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 transmission fluid need changing in my BMW?]( Posted by on 22 September, 2023 I have a BMW 220d xDrive auto Active Tourer. It is 8 years old and has done 103,000 miles. I am advised by BMW that there is no requirement to ever change the auto transmission oil but a local autobox specialist says it should be done every 40,000 miles? I would appreciate your advice [Read more →]( [How often should I replace the fuel filter on my car?]( Posted by on 22 September, 2023 How often does the fuel filter on my MINI Countryman 1.6d 2013 need changing? [Read more →]( [My car's emission engine light is on, how do I get this to go out?]( Posted by on 22 September, 2023 Is it true I have to keep going on long journeys to clear this sign? [Read more →]( [Which is cheaper to run, a hybrid or an EV?]( Posted by on 22 September, 2023 Which is the cheapest fuel cost, a hybrid doing 66 mpg or a full electric car? [Read more →]( [What trickle charger would you recommend?]( Posted by on 22 September, 2023 Which trickle charger would you recommend for use on an Hyundai I30? [Read more →]( [If I am disabled do I get a 50% discount on new car registration tax?]( Posted by on 22 September, 2023 I'll be getting delivery of a new car in January and was wondering if you could tell me whether I can get a reduction on the first registration tax through being disabled. I normally get a get a 50% reduction on the annual tax, so can I get this reduction on the first year's tax of £200 and the £55 first reg fee. I can't find the answer on the DVLA web site. [Read more →]( [How often should car air conditioning be serviced ?]( Posted by on 21 September, 2023 How often should the aircon be serviced on my car? [Read more →]( [Can I switch off the audible alarm for exceeding speed limits?]( Posted by on 21 September, 2023 I have just purchased a new car that produces an audible alarm the moment I exceed the designated speed limit. Whilst annoying I can live with that however it is governed by the sat nav and can pick up roads nearby with lower speed limits thus setting it off constantly. Same problem where there are schools with temporary 20 mph restrictions. It appears this can't be turned off. Can a car be rejected on the grounds that this isn't reliable and can be a distraction? [Read more →]( [What is the timing belt and DSG oil change interval on my VW?]( Posted by on 21 September, 2023 I have a 71 Volkswagen T-Roc convertible with the 1.5 engine. There is so much confusion on this with timing belt change intervals of life/140,000 miles and different answers from different VW dealers. Is the safest approach to change the belt on my engine at 5 years or 70,000 miles and should you change the water pump as well? Also I believe this car has the DQ200 gearbox which has been troublesome in the past. Do this require a gearbox fluid change and if so at what mileage - again I’ve seen 40,000 quoted and also that it’s sealed for life and can’t be done. [Read more →]( [My VW Touran has required several expensive repairs with potentially more to come, is it time to sell?]( Posted by on 21 September, 2023 I've just paid £685 to have a fuel injector replaced on my 64-plate Touran with 49,800 miles on the clock. Earlier this year I had to have all the glow plugs and a wheel sensor replaced (£700+). The car has been properly serviced at the required intervals. My mechanic (VW specialist independent) has told me that when an injector starts to fail it stresses out the other injectors and they all tend to fail. He's also muttered something about needing to be careful with the diesel particulate filter because that is usually the next thing to need replacing (more than £1k). He said they see quite a lot of 1.6 engines with the same issues. And of course I need to have the timing belt replaced around now - another £700. I've driven VWs for 40 years and never known anything like it. I'm presuming that the best thing to do is valet it and PX it immediately. Thoughts, please, on the situation and what to replace this pristine-looking pig of a car with. [Read more →]( [Why has my car insurance increased so much this year?]( Posted by on 20 September, 2023 My insurance premium has doubled in 12 months, for a Toyota Touring 2.0 Hybrid. I am 74, with 57 years driving and a clean licence, as well as being an IAM member. The premium for a friend who also drives a Hybrid has doubled in the last year. I am told by my insurer it is because of an increase in the cost of spares. Is that true? And why have premiums increased so much, or am I alone? [Read more →]( [Do petrol cars have particulate filters?]( Posted by on 20 September, 2023 Do petrol cars have particulate filters which can clog? I have a Hyundai i30 2018. A light came on the dash board and when I took it to the workshop they said its particulate filter so I have to run it on the motorway to clear it. I did that and the light went off. Three months later the light has come on again. I thought its only diesel cars that have particulate filters. I used to have a diesel car and because of that I changed it to petrol, because I drive it mainly in the city. I need help please. [Read more →]( [Where can we get the sat nav on our Skoda updated?]( Posted by on 20 September, 2023 We both need to update our respective 2014 Skoda Yeti sat navs which are more than five years old. Where do we get it from? [Read more →]( [My new car has paintwork damage - what are my rights?]( Posted by on 19 September, 2023 I took delivery of a new car from a franchised dealer with a scratch on the paintwork which I pointed out at the time. What are my rights and best strategy to negotiate a solution with the dealer? [Read more →]( [I need to replace my BMW 420i for something with a higher driving position, what do you suggest?]( Posted by on 19 September, 2023 I have a BMW 420i grand coupe. I’ve had it since 2016. I really love it but I have arthritic knees and I’m finding it too low. Reluctantly, I think I’ll need to change it for a car with higher seats, maybe an SUV. What would you recommend please? BMW’s are now so expensive. I was wondering if there is a better value car that would be just as lovely to drive and smart inside. It’s just me and the dog in it usually. [Read more →]( [I'm selling my Renault Laguna, what's the best way to do this?]( Posted by on 18 September, 2023 The time has come to sell my lovely reliable and comfortable Renault Laguna. It has been owned since new (2007) and is a diesel with 211000 miles. It has passed its MOT and is good to June 2024. There's a full service history. The car interior and exterior are okay for the age of the car. Its not been in any accidents. What is the best way to sell the car? And what sort of price can I expect? [Read more →]( [Does my manual MINI need a gearbox service?]( Posted by on 18 September, 2023 Does my MINI Countryman manual 2013 1.6D need a gearbox service? [Read more →]( [Will the stop-start system on my Fiesta damage my engine?]( Posted by on 18 September, 2023 Does the auto start/stop system wear out the engine quicker and turbo? Also, what kind of battery does it have? And has the starter motor been made stronger to within the stop starts? And what the system cuts the engine while stopping does it stop the oil returning to the sump so when it starts back up there is no oil in the turbo? [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