What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [Can I settle a PCP early?]( Posted by on 17 August, 2023 Can you pay off the balance early without penalies with a PCP scheme? [Read more →]( [Is it possible to cause damage to cars by jet washing?]( Posted by on 17 August, 2023 My Mercedes CLK280 was recalled for a sunroof check. When I got it back, the auto-lights failed followed by the interior light and then the sunroof. A swathe of lacquer had been taken off the boot where a tiny amount had been off before hence I only washed it gently. It transpires they had jet-washed the car without my permission and this caused the damage forcing water into the circuit board and taking the lacquer off. They dispute this. In your experience, have you come across this before? Water comes in through the window seals if jet-washed but all the car is water tight in torrential rain etc? [Read more →]( [Will a diesel car with a DPF suit my needs?]( Posted by on 17 August, 2023 I bought a diesel 5 years ago (non DPF) as I was doing 40 miles a day, just commuting for work, 98% of which was motor way speeds. Plus other personal/general mileage. I have changed job since then and now I only do about 20 miles on commute, 60/40 above/below 50 miles an hour. I also do about 40-45 miles round trip for taking the dog to nice places to walk at least four times a week, 98% at national road speeds. I can't afford an electric or hybrid and I live in a first floor flat so I can't charge it either. I need a car that will easily manage a few long up hills which are on my regular travels without having to crawl up. We are a big family too so there can be a fair amount of weight in the car at times. I'm not quite ready to change car as my car has a plenty of life left and I'm not a car snob. I don't know if a petrol car will perform how I want, without being a big, inefficient, tax expensive engine. Will a DPF diesel be suitable? [Read more →]( [I need a car to go off-road but only cover 1000 miles a year - what would you suggest?]( Posted by on 17 August, 2023 I have a need for a small,cheap car that can be used on the road but will mainly be used for travel to and from a small land holding. It wiii seldom go for more than a mile at a time, mostly off road, and will only cover perhaps 1000 miles a year. Speed and comfort are not important, four wheel drive and reasonable load carrying ability is essential. It has been suggested that an old Suzuki Jimny or Vitara would be suitable. Are either of these cars likely to give good service or is there another more suitable reasonably priced vehicle that you could suggest? [Read more →]( [Why is my car ULEZ-compliant but has a high rate of road tax - why?]( Posted by on 15 August, 2023 My Shogun is ULEZ compliant (lower emissions) so why is the road tax £675 pa? Surely it should qualify for lower tax like my friend's Shogun who pays half of what I pay and his car is not ULEZ compliant? [Read more →]( [I need to replacing my ancient Ford Fiesta, what should I choose?]( Posted by on 14 August, 2023 We rather need to replace our high mileage and well worn 2004 Ford Fiesta. Still good to drive and almost completely reliable apart from troublesome front springs. Problem is we live in the sticks, nowhere near EV charging infrastructure and don't want to get involved in such outlay. What we really require is a simple straightforward replacement for our beloved old 4 door hatch Fiesta. We're quite wary of some newer Fords however - an acquaintance has no end of grief with a small 'Eco boost' model that used to be in their possession. Suggestions for new or recent used very welcome. [Read more →]( [Why are EV servicing costs so high?]( Posted by on 14 August, 2023 Just had my 2019 Renault Zoe serviced. Taken aback to be told it needs a routine 12V battery change and brake fluid replacement. Battery is £140 and brake fluid change £340 plus VAT. Told that specialist needed to isolate traction battery for safety - good idea. Add on routine service cost. Total £780. I understood EV ownership should be cheaper the ICE. I feel caught out, though Renault say brakes/battery good for four more years. [Read more →]( [What summer and winter tyres would you recommend?]( Posted by on 14 August, 2023 The tyres fitted to my 2019 Toyota RAV 4 are rubbish. Can you suggest good grip tyres for normal wear and winter tyres as I go to the farm often in the winter? [Read more →]( [How can I upgrade my headlights?]( Posted by on 14 August, 2023 I own a 2019 Nissan Micra. The headlights have always been poor and as my eyesight is not as good nowadays can you recommend a brighter bulb more or less like an LED light? I would appreciate what options I have and at what cost. [Read more →]( [When did Mercedes stop fitting foot-operated parking brakes?]( Posted by on 14 August, 2023 What year did Mercedes stop fitting the foot parking brake to its range of cars? [Read more →]( [Should I change the cambelt on my Ford B-MAX?]( Posted by on 13 August, 2023 I have a 2014 Ford B-MAX 1.6 petrol automatic with 43500 miles. I've been advised that I need to have my cambelt changed do to to the age of the car. What else should the garage change while doing the belt and would you recommend me to have it done? [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