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 to export a UK car to France - how do I insure it for the journey there?]( Posted by on 29 September, 2023 I have recently been given a 61 plate Zafira and I want to export it to my second/holiday/retirement home in France. But I'm having the devil's own job trying to find insurance for the journey down there. I know I will need to get it re-registered as a French vehicle, contact the DVLA here, and pay all taxes etc. I just can't seem to work out what insurance I will need. One day insurance states that journey's must start and end in UK, so no export. And my insurance company for my other car here has said pretty much the same. I couldn't afford to buy the same car in France. [Read more →]( [I received a fine because the expiry date on my Blue Badge wasn't visible - should I appeal?]( Posted by on 29 September, 2023 What is the chance of a successful appeal to The Independent Appeals Service if I have displayed my Blue Badge but the expiry date was not visible? [Read more →]( [Is the Toyota RAV4 easy to break into and steal?]( Posted by on 29 September, 2023 I keep reading about how easy it is to break into and drive away a Toyota RAV4 by removing the headlight and reaching the wiring. Toyota sales people claim to know nothing about this. Any idea what the situation is? I’d rather wait to get a car not so easily stolen. [Read more →]( [Why does my private plate now make my car non ULEZ compliant?]( Posted by on 29 September, 2023 My '55 Registered Audi S4 4.2 Cabriolet was OK for ULEZ on it's original 55 Plate, but having moved it onto an S40 Plate purchased direct from DVLA it is no exempt, how do I fix this? [Read more →]( [Is it worth appealing a PCN when the parking app didn't work correctly?]( Posted by on 29 September, 2023 I received a PCN for not displaying a valid parking ticket but there was an issue encountered when attempting to pay using RingGo, their parking partner, where the payment was approximately 20 minutes after the request was submitted. I used the council’s web portal to submit an online appeal but I did receive any reply, having waited several weeks. Having returned from vacation in early September, there was a Notice to Owner waiting for me. I contacted the council department asking about my initial online appeal, to which I was told it was not accepted and they had written to me. I have never received their reply to my appeal. I asked for details on the content of their letter, I was advised that “It’s a driver’s responsibility to locate a working parking machine to pay for parking, even if that means driving outside of the desired area where a driver would like to park”. I find this to be rather absurd as I specifically mentioned to them I was attempting to pay by CC using their partner app RingGo and the payment kept failing and was only processed approximately 20 minutes after the first attempt. [Read more →]( [Is it expensive to fix the folding roof on a Peugeot 307CC?]( Posted by on 29 September, 2023 I am looking at buying a Peugeot 307CC 2004 plate as it only has 45k miles on the clock but at the moment the roof won’t open. The windows will go down but roof won’t open. I’m being told in most cases it should be a relatively cheap fix but concerned it could be something more serious and expensive. What are the common causes and fixes or should I avoid this car as it might cost me £1000s to fix? [Read more →]( [My Citroen C1 makes a beeping sound when travelling uphill or when cold, what could it be?]( Posted by on 27 September, 2023 I have an automatic Citroen C1. I am getting a beeping sound particularly when the car is cold and/or going up hill. There is no warning sign. It's not seat belts. There is nothing to explain it in the manual. Any ideas? [Read more →]( [Does the transmission oil need to be changed on a DCT automatic?]( Posted by on 26 September, 2023 Have a 68 plate Hyundai i20 1.0 litre petrol with the DCT automatic transmission. It is not a torque converter automatic. Car has done approx 28k miles. Does the transmission oil needs to be changed and if yes at what mileage/age? [Read more →]( [Can I remove my private number plate and scrap my car immediately?]( Posted by on 26 September, 2023 I want to take off my private plate online and then I want to scrap the car. Can I do this immediately? [Read more →]( [The engine in my son's car is ruined, can he still sell the car?]( Posted by on 26 September, 2023 My son’s car’s engine has packed up and is not repairable. Are there any reputable companies that buy cars like this as he cannot afford a new engine ? [Read more →]( [How many Jaguar XK8s are there on the road?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 How many are there on the road and SORN? [Read more →]( [Is water from the exhaust pipe normal?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 I have a 2021 Kia Niro. From new it leaves a small pool of water from the exhaust. I reported this to the dealer who told me that it was nothing to worry about and to ignore it. I have had the car for two years now without any problems but am concerned about this issue. Dealer said water was from AC. Should it do this after each journey? Have you heard of this issue? [Read more →]( [Has Volkswagen sorted all of the DSG issues?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 I remember reading about several issues with the Volkswagen group DSG gearbox. I recall many saying they were best to be avoided. However I believe this was the previous sven-speed incarnation, and the current six-speed version has addressed these issues. Is this the case? If not, what would you recommend? [Read more →]( [What cars come with an opening sunroof?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 My wife is looking for a replacement for her ten year old Kia Venga. She loves the opening sunroof but I am struggling to find anything. Do any cars have opening sunroofs these days. It doesn't have to be brand new, say up to three years old. [Read more →]( [What's a good replacement for a Ford S-MAX?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 After engine failure on my much loved 12 year old Ford S-MAX (the third used petrol Ford in my family to have engine failure) I am looking for a replacement that is more economical, ULEZ compliant, large boot space with fold down rear seats and comfortable driving for occasional long journeys. I’d prefer not to buy another used Ford and wondered if you could recommend a used Japanese/Korean or reliable make car/estate under £6000? [Read more →]( [I only do 5000 miles a year - should I buy a petrol, diesel or hybrid?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 I am looking to buy a new car. I only do about 5000 miles a year. I need a car with a decent size boot. Should I buy a petrol, diesel or hybrid? I have no interest in an electric car as I have no way of plugging it in as I live in a flat. Can you recommend a car with good economy and reliability no more than £30,000? [Read more →]( [Will a VW Tiguan with DSG be reliable?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 I thinking of buying a 10 year old VW Tiguan with 60K miles with a DSG gearbox. Are there any issues with the DSG after this mileage? [Read more →]( [Are Skoda Yeti DSG gearboxes reliable?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 Are DSG gearboxes on Skoda yeti reliable? [Read more →]( [Are DSG gearboxes reliable?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 Are Volkswagen Group automatic gearboxes reliable? [Read more →]( [What is the speed limit in Wales in posted 40mph zones?]( Posted by on 25 September, 2023 What is the new speed limit in posted 40 mph zones I can’t find any definitive answer on this ie 20mph where there are street lights but no mention of 40 zones. Until they actually get round to erecting new signs. [Read more →]( You received this email because you signed up to our mailing list. 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