Ask Honest John

Most recently answered consumer advice questions
Given what is reported to be happening to used diesel car prices, what effect is this likely to have on leasing prices for early next year?
I have a 2017 BMW X3. It was broken into two times in less than eight weeks, perhaps using some sort of keyless entry. In both cases, there wasn’t any physical damage to the car. On the second incident,...
I have a 2009 Renault Clio, which has done 3500 miles. According to Renault, it needs a new cam belt. They recommend that the tensioner and the water pump should be replaced, but nothing else needs done....
I ordered a new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate plug-in hybrid over two months ago. I've now been told by the dealer that delivery will not be until March 2018 due to a shortage of engines. Do you think that...
I'm a cash buyer with no trade-in. I'm hoping to buy a 2012 Ford Fiesta, with the Aston Martin grille and 36,000 miles on the clock, through a Ford main dealer. They're having to transfer the car from...
I have a 2016 Audi A3 sportback S-line. Very pleased with it, but it's now due its first service. Do I need to go through Audi? I have an excellent local garage who will inevitably undercut the prices...
I have stains on my car seats. I've tried vinegar and bicarbonate soda, as well as vanish, but they make the seats worse. Can you recommend another option?
SEAT contacted me after one year of ownership about the annual service on my 2.0-litre diesel Alhambra. However, now they say that my car did not need a service until it was two years old. This incompetence...
I'm using Volkswagen's scrappage scheme to buy a new Golf. Can I claim a refund of the unexpired Road Tax on my old diesel car? One salesman told me that I can and another claimed that, because the car...
I'm three hours drive from a dealer selling a car that my son wants. I contacted the dealer and he said we can't test drive the car unless we buy it by putting down a £500 deposit. Apparently they wont...