Can you recommend a car to keep for eight years?

We are looking to change our 11 year old Honda Insight. We are likely to keep the next car eight to 10 years, and realise we are in a time of rapidly changing technology. We are looking at a 2020 Hyundai...

Renault Clio - cambelt or chain?

I have a 2014 Renault Clio 1.5 CDI auto. Does it have chain or belt and when should it be changed?

My mileage has dropped, should I switch to a petrol car?

I have a 2017 Nissan N-Connecta 1.5DCI with 48,000 miles on the clock. Due to a change in circumstances I no longer need to make a 20-mile journey twice a day, most journeys will be 2-5 miles, except...

Does mileage affect diesel particulate filters (DPF)?

You recently suggested that low mileage has an impact on blocked diesel particulate filters. Low mileage has nothing to do with it. If I don’t regularly drive short journeys but give it a run on the motorway...

Unhappy about Vauxhall's Lifetime warranty - should I complain?

I took my Vauxhall Meriva into the same main dealer as last year for a service to keep my Lifetime warranty up. They said my sump plug was stripped and would need a Helicore Insert at £89.63! On my Lifetime...

Which DVLA form do I use for an over-70 driving licence application?

I have applied to renew my mother's over 70 driving licence online. The email response from the DVLA states that I need to send an application completion form. I have no idea what this form is, is it the...

Which GAP insurance provider should I use?

Can you recommend a good GAP insurance supplier?

Do home electric car charging points affect property values?

Does the presence, or lack of it, of an electric car charging point have any impact on the saleability or price of properties? Secondly, do you think any such effect is likely to be felt soon given the...

When should I change timing belt/chain?

Is there a recommended point for changing the timing chain on the Skoda Fabia 1.2 petrol engine 2013 or should it last for life?

Volvo XC40 burnt out clutch and damaged flywheel - can the dealer make me pay?

I have a Volvo XC40 manual which is eight months old and has done 5,600 miles. I had a problem changing gear and a slight burning smell which went away and towards the end of my journey of 10 miles the...

Which used Toyota Prius hybrid should I buy?

Many of us are being forced to consider changing petrol cars to used hybrids. Could you tell me which Toyota Prius models/years from 2008 onwards qualify for free or reduced road tax, Ultra-Low Emission...

Can I check if an electric vehicle charging point is available?

If I owned an electric car, how would I know whether a particular charging point was available before I set off? This is very important because I would be using up my existing charge on a wild goose chase...

Which estate car or SUV should I buy for under £20,000?

Which sporty (200+ bhp) estate car or SUV should I buy with large boot and a £15,000-£20,000 budget? I currently have a 45-50-mile daily commute and holiday a lot in the UK. Ideally, I would like a petrol...

Dacia Duster - will I still be able to get spare parts?

I understand that the Dacia Duster is built in Moscow. If western governments impose severe sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, will I still be able to get spare parts for my 2018 Duster?

Should I reject a vehicle or let the dealer fix it?

I purchased a 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel estate from a Honda dealer three months ago. I have begun having issues with starting. I've taken it back to Honda who have advised one glow plug has a broken tip....

Should we fit all-season tyres to our Ford Puma ST?

My wife is getting a Ford Puma ST soon and currently switches between regular and winter tyres on her Polo GTI. Are we better off getting a set of all-season tyres for the Puma or will that compromise...

Keyless entry - how can I remember to switch the engine off?

How can I be reminded to press the engine stop button before I get out of the car now that there are no longer ignition keys to stop the engine? I was brought up to stop the engine with the key and the...

How many multi-fit spare wheels does each breakdown recovery van have?

It is all very well relying on the AA (new hybrid car supplied with AA cover) to get me home in the case of a puncture, but how many multi-fit spares do they carry on one van? If he has just lent his...

How many 24-hour garages are there for tyre fitting?

As new cars don’t have spare wheels any more, repair kits are very temporary, and space saver wheels restrict journey, how many 24-hour garages are there for tyre fitting if you have a puncture and need...

Can you recommend a transmission specialist?

I have an RAC warranty on a 2016 BMW 520. A seal on the transmission inlet needs replacing but the warranty only covers labour at £50 an hour not the £160 an hour my main dealer charges Do you know...

When should I change the cam belt and water pump on my Volkswagen Golf?

I have got a 2015 Mk7 diesel Volkswagen Golf, 36,000 miles. Do I need to change the timing belt and pump, as I only do low mileage?

Are electric cars getting more expensive?

Is the cost of electric cars increasing? It appears from what I've seen that even used electric cars are extremely expensive. As an example, a Hyundai Ioniq 2018 electric with 30,000 miles is £21,000 is...

Can you recommend a nearly new petrol hatchback?

I need to replace my Peugeot 207 Coupe Cabriolet Sport 1.6, which is almost 14 years old. I now need a more practical car. I would like to buy new or nearly new (pre reg. or ex demo.) and my requirements...

Skoda Enyaq - what is its ground clearance?

I live down an uneven farm track and want to buy an electric car - maybe Skoda Enyaq. Do you have any idea what its clearance is like ?

Should I buy a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate?

I am considering purchasing a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate E220 auto. It is a 2015 model with 55,000 miles, one owner, full Mercedes-Benz main dealer service history. It’s not at all cheap for a 7 year...

What is the maximum towing weight for the Vauxhall Mokka?

I have a 2015 Vauxhall Mokka CDTI eco, what is the maximum braked trailer weight it can tow?

Can I reject my faulty motorhome?

I bought a brand new motorhome in November 2021 and on collection it started developing faults, mainly electrical. It's on its third battery. I've returned it but they have still not fixed it. Can I now...

Should I get a manufacturer extended warranty?

I bought my Renault Trafic Sport from new in 2019, with a three-year business + warranty , meaning they keep me on the road if something was to go wrong. I have been quoted £720 by my local dealer with...

Why do you advise against left foot braking?

You recently advised against left foot braking, I completely disagree. I am a qualified advanced driver with over 50 years experience and I use left foot braking. The left foot is dedicated to the brake...

Unable to MoT my car, what should I do?

My MoT will expire in a month but I am outside the UK and unable to return in time. The car is parked in a private garage and insured and taxed. Do I need to declare it SORN or can I leave it as is until...

Can I use a three-pin plug to charge the Skoda Superb iV?

I'm thinking of buying a Skoda Superb iV plug-in hybrid. Does it need a special charger or is it a normal three-pin plug ?

What should I buy to replace a Ford Focus?

Our Ford Focus 1.8 Edge has just passed its MoT with 160,000 miles and still goes like a rocket - everything works. The engine has never been apart and it has the same clutch, exhaust, alternator etc....

Renault Kadjar fault - does the dealership have to fix it?

I have had my Renault Kadjar for less than two months and it has been in the garage twice. This time the engine management light has come on and it's saying faulty braking system. Does the dealership need...

Are Ford EcoBoost engines reliable?

I am planning to buy a car and getting confused between a Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost Zetec vs the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost 1.0 Zetec. Can you please advise as I read some mixed reviews for EcoBoost engines, are...

BMW 5 Series DPF issues - what should I do?

I have a 63 plate BMW 520D (F10)  Auto Efficient Dynamic version (Euro 6) As I drive a lot on motorway, the car has a high mileage, close to 180,000 miles. I had a "driven chain, check soon" message pop...

Citroen C1 - cam belt or timing chain?

Does the Citreon C1 (2009 model) have timing chains or belts?

Nissan Pulsar - should we keep or sell?

My son has a 2016 Nissan Pulsar 1.5 diesel. It has 60,000 miles and is fully serviced, including cam belt change. To date, it has been totally reliable and the lease is ending soon. Is it worth buying...

Spare wheels - do we really need them anymore?

When we bought my wife's Honda Jazz it came with a tyre repair kit but we could buy a spare, and this came in handy when she hit a kerbstone and ruptured a tyre. I'm about to get a Lexus UX. I could...

What's the best estate car for sale right now?

What is the best estate caron sale right now?

Should I learn left foot braking?

How do you train your left foot to brake in a car with an auto transmission?

What's the best electric car with a big boot?

I am ready to change my now 12-year-old BMW 520d Touring for a new car. I have owned my BMW from new and have been delighted with it, but my annual mileage has dropped below 10,000 miles a year following...

Can I get a small EV with a 350 mile range?

I live in a townhouse with no off-street parking. I have a garage in a block but it is unpowered. As I would like to buy an EV, I monitored my driving patterns over the last few months to work out the...

Can you recommend a practical but small SUV that will carry our bowls equipment and dog?

We are aged 80 and want a hatchback or small SUV with a flat boot that will take our heavy bowls equipment and/or carry our dog. We cover about 6000 miles a year, with a drive of 250 miles three times...

Do I need to tax and MoT my car if I am not using it due to ill health?

Do I need to tax and MoT my car I am not using due to ill health?

What's the best used, medium-sized SUV?

I have £19,000 to spend. Can you tell me what's the best used medium-sized SUV with a petrol engine and automatic gearbox?

What's the best large estate car for under £35,000?

I have a 2016 Skoda Superb hatchback, which I’ve been really pleased with but now what to change it for a large estate car that's up to two years old and priced under £35,000. I’ve looked at the Superb...

Can you recommend a compact and comfortable car to replace my Mazda 3?

Four years ago, HonestJohn.co.uk recommended a Mazda 3 for me. I very much like it: it's comfortable, got good performance, and is very economical. However, I find it a bit big and the visibility is not...

What's the best EV on sale right now for range and boot space?

I am interested in purchasing an electric car; however, I don't know where to start. Can you help me please? I'd like a car that has good range, like the Kia e-Niro and a large boot for the shopping, too....

Car repairs are taking too long - what are my rights?

The power steering on our 2017 Jaguar F pace failed in heavy rain at the beginning of November and it has been in the dealership awaiting repair ever since. The latest we have heard is they expect the...

What's the best 4x4 for narrow, rural roads?

My daughter, an emergency nurse, is moving from the south of England to the North East and will be commuting between hospitals. She is looking to buy a new car more appropriate to the change in climate...