What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [Poor response from the major car ‘supermarkets’]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 It is surprising how many of the major car outlets, come supermarkets, fail to respond to enquiries through Autotrader regarding the service history of the car they’re trying to sell. Should this be an obvious ‘no-no’ from the point of view of the potential buyer? [Read more →]( [My Mk 7 Golf has a catalytic converter issue, should I repair or get a new car?]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 I took my Golf in to an independent garage for its MOT and Service in Feb of this year. It’s a 2015, 1.6 diesel. The garage did not have the tool to reset the service interval in the Golf computer. The day after I got it back the catalytic converter light came on an hour into a four hour journey from Leicester to Brighton. I limped back to Leicester and took it to a local independent VW specialist. They gave it a look over and then reset the light. They suggested driving it and then if the warning light reappeared to come back. Since then I have been to Austria and back and completed a number of long motorway drives. The light came once on whilst I was abroad –after 4 hours driving. But then had gone off the next day. Most recently it came on when I pulled off the drive and the car was cold but the car drove perfectly for the 6 hour motorway trip I then completed. It was still on when I drove for an hour this morning but went off when I started the car to come home! The garage says a new sensor is circa £800 and a new/refurbished cat is several thousand. I have the money to change the car either for a Kamiq or a VW T-Roc I’m thinking. But I really like the Golf! I’m not sure of the wisdom of spending strong money on an eight year old car or the wisdom of spending £20k on something newish to give me a car I like driving – which I have already! [Read more →]( [I need a car with a better ride than my Golf, is a SEAT Arona a better choice?]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 I am thinking of changing my eight year old Golf for a two year old SEAT Arona in the hope of getting a more comfortable ride over our rough road surfaces. Do you think that's a good choice or is there another of the same size you suggest I look at? [Read more →]( [What estates or SUVs are similar to the Audi A6 Avant?]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 I am looking for an Audi A6 Avant or something similar. Could you suggest an alternative? [Read more →]( [I had an accident in a courtesy car, what do I do?]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 My car was having a clutch fitted, the garage lent me a car. A courier company vehicle (I think in training) drove into my lane on a busy roundabout forcing me to break sharply and collide with them (my left bumper into their right rear). They aren't accepting responsibility. I am insured by Privilege, which includes: the Policyholder (Main Driver) may also drive with the owner's permission a motor car not owned by them and that is not a hire, rental or courtesy car, unless we have provided or arranged it; and not hired or leased to them under a hire purchase or annual leasing agreement. Privilege say I am only covered with them for third party for damage to the courier vehicle as it's a car loaned to me and that I need to make a claim through the courier's insurers myself. The garage say insurers tend to tell to avoid cost on their part and that I should pursue them. Might you know where I stand legally please? [Read more →]( [Is there a hybrid that doesn't have a noisy CVT gearbox?]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 I want to buy a comfortable SUV style if possible car, I have owned a Yaris Cross 4WD and A RAV 4 AWD both new in last three years, although I liked both machines I find the CVT noisy in both and also the Yaris a little bit hard on suspension. What could you suggest for a comfortable SUV style car hybrid that is not as noisy as the CVT on a Toyota? [Read more →]( [Can I fit winter tyres on steel wheels to my Honda CR-V?]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 My 2018 Honda CR-V is fitted with 245/45 R19 tyres. I'm planning to drive in Germany during December and so I need to buy winter tyres. When I looked in the manual it only spoke about snow chains fitted to either 225/65 R17 or 225/60 R18 tyres. I wanted to buy tyres and rims so I wondered if I could fit 18inch steel rims with 225/60 R18 tyres? [Read more →]( [Do I need matching brands of pads and discs when replacing brakes?]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 My Subaru Outback is in need of a braking overhaul. On their websites I can see pads and discs from Brembo, Pagid, and Delphi, but I can't find a supplier. One of the local garages will offer Delphi discs and Brembo pads, the main agent will do all Subaru (ouch!) or Brembo discs and Subaru pads, and a garage I picked up from the Pagid site didn't return my call. Where can I find a supplier of all parts from one manufacturer or am I being unnecessarily cautious? [Read more →]( [What is the best year and model of Toyota Yaris?]( Posted by on 1 September, 2023 I’m looking at purchasing an automatic Yaris or Yaris Hybrid. From research and asking around it seems like the 1.4/1.5 engine is the best to go for. However, my budget is £8k - £10k and getting this engine within this price doesn’t seem feasible. Which alternative years/engines could you recommend of the Yaris that would have the same or similar reliability, reduced rev humming, fuel efficiency etc. [Read more →]( [Can I use winter tyres above 7 degrees C?]( Posted by on 31 August, 2023 I'm considering winter tyres this year. I have read that they are only to be used below 7 degrees C. If we have a warmer day and the temperature goes above 7 degrees can the car still be used? Will there be any issue with Police or insurance etc if using tyres above their given operating temperature? [Read more →]( [Why is the VED on my Suzuki Swift so high?]( Posted by on 31 August, 2023 I own a 2013 5 door Suzuki Swift and road tax is supposed to be £35 per year, yet I'm being charged £150. Many cars in the Suzuki range have the same 1242cc engine but are also £35 per year, am I being overcharged? [Read more →]( [Is it worth getting an ECU remap on my Mazda?]( Posted by on 31 August, 2023 Is it worth remapping my 2020 Mazda 6 Skyactive 165ps? [Read more →]( [Why won't the traffic announcements in my Audi stay on?]( Posted by on 31 August, 2023 I have an Audi TT, and although I select traffic announcements in the correct way, they usually turn off when the ignition is turned off the next time, and so I select for each journey. Any thoughts ? [Read more →]( [Can you recommend a replacement wing mounted aerial supplier?]( Posted by on 31 August, 2023 I have a 1986 Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 convertible 1.8i petrol which has an offside front wing mounted, powered retracting aerial i.e. radio on/off makes aerial go up/down. It has stopped working and an auto electrician has confirmed it's just the aerial part that's faulty and needs replacing. So far i've been unable to source a suitable replacement but am awaiting a reply from Autovaux parts to see if they can help. Are you able to suggest a suitable replacement aerial and supplier please? I've already tried usual suspects such as Halfords, plus Vauxhall Green Parts who took remaining parts stock off Vauxhall when the Cavalier ceased production, and the Mk2Cav.com forum. [Read more →]( [Can I import a Toyota Land Cruiser 70 series from Africa or Australia?]( Posted by on 31 August, 2023 Could I import a 70 series Land Cruiser from somewhere where thet are still on sale - Australia or an African country - and use it in roads in the UK, even though it does not meet emissions regulations? [Read more →]( [Do mild hybrid batteries degrade after a period of storage?]( Posted by on 31 August, 2023 I am considering buying a pre reg vehicle which is a 48V mild hybrid / petrol type. There are plenty available with delivery mileage some of which are 22/72 registrations and obviously have been standing for some months without use. Is this period of idleness likely to have had an adverse affect on the 48V battery? [Read more →]( [Can I cancel a lease vehicle if it was not delivered?]( Posted by on 30 August, 2023 I ordered a Range Rover Sport lease vehicle in March this year. It was a previously cancelled order, which I acquired, so I managed to jump the queue a bit! Long story short - I got a confirmed delivery date of 11th August. Everything in place and good to go, including me purchasing insurance. 4 days away from delivery it was postponed. No reasons made available and my broker claims not to know why. Not able to provide me with any details of a possible new delivery date. I have threatened to cancel the order as I cannot wait indefinitely only to be told "Our company policy is that a cancellation fee is requested, should a customer cancel a vehicle order, as per our order Ts and Cs, this would be a fee equating to 3 months rentals" Can they do this? I'm not technically cancelling, they are just not fulfilling the order and delivering my vehicle anytime soon and they cannot explain any reasons why. I've been advised to walk away from the purchase and if they tried to pursue me for 3 months rental (a significant amount I might add!) they wouldn't have a leg to stand on. [Read more →]( [We're buying a second hand car for £4,000 and do lots of short journeys, what would you suggest?]( Posted by on 30 August, 2023 We're looking to buy a car for around £4,000. Looking to do about 4,000 miles a year mainly short journeys with the odd long journey. Any suggestions of reliable models and makes that we should look at given the low budget we have? [Read more →]( [Is using Shell V-Power once every five tanks worth it?]( Posted by on 30 August, 2023 Is a tank of Shell petrol V power every 5th fill worth it? Does it have a decent cleaning effect over one tank of fuel? Should I go with it consistently? [Read more →]( [Do we have to buy a replacement vehicle for a 3rd party?]( Posted by on 30 August, 2023 My disabled daughter reversed into a van parked opposite our drive and dented the side door, rail, sill, and rear panel. It is still drivable but the side door is unusable. The van is a 30 years old VW transporter, riddled with rust and with MOT advisories on the chassis. It is used as a business vehicle by the sole trader owner every day. A body shop has declined to repair it, insurance will undoubtedly write it off for a few hundred pounds at best. The owner says she needs a replacement asap and will forward us prices for a replacement vehicle! We can't afford it. Where do we stand? [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