of buying a Euro 5 vs Euro 6? [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