What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [What is a good car safety windscreen breaker to buy?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2023 Car safety window breaking tool, any views where to buy from? [Read more →]( [Will a broken DRL be an MoT failure?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2023 One DRL light is out, will this cause a fail for an MoT? It's on a 2013 Nissan Note. [Read more →]( [What could be the cause of my engine's loss of power?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2023 I own a Renault Kadjar Dynamique Nav DCI with a 1461cc engine on a F plate. It is in what I believe is known as Limp Mode. There are 2 warning lights showing...'check injection' and 'check anti-pollution system'. My local garage has changed the oil and filter done a DPF regeneration and checked the working of the sensors. The garage can turn off the warning lights but they very soon reappear. The car is underpowered and struggles on inclines....it seems that the turbo does not want to engage. The cost of a new turbo is likely to be something approaching £1000 and so I do not want to spend that sort of money if that is not a guaranteed solution. I wonder if anyone has come across a similar issue with a Renault diesel and if so how they were able to solve the problem. [Read more →]( [If I change from 20-inch to 18-inch wheels will this improve ride comfort?]( Posted by on 10 November, 2023 I have recently purchased an Audi A7 on 20-inch wheels. If I replace the wheels for 18-inch wheels would I achieve a greater level of comfort? Would you recommend run flat tires on 18-inch wheels? [Read more →]( [How long before my Euro 5 compliant petrol car becomes an issue?]( Posted by on 9 November, 2023 I'm a satisfied owner of a 2010 Euro 5 compliant petrol Audi A5. It's been fully serviced from new, still runs completely fine and comfortably meets all my driving needs. I commute into the London ULEZ zone, but my car is compliant so that's fine. For my next car I want to go electric, as it seems daft to buy into another petrol or diesel car now, but prices are still very high and frankly none of them appeal to me as a suitable replacement for my A5 coupe for a price I could pay, so I'd rather wait a few years for prices to fall and some more interesting models to come along. However, I have a couple of more expensive maintenance jobs coming over the horrizon, e.g. the clutch probably needs doing soon. So my question is how long is my Euro 5 petrol engine likely to stay compliant with ULEZ and other similar legislation? In the past I would have assumed that any changes would be signalled years in advance, but the zone expansion happened very quickly so I'm not so sure now. Realistically, what's the quickest that things might change and make my current car financially unworkable? Just trying to work out how much time I'm buying if I spend on my current car now as I'd hate to drop a couple of grand on it, only to find out I have to replace it a few months later. [Read more →]( [Are hire cars ULEZ compliant?]( Posted by on 9 November, 2023 A friend in Australia who is travelling to the UK asked me if hire cars are ULEZ compliant. Personally I would have thought so as they are unlikely to be older than four or five years but do you have any information on this subject. I have not seen it discussed anywhere else. [Read more →]( [My car insurance company is asking if I drive at peak times, will the pay out if I say no?]( Posted by on 9 November, 2023 Another crafty move by car insurance companies. Asking the question 'do you drive at peak times?' When you are retired you try and avoid peak times so you put 'no', but what happens if you are driving in peak times and have a claim, will they pay out? But it's another way to increase your premium as it will increase if you put yes [Read more →]( [When should I sell my car?]( Posted by on 8 November, 2023 I've a 2014 Alfa Guiletta on 107k miles, which has had replacement front and rear suspension arms in last 18 months, new battery two years ago. It's reliable and I've not had any breakdowns. In a year I'll have to get the timing belt changed for a cost of £500ish. Question is, do I get it changed, or sell before? I doubt the car will be worth much more than £1.5k by that time. If can get another 2-3 years out of the vehicle I'd rather do that than buying something newer. But could this car become a money pit? [Read more →]( [Can I keep my personal registration if the car is stolen or written-off?]( Posted by on 8 November, 2023 For possible future reference, how can a personal registration be retained if the car is stolen or beyond economic repair after an accident? [Read more →]( [What's the best five door hybrid for up to £11,000?]( Posted by on 7 November, 2023 My daughter has just passed her test and is looking for an automatic, petrol, possibly self-charging petrol car. Her budget is £11,000. Could you please recommend a few cars for mainly town driving please? [Read more →]( [Can I use my Nextbase dashcam in my New Volvo XC40?]( Posted by on 7 November, 2023 Last week I took delivery of my new XC40, It is a lovely car and I am sure I will enjoy a long ownership. However when I asked the dealership staff about getting them to hardwire my Nextbase dash cam in to the car they told me that Volvo will only hardwire another brand. The brand they will use is Roadhawk which may well be ok but I already own a perfectly good Nextbase. They said that anything other than Roadhawk could be detrimental to the car's electronic systems causing problems in various areas of the car. If this happens the warranty could be affected. To me this sounds like the Volvo dealership network trying to make a sale of their preferred product, at a cost of £200 to £300, and using scare tactics to achieve this. Would it cause any harm to the car if I were to plug my Nextbase into the dashboard 12 volt socket and continue to use it in my new Volvo? [Read more →]( [My Toyota Auris has weak headlights, what can I do?]( Posted by on 7 November, 2023 I have a 65 plate 2016 Toyota Auris Touring Sports Hybrid. I'm extremely happy with it with one exception, the headlights. They are dangerously weak, especially on high beam. I drive a lot on unlit A and B roads and as I get older I am finding it harder and harder to see a safe distance ahead. Are there any aftermarket solutions that could help me? Many thanks. [Read more →]( [At what age should you replace tyres?]( Posted by on 7 November, 2023 I have a 2015 Honda CR-V which still has its original tyres. They passed easily at the last MoT with a tread of between 3-4mm. Externally there is no damage. I recall reading somewhere that old tyres should be replaced. What is your opinion please? [Read more →]( [I have seen a car for sale on Facebook but the same car is advertised in multiple locations - is this a scam?]( Posted by on 7 November, 2023 I saw a Suzuki Jimny for sale on Facebook Marketplace which i was interested in, so sent a reply to the ad. While waiting for a reply I started scrolling further down the page and noticed the same vehicle was being advertised in four different parts of the country, what's going on here? [Read more →]( [Can I tow my car home if it has failed its MoT?]( Posted by on 7 November, 2023 My car has failed its MoT and I want to get it to my house without paying a recovery company. It is still taxed and insured, my licence allows me to tow a trailer. Can I tow the car home using a rigid bar? [Read more →]( [Can I get a discount on car tax if I receive PIP?]( Posted by on 7 November, 2023 Can car owner who receive PIP benefit claim a reduced car tax? [Read more →]( [My engine light is on, the garage says it is an EGR fault, what can I do?]( Posted by on 7 November, 2023 I have a 2009 Peugeot 3008, 1.6 HDI with 110,000 miles recorded. I have owned it for three months. Recently the engine light has come on several times, and gone off again, and then came on permanently, listing an EGR fault although the car showed no adverse signs or effects.. I have had the car checked at a local garage, and the fault cancelled and have been advised to use better quality fuel, (Shell V max etc). Is this a common fault? [Read more →]( [What first car would you recommend for our teenage daughter?]( Posted by on 6 November, 2023 Our daughter turns seventeen next month and driving lessons are booked. The family car is an automatic. With a budget of between £5000-£6000, what would you recommend we focus our attention on for her to learn/practice with, and as a first car beyond, which are also 'insurance friendly'? [Read more →]( [How can I sell my Category N car?]( Posted by on 6 November, 2023 I am trying to sell my Category N Audi A3 saloon 1.8 S Line, a 2015 car with 55,000 miles on the clock. I am struggling to sell it, could I please get an estimation on what it's worth and best ways to sell a category car? It has been repaired to a very high standard. [Read more →]( [My EV gives an indicated range that is less than the claimed maximum, should I be concerned?]( Posted by on 6 November, 2023 I have just bought a Kia Soul EV 2021 with a stated max range of 280 miles. I have done several long journeys and charged to 100% (normally charge to 80% when using it locally) When at 100% it gives approx 240 as max range, and only producing approx 220 miles. I have owned an EV prior for 2 years and understand warm weather range and winter range. So far it has not been cold, and I do not do long journeys at night(no headlights required) My previous car when fully charged always declared the max range. I am concerned that there is an issue. Should I be ? [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