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Honest John Ask Honest John » August 2012
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Trending topics in August 2012
4x4s automatics buying classic cars diesel particulate filter diesels dual mass flywheel family cars insurance large cars legal advice legal issues maintenance and servicing new cars owning reliability small cars technical issues used cars wheels and tyres
Questions from August 2012
Retired lady (67), husband no longer driving so we want to change our Toyota Yaris (09) 1.33 for small automatic. Insurance quotes are similar. Car Tax is £90/£170. Don't know about fuel economy. I would...
I purchased a used VW from a VW dealer in March 2012. In August I had my car impounded by the DVLA because unknown to myself the car was actually untaxed since February 2012. When I bought the car I was...
Have had many problems after the injector replacement under recall - DPF light constantly on and car often at the garage for regeneration - and then the DPF light comes back on after driving a few miles....
I have just bought a Renault Kangoo 865D van. It has 102k on the clock, I have been unable to establish whether the cambelt on the vehicle has been changed. As my local garage advises changing after 72k,...
Dear Honest John, I have the opportunity to purchase a fine example of a very low mileage 2002 Jaguar XK8 convertible which has had one private owner from new. It is in excellent condition and has been...
When do I change the timing belt on Citroen Xsara 1.6hdi?
I have had my Kia Carens for 8 months based on your advice. I am thinking of changing the car as I am getting to know my driving preferences and partly due to increase in my insurance premiums. The car...
My husband drove onto a road where there were loose chippings, driving 10 miles an hour, and the chippings damaged my rear brakes - costing me £192. The council are blaming the contractors, but surely...
I am looking at buying a 6 month old ex-BMW management approved 320d with 2k or 4k miles. I have no idea how the car has been driven. Will there be any issues if it has not been driven too carefully? Tending...
Just had a shock quoted £229 for a FIRST service on my daughter's 61 plate Peugeot 107 urban 3 door. How on earth can Peugeot sanction that?
I bought a 2nd and car from a well established garage in London. I then had the police seize the vehicle from me when I returned home, as it had a stolen engine, gearbox and wheels! The guy who part exchanged...
I want to replace my 18 inch wheels and tyres for 16 inch ones from 225 profile to to 205/55 R16/ BMW dealers are telling me the smallest wheel size that will fit my 330D is a 17inch, but I don't believe...
I am bringing a LHD vehicle to the UK - do I need to take any action with the ligts?
I have a Toyota RAV4 estate 2002. I wish to purchase 4 winter tyres and would like to know if there is a make you can recommend. The tyre size is 215/70R 16. I am obviously looking for good performance...
I have about £5000 to spend on a diesel 4x4. I am looking at Landrover Freelanders and Nissan X trails. Which would be best and are there any others I should consider?
A colleague at work had her car shunted in the door it is an 05 plate. She made an insurance claim and arranged to have the repair done by the insurance co.. She took the car in for repair last Wednesday....
The auto reverse gear usually engages first time but occasionally when I stop, leave the engine running putting it into neutral and then into reverse again it will not engage, just O comes up on the dash....
I don't like estates and 4.5m standard cars because they are difficult to maneuver in the big cities and I'm going to be a parent for the first time so I need a MPV, because that can take a standard pram...
I own a StreetKa and the problem is that it keeps cutting out when stopping at junctions and also when setting off. Can you help please?
I'm the first owner of my car, registered in 1991 (J Reg) with 207,000 miles on clock. Recently MOT'd, but needs some work, particularly on part corroded sub-frame. If my car would be of interest to enthusiasts,...
I recently made and insurance claim following an accident where I was stationery and the third party was travelling at relatively low speed. I was judged to have been at fault which is an everyday motoring...
I have a 56 plate 2.5 AWD Auto Jaguar X-Type, approaching 60,000. Do I need to be thinking about cam drive - i.e. belt or chain?
Almost every 1+ year old Nissan, Subaru or Toyota I've looked at seems to have plenty of rust underneath, particularly on the exhaust. Is there any reason for this (and doesn't it impact on Japanses cars...
About to take delivery of a new Honda Jazz and want to fit All Season tyres immediately. Is my Honda dealer likely to give me a part exchange allowance on the unused tyres?
PCN received in hire car for not displaying my parking permit. Demand for charge plus admin fee (which is more than the charge) received from hire company who have paid the charge and say they will charge...
I am selling my car to a dealer and was wondering if I am within my rights to remove my tax disc without telling them, or do I have to agree it with them? There are five months left.
Under the heading "Bawl bearing" in your page in a recent edition of Daily Telegraph Motoring, you referred to the recommendation of Toyota when switching off turbo engines. My brother in law showed...
Sudden illumination of all panel warning lights. Loss of forward motion. Engine still running/idling but not responding to accelerator pedal. Odometer displaying al dashes - no numbers. Engine eventually...
Can you suggest cars that might be suitable for a young (17 year old), very tall (6'3") driver, who finds many cars very uncomfortable, but has a limited budget and a 17 year old's insurance premiums....
7,995 for a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec(climate) 59 reg with 31,000 on clock - grey(local Ford dealership) The deal is: -1,750 for my Polo 1.4 sport 02 reg (which I thought a fair price?) -Manufacturers warranty...
My son bought an Audi A6 2004 model from an independent dealer. After 2 weeks the exhaust needs replacing. The garage initially said it would not pay as their warranty did not cover exhaust wear and tear....
The door open sensor says the right hand door is still open on my 206.
I have a Proton Jumbuck that now has a statring problem. The key fob fell apart and after putting it back together it now won't start. If you turn key to the start position you just hear the fuel pump....
I have a Citroen C3, 1.4, 02 plate. The problem with my car is the clutch but I'm not sure exactly what the exact problem is. Originally the clutch pedal was juddering, down & up & then it dissappeared....
I'm being offered a company car for the first time or the option of a car allowance, but only so long as the car is under 5 years old. I am leaning towards the car allowance option, but I would like advice...
Is a 2006 plate Saab 9-3 1.8t Vector Auto worth the £6k asking price at a dealer? It's done 69k miles.
I have bought a car for my son who will be 17 in early October, he is named on the V5. I would like to cover it for fire and theft whilst it is sat in my garage until his birthday, but have found it impossible...
I currently have a 2004 BMW 525D - I love driving bimmers but they dont do 7 seaters. I now need a 7 seater. I drive 60 miles a day mostly motorway 5 days a wk - about 22,000 miles a yr. I am happy to...
Bought a MINI Cooper S 2007 in Feb 2011. Worst car ever along with awful MINI dealership, never again. Will try and sell privately in Northern Ireland as have lost out majorly on devaluation. Previously...
I noticed a very defined knock from the front driver side, when started steering after not using the car for hours. When driving, it usually doesn't happen again, and even if it does, it isn't that loud. Honda...
I cannot unlock my Vauxhall Meriva boot with the key fob?
Since purchasing my BMW X3 twelve months ago I have been constantly aware of what I believe to be excessive wind noise through the drivers door window. I have twice taken the car back to complain but BMW...
I bought HondaPrelude 1990 I put in Slick 50 at once. So far engine has been fine. Various other faults such as gaiters, radiator, tyres, filters brake pads, callipers along with normal maintenance done...
My Polo is worth £3000, I want to swap for a 4 seater convertible or sell and get a 4 seater convertable. What's the best convertible to go for? I'm a 27 yr old woman.
In your opinion, what is the soon to be classic car for under £10,000: the zanier, the better?
I have decided to purchase a 14 month Avensis Tourer. This is an ex Toyota car. Not sure if these normally get any (supagaud) paint work treatment when first registered by Toyota, but the garage is pushing...
I bought a Fiesta 1.6 Titanium (manual 90 bhp version, registered Oct 2009) a year ago, having done 26000miles. I do ~12-13000 miles a year, mostly on a 55 mile round trip commute on dual carriageway. All...
I'm losing water from my expansion tank at high speeds, although around town I'm losing some, but not all? There is nothing obvious - can you help?
My Volkswagen Caravelle TDI (167,000 miles) has developed a noise when driving. It sounds like a transmission whine and starts at 20mph and increases in proportion to road speed. If the steering wheel...
I have been told that I can drive a full size trike motor cycle on my existing licence (Cat B, G & H from 1974)
 

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