What has Honest John been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [My car's start-stop won't work because of a partly discharged battery - would a trickle charger solve the issue?]( Posted by on 29 March, 2018 My 18 month old Mercedes-Benz E-Class won't automatically stop-start anymore due to a partly discharged battery. It's left in my garage for weeks at a time, so it's understandable. I took it for a 120-mile drive, but the battery is still reported as partly discharged. Is there a trickle charger you recommend, and are they safe to leave connected whilst I'm away? [Read more →]( [Should I get a pre-reg car inspected by a mechanic before I buy it?]( Posted by on 28 March, 2018 I'm buying a pre-registered Volkswagen Up (30 miles covered and registered January 2018) from a Volkswagen franchised dealer. Is it advisable to have an independent mechanic check it over? [Read more →]( [Can an insurer combine damage repair costs from two separate accidents to write off a car?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 My father was involved in a collision, causing damage to the nearside rear of his 2016 Ford Fiesta. The third party accepted responsibility and we contacted my father's insurer to inform them. We confirmed that the other party was liable, and provided dash cam footage and photos of the damage. The car was already awaiting repairs for damages done in another incident (at fault) on the front bumper/wing of the vehicle and his insurer has said we'll get it assessed at the same place as it's being repaired. As it's quite badly dented the body shell itself, as well as the rear wing of the car, I'm worried it'll be a write-off. Reading online, I'm seeing a lot to suggest we should've gone directly to the third party's insurance. But my father didn't get the insurance details in the panic, only the guy's name, reg and number. Should we have it assessed at the Trust Ford garage as arranged by his insurance or cancel this and take another route? Also, does the damage to the front, which hadn't yet been repaired, have any bearing on the potential settlement from the other insurer if it is deemed a write-off? [Read more →]( [Is it worth paying more for protected No Claims?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 Is it worth paying a higher insurance premium on my Volkswagen Up to protect 15 years of No Claims Discount? [Read more →]( [Is it possible to get into a car without a key?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 My sister's car was broken into but undamaged. She said that thieves have a device to open any car without causing damage. Is this true? [Read more →]( [Does AdBlue get rid of all the NOx in diesel emissons?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 Can using AdBlue get rid of all NOx from exhaust emissions? [Read more →]( [What is the maximum weight my van can tow?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 Can a Vauxall Vivaro 1.6 120PS legally tow a 1.5-tonne piece of equipment on a large trailer? [Read more →]( [How much does a new cam belt cost?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 I was charged £700 for the fitting of a new cam belt kit on my Ford Focus. Was I overcharged? [Read more →]( [My friend's spare key was stolen - how do we ensure the thief doesn't come back and steal her car?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 A friend of mine has come back from holiday to find her house has been burgled. She took her car with her, but the burglars have taken her spare set of keys for the MINI. We've blocked the car in for tonight, but what should she do about the keys? She's very worried that they'll come back with the spare keys and she'll lose her car too. [Read more →]( [Is it okay to paint brake calipers?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 My daughter has an Abarth 595. She wants to paint the brake calipers red. Is that safe to do? If so, what sort of paint is needed and are there any special precautions to take? [Read more →]( [Can you suggest a product/tyre that protects against kerbing?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 Is there a product that will help protect alloy wheels against kerbing damage? [Read more →]( [Do garages try to sell unnecessary extras when you go for a service?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 I recently took my 2015 Ford Fiesta auto (12,000 miles) for its three-year service at our local Ford dealer. We had agreed a price for the service and MoT, but they asked if I wanted to pay £25 more so they could flush the old oil out properly. They said they recommend that so I went for it, but surely emptying out the old oil should be part of the service. When the car was on the ramp they phoned and asked if I wanted the aircon regassed (£69) and whether I wanted the fuel system flushed out (£40). I declined both. Were they trying to sell me things I didn't need? If it was needed, surely it should be included in the fixed price. I feel as though I was taken for a mug by these 'extras' being offered so late in the process. What do you think? [Read more →]( [What's the minimum mileage a car should do to keep it in good condition?]( Posted by on 27 March, 2018 No single car meets all my needs. I'm prepared to have two, but only cover about 4000 miles a year in aggregate. I'm aware that under-used cars deteriorate badly. What's the minimum mileage a petrol car should do annually to keep it in good condition? [Read more →]( [I hit a car, then another vehicle hit my car afterwards - why am I being charged two excess fees?]( Posted by on 26 March, 2018 I had a collision in the snow on 28 February, which was my fault. While exchanging details with the other party, an out of control tractor drove into the other party’s vehicle, knocking it into mine and causing further damage. Although this was clearly not my fault, my insurer (LV) are charging me two excess fees. Is this right? [Read more →]( [A garage lied about worn brake pads and charged me an extra £750 - what can I do?]( Posted by on 26 March, 2018 I took my Mazda MX-5 in for a service recently. When paying for the service, I was told that the pads were 90 per cent worn and the discs had a lip, so they required changing at the same time. Being surprised at this information because I keep a check on such items myself, I took the car to two independent garages for their opinions. I was told, and shown, that the pads were barely 50 per cent worn and the wear of the discs was negligible. Neither required any attention for perhaps another 20,000 miles. What should my response be to the main dealer for such dishonesty? The extra work cost me £750. [Read more →]( [Is it possible to buy a warranty on an old car?]( Posted by on 26 March, 2018 Where can I get a warranty for a 2006 Lexus RX400h? Most companies seem to have a 12-year cut off for cover. [Read more →]( You are receiving this email because Honest Insights is a publication produced by HonestJohn.co.uk with your requirements and specifications in mind. It provides in depth site analysis comparative with wider industry trends. [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( HonestJohn.co.uk Ltd Unit 1 Eaglethorpe Barns Warmington Peterborough PE8 6TJ