What has Honest John been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [Is the Alpina D3 a good second purchase?]( Posted by on 30 June, 2017 Is the Alpina D3 a good second purchase, what should I look out for? [Read more →]( [Do you know of any alternatives to an obsolete part for my 1990 Ford Fiesta RS?]( Posted by on 30 June, 2017 I own a 1990 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo. A 'suppressor' connected in the fuel injection has broken down causing the engine to cut out due to fuel starvation. The part number number is V90FB 158209 AA Finis code 6548414. It is no longer available. Is it possible to find an alternative part? [Read more →]( [Discovered bodywork damage on manufacturer approved used car - should the dealer repair it?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I bought a manufacturer-approved used car in January of this year, from a dealer some distance away. Recently giving it a good clean, I discovered that the car has previously been in a minor bump (small crease at the base of the B-pillar, minor damage to the leading edge of the rear door, and a botched paint repair to the edge of the sill, all in the same area), which wasn't disclosed by the dealer. The salesman had confirmed condition in an email: "I could not find any other faults in the bodywork or paintwork either. This will be confirmed on cleaning but should anything be an issue, I will have it sorted so the car is as close to A1 condition for you". I don't want this damage to become an issue to me later; do I have any recourse to get this repaired under the Supply of Goods Act? I'm concerned that the dealer will blame me for the damage. [Read more →]( [I have serious safety concerns about Smart motorways - what's your opinion?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I commute along part of the M60, which for the last three years has been in the process of being "upgraded" to a Smart motorway. It has been without a hard shoulder while the work is carried out and almost every day seem to see blue-lit ambulances slowly carving their way between lanes of static traffic. In September 2016, it was widely reported that the cross-party Commons' Transport Select Committee was disappointed that the Department of Transport was "blatantly ignoring" their safety concerns about all-lane running, with the RAC Chief Engineer saying "we fear it won't be long before there is a major tragedy which will cause the government to think again". Has the Department, to your knowledge, made any decision to at least "think again"? [Read more →]( [A driver hit my car and has made up a false witness - how do I ensure I'm not held liable for the accident?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I was involved in a accident earlier this year where I was joining a roundabout. There was a car on the right hand side which was edging forward to join the roundabout and because I could see oncoming vehicles I stayed still. The car on the right joined the roundabout and scraped my car on the way. This is clearly not my fault as I was stand still and in my lane. The other party has now said they have a witness when there was no one walking past, also they drove off after we had exchanged details. I was initially told the insurance claim will go down as shared fault over the phone and I have now had a call from my insurance saying the other party have a witness out of the blue. Are you able to advise on what I can do as my insurance company are not supporting me in any way? [Read more →]( [I made a claim on my friend's insurance policy - will her NCB be affected?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I'm a named driver on a car insurance policy, fully comp. I had a small accident. When the car owner renews their policy I'm no longer going to be a named driver on the vehicle. If I've made a claim on her policy for my accident, will she have to declare the accident on her new insurance? Will her No Claims be affected? [Read more →]( [Do I have to inform my own insurance company about a no-fault accident?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 My car was badly damaged all along its offside while it was correctly parked on the public highway. I was at a meeting some 200 yards away, when I returned the driver responsible had left a note on my windscreen with his details, admitting full liability. His Insurance Company is handling all matters; the overall cost, with my car hire, is some £ 5000. They have asked for the name of my insurance company and my policy number and advised me to inform my own insurers of the damage-only accident. I have a claim-free record, with my insurance due for renewal in three months. Why should I inform my insurer if the other driver and his insurer have admitted full liability (in writing)? Do I need to and is it likely to affect my up-coming premium at renewal? [Read more →]( [If I get my oil changed at an independent garage, will I void the manufacturer's warranty?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 With 5000 miles on the clock, my Land Rover Discovery Sport 150PS calculates that diesel dilution caused by active regeneration of the DPF is currently 4.2 per cent by volume, against a maximum of 7.0 per cent. JLR have reset the service interval indicator under warranty from 8350 additional miles to 19850 additional miles and told me in writing that I should stick to the standard intervals, i.e. the first oil service to be done at 21,000 miles total, or two years if earlier. In the meantime, they say I should ignore the service interval mileage indicator and only take it for an oil change if the car requests one due to the diesel contamination rising towards maximum. This is all well and good but the quote from a local dealer for an oil service was £528.66 and they refused to discuss a price for an abbreviated service involving just the oil and filter. I feel they are treading a fine line in terms of anti-competitive practice. I'll deal with that in due course but at present I'm about to send an oil sample to a laboratory for a report on the actual percentage of diesel present. Under vertical block exemption (VBER), I believe that I can have the oil changed on a new vehicle at any garage, provided that they adhere to the manufacturer's specifications for parts and this will not invalidate the manufacturer's three year warranty. Can you please confirm that I have understood this correctly? [Read more →]( [Do I drive enough to charge the battery of a hybrid car?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I'm considering buying a hybrid vehicle but have been advised by a friend that because I only drive once or twice a week, distances of about 20 miles, a hybrid vehicle may prove problematic. Something to do with the batteries not charging. Your advice would be most appreciated. [Read more →]( [A bodyshop botched a respray of my new van - how should I resolve this?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I bought a new Ford Transit Custom M-Sport from a Ford main dealer in March 2016. In January 2017, the paintwork bubbled in the cold weather. Ford put me onto Van-Sports (M-Sports) who did the bodywork for them (wheel arches, bumper, spoiler, skirting). They cut back and re-sprayed the panels on the vehicle under warranty. When I got it back the colour of all the panels was a noticeably lighter silver than the rest of the van. Also the edge strips are plainly visible and it looks like all the panels are a poor match aftermarket add on. Not factory fitted. I have complained to Van-Sports and Ford, but am struggling to get them to agree to remove the panels or cut back and re-spray off the vehicle so that when put back on there are no visible paint edges and it looks like new, as how I bought it. Should I get it done at my local body shop, then send the bill to Ford for them to resolve? [Read more →]( [What's a 1986 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 worth?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 There's a 1986 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 on eBay at present. What's it worth bidding wise, dont want pay more than its worth in case it's not for me? [Read more →]( [A car I sold was modified by the buyer - am I liable now it's damaged?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I'm a sole trader who recently sold an Audi A3. The buyer said they were having it remapped even though I told them it would void any warranty on the engine, clutch and gearbox. Subsequently, almost straight away it blew up. He now wants his money back, to which I have refused. Am I in the wrong and liable for a refund? [Read more →]( [What small crossover or SUV is best for taking a baby seat?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 With a baby on the way, we are about to outgrow our 2011 Nissan Micra with 30,000 miles on the clock. We have about £10,000 to spend, plus whatever we can get for the Micra. We need an automatic with sufficient room for a 6'1" adult to drive in front of a baby seat. The baby seat is Isofix so takes up about as much room as an averagely tall man. We've been wondering about a compact SUV - perhaps a Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sorento - but is there anything else you would suggest (or suggest avoiding)? [Read more →]( [Are the dealership liable for selling me an electric car that I can't charge?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 A dealership sold us a Nissan Leaf. We didn't have many requirements beyond the basic spec (Acenta 30kw) but did specifically ask prior to order to have the ability to plug into a car charger at a specific location that I visit for work (for free), a photo of all the equipment was sent to the dealership and they confirmed it would work. After purchase it transpired that even with the different adaptors provided, the car could not be charged at this location. The dealership have refused to accept any liability for this. They had the option during the sale to have given us a vehicle with a type two charge point that would have worked without question. They did not. In the meantime Nissan have told us that the only option we had to rectify the situation (an adaptor) cannot be used as it would cause a thermal induction. Should we bother pursuing a complaint through the Ombudsman on this issue. It will probably amount to several hundred pounds after the three years PCP period. [Read more →]( [Need a low cost running car, with a large boot for my cycling business - what do you advise?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I've started my own up-cycling business and I don't want to use a third party. My largest piece is 54-inches long and 45-inches high and pretty heavy, so needs to be able carry considerable weight. Considered a pick up truck but heard they are costly to run and it would also have to be a double cab. Hope you can help advise me. [Read more →]( [Could you recommend an easily accessible car with a wide boot opening for my wheelchair?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I'm a new wheelchair and crutch user who loves driving and this is done mostly alone. My 2003 Ford Fiesta 1.4 is great as the boot opening is wide enough to sit on, take the wheels off the chair and place in the shallow boot with the frame following. Also, there is a boot release on the dashboard a fabulous feature when your balance is shot on crutches. I'm planning for a car change and my nightmare is that many cars have shrunken boot openings so it's impossible to sit and comfortably get the chair in the car. I've discounted many vehicles as the boots have too deep a well - great for stressing the back. Three door cars are best for putting my crutches out of the way behind the drivers seat. SUVs are too high. Ideally I need to design my own based on improving the Hyundai Veloster ie large driver door, two door access other side but with boot with minimal access lip and wide opening. Is there a model that I have missed that I should look at that doesn't shout 'disabled'? [Read more →]( [Do you recommend using a higher grade petrol like Shell V-Power?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 Having read your columns for many years I notice how you advocate the regular use of higher grade petrol. I have a Skoda Octavia Scout 1.8 TSI and inside the fuel door there is a label that says use 95 RON/91 ROZ. I have just seen that Shell V-Power claims 99 RON. Do you still recommend the higher grade? Also can I ask if it is OK to use mineral oil in the engine rather than fully synthetic as it is noisy on start up? [Read more →]( [Why does the filter warning light come up on my Honda Civic diesel?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I bought a Honda Civic diesel in October 2013 and have had filter problems for the past two months. I'm retired and don't drive long distances, so the filter icon lit up on the dashboard. When I took it to Honda, they told me to run it down the motorway and it would clear the filter. I ran it in third gear at about 55mph a few times over about six weeks, but it didn't clear. The engine icon light came on as well. I took it into Honda again, they said they had to regen the engine, or the filter, I don't quite understand what they mean. However, I was told yesterday that the regen didn't work and I've been told that the final bill is £997. Does this not seem a bit steep for a 2013 car? Can you give me any advice? [Read more →]( [What is the best, economical commuting car for £5000?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 I just started a new job in which I'm doing 120 miles a day, mostly motorway, five times a week. What would be the most economical car to commute and what kind of mpg can I get? I can spend around £5000, stretching to a max of £6000. [Read more →]( [What small car is cheap to insure for a teenager with low running costs?]( Posted by on 29 June, 2017 What small car do you recommend for around £6000 - £6500. It must have five doors and five seats. My 18 year old son will also use the car so must be cheap on insurance. I can't decide between a Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio or Honda Jazz. [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. 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