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 have a courtesy car while my car is in for recall work?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2024 My Honda Civic has a recall needing minimum 2 days work. Car is just over 3 years old. Will I be entitled to a hire car? [Read more →]( [Are car auctions open to the public?]( Posted by on 12 January, 2024 Most auctions require you to be a trader, how can I access one of these auctions? [Read more →]( [What's a suitable car for a retired couple?]( Posted by on 11 January, 2024 We are in our mid 60s and retired but active and we are looking to reduce our motoring costs. We currently drive a 14 year old Nissan Qashqai 2.0 litre petrol, automatic. My wife likes the higher driving position but we would like a reasonable small 4/5 door hatchback for us to pootle around and make several annual motorway journeys to our scattered family. We have a budget of about £4000 - £7000. Can you recommend anything? [Read more →]( [Should I use main dealer or independent servicing for my car?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 My Skoda Karoq is nearly three years old. I’ve only done 20,000 miles and it’s running well. As car prices have increased considerably in the last three years I intend to pay the balloon payment at the end of the PCP term and keep the car. My concern is whether to choose independent or dealer servicing going forward as the car moves out of warranty. There is no service book. I’m told it's a digital record only available to Skoda dealers. I’m also concerned that a traditional mechanic will not be able to update the software. [Read more →]( [Our numberplate was cloned and we received a parking ticket, what can we do to appeal?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 My wife recently received a parking fine from Euro Carparks for overstaying in a Sainsbury’s car park in Surrey. At the time the vehicle was parked on our drive in Northumberland and we have time stamped videos from a neighbours door cam to prove it. It would appear that the number plate had been cloned. She reported it the police and DVLA but Euro Carparks are insisting the notice of fine is correct. She has contested the notice but this does not appear to help. There does not appear to be a contact number or email in the notice to prove the vehicle in question is not hers. I am at a loss as to what to do next. Can you suggest what we should do next? [Read more →]( [Have I been overcharged for a headlight cable reconnection?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 I have just had my Dacia Sandero Stepway Laureate MoT'd by the local Dacia dealer and found I have been charged £110 to re-connect the headlight cable, details on invoice - CHECKED HEADLAMP ADJUSTMENT CABLE 110.00 DETACHED, REATTACHED AND TESTED OK Requirement Subtotal 110.00) According to comments in the Dacia Forum, this is a common problem with the Sandero and a 2 minute fix, do you think I have been excessively overcharged, also charged £21.44 for a single nearside windscreen wiper blade. [Read more →]( [What cars have the best ride?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 My wife has had a major spinal operation which means that she struggles with the pot holes and other imperfections in the road. Which car would best dampen these effects and give her a ride that stands a chance of being comfortable? [Read more →]( [Should I buy a bi-fuel car?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 I'm wondering if it would be worth my while buying a new Bi Fuel vehicle. I have a LPG garage 3 miles from me, but will it still be there considering the UK has promised to drop all ICE by 2030?. [Read more →]( [Does the Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV have a wet belt system?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 I'm thinking of buying one of these but a bit put off by stories of the 'Ecoboom' engine! Does this model have an internal wet belt (apparently the root cause of the exploding engines) or an external timing belt (more reliable, probably)? [Read more →]( [What tyres will give a longer life?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 I currently drive a Volvo XC60 2020 with 27,000 miles It is fitted with Pirreli P Zero tyres, they wear evenly but I only get 15000 miles out of the front tyres and the back ones are still the original ones. Can you recommend a tyre that would have a longer life? [Read more →]( [Is my Hyundai warranty invalid if I get my car serviced elsewhere?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 I just purchased a Hyundai Kona, the seller said remember to get it serviced as it's coming up to is 50,000 miles so I put it into Halfords. I was in the Hyundai garage today and the sales person said if you take it to Halfords to get it serviced it invalidates my warranty - is this correct? [Read more →]( [Why did the emissions for the Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec change?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 The emissions on the Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec were 120g/km, which put it in band C, Euro 5 and £35 tax. Then in Jan 2015 the emissions suddenly went to 122g/km and went into band D, Euro 6 and £150 tax. I understand the emissions scenario, but were the emissions manipulated. I was going to buy a Ford Fiesta, but it was £150 to tax, but found one registered two days earlier at £35 to tax! [Read more →]( [How do I renew my driving licence without a passport?]( Posted by on 10 January, 2024 My driving licence is due for renewal this June. I cannot apply for a renewal online because I do not have a passport. My questions are: Do the DVLA send a timely reminder out about this? Can I renew before I receive a reminder? If the licence is delayed after the renewal date due to the DVLA taking their time, can I still drive without it having been returned? [Read more →]( [What's the best small automatic car to buy with the lowest insurance rating?]( Posted by on 9 January, 2024 What's the best small automatic car to buy with the lowest insurance rating. My insurer no longer insure my Toyota Auris Hybrid Automatic (my present car) because they say that particular model is an insurance risk. So I'm thinking of changing my car because the insurance quotes I'm getting from other insurance companies are exorbitant. [Read more →]( [Should I choose a low mileage car over one with a higher mileage?]( Posted by on 9 January, 2024 I’m looking at two Jaguar E-Paces, one 2018 with 70K and one 2019 with 40K. Should the difference in mileage urge me to purchase one over the other? [Read more →]( [Why does my Kia Picanto Mark 2 automatic have a slow creep speed?]( Posted by on 9 January, 2024 I have recently bought a 2017 Kia Picanto SE automatic (Mark 2 not mark 3). I learnt to drive in a Polo and the Picanto feels very different when first starting off. The initial forward creep speed barely registers on the speedometer - maybe 1or 2mph. I have to gently press the accelerator to get any useful motion. I raised this with my Kia dealer when I was having some other work down and they said it was a safety feature of this year and model of car. Is that correct? If so how is it supposed to work? Its frustrating to have to keep slowly depressing the accelerator in slow moving traffic and it really doesn't feel like much of a safety feature. Does applying the service brake fully switch normal creep speeds off so that I should use less pressure or is there some other variable I'm not aware of? [Read more →]( [What mid-price tyres would you recommend?]( Posted by on 9 January, 2024 Have been using Continentals and have had a few punctures and although the tread was hardly worn the side walls have perished due to usual short journeys, so garage said they were unsafe and not worth repairing. Got a puncture again today and AA guy said it wasn't worth getting Premier tyres for the amount of short journeys we do (barely 5,000 miles a year) again because the side walls perish prematurely. He suggested using mid-price tyres, but it's a minefield and wondered which brands you would suggest please? [Read more →]( [How do I know when I need to top up my AdBlue?]( Posted by on 9 January, 2024 Am I able to monitor the ADBlue my car has in reserve within its vehicle tank and if so how do i do this [Read more →]( [Will Nissan sell the Cube in the UK again?]( Posted by on 9 January, 2024 Does anyone know if Nissan will be making the Cube for the UK market again? I used to have a Suzuki Wagon, then a Renault Kangoo. I need a car which is not too big but has a high driving position (due to spinal problems). I do love the square looking cars mainly because I find them easier to park! They seem out of favour at the moment which is a shame. [Read more →]( [Are space saver spare wheels worth it?]( Posted by on 9 January, 2024 Spare space saver wheels? Are they a worthwhile purchase? [Read more →]( You received this email because you signed up to our mailing list. 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