![Range Rover Evoque - model year 2020](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2019/12/30/TELEMMGLPICT000206892053_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqwJAVhiW-gE4pvvU5i3PwtSnW8BLq_9yFhLlXda78vfw.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Honest John’s car advice – the pick of your motoring questions
![Range Rover Evoque - model year 2020](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2019/12/30/TELEMMGLPICT000206892053_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqwJAVhiW-gE4pvvU5i3PwtSnW8BLq_9yFhLlXda78vfw.jpeg?imwidth=680)
- Honest John has been the resident “agony uncle” at The Daily Telegraph for more than 26 years, responding to readers’ car-related queries with his trademark blend of experience, authority and, sometimes, bluntness.
- This round-up of Q&As is in addition to the weekly Honest John column, which appears online in our advice section every Friday at 10am and in the Saturday supplement in the following day’s newspaper.
- The advice section is also where you will find features on buying and selling, regular maintenance and a section specialising in used cars.
Soft option
I can see why you are so emphatic about getting rid of “bling” large diameter wheels with low-profile tyres. I took your advice and changed from 20- to 18-inch rims on my Land Rover Evoque HSE Lux. The ride is now superb. HS
I have no idea why people let themselves get persuaded to pay extra for big wheels with low-profile tyres that wreck the ride, are easily damaged, wear out faster and cost a fortune to replace.
600 into 500
My wife owns a 2000 Fiat Seicento SX that has done 18,000 miles. She would like to exchange it for a 500, not necessarily new. Which model is best? BP
The 500 that’s the most fun to drive is the TwinAir, but avoid the Dualogic automated manual gearbox.
No escape
I have been quoted £400 by a Ford dealer for an automatic gearbox oil change on my 2012 C-Max with 40,000 miles. It seems excessive, but is it? GW
This will be a wet-clutch Powershift gearbox. A member of www.fedauto.co.uk should be able to do it more cheaply, but it’s still likely to be more than £200 because of the special oil used.
Living on an island
![Harbour and skyline of Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2018/06/08/TELEMMGLPICT000165678446_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqzccoJS-E8Wb-wOXrdJto29fgDDmpqORuNWAz3-G8oxQ.jpeg?imwidth=350)
I’ve had my Mini Cooper for four years, averaging 17,000 miles a year. Now I’m moving to Guernsey and taking it with me. Any suggestions for the change in use: short, start-stop journeys of up to four miles? CE
As long as it isn’t a diesel you should be fine. Keep the revs up to about 2,000rpm on your short runs. Get it over to France for a decent run as often as you can.
Ranger over
My 2016 Ford Ranger 3.2 is losing about one litre of coolant a month and this is slowly increasing. Ford has pressure tested the system and claims there are no faults. There is no sign of coolant in the engine mixing with the oil or leaking from the pipes. Any ideas? JG
It’s probably an airlock blowing the coolant out of the pressure cap. You might purge it by removing the expansion tank cap, switching the heater to full and then, from cold, running the engine up to temperature.
Clean living
![BMW E39 M5](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2016/04/13/e39-m5_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq1TYULLf6uJ0HC15x5gRMXGywkezTXF6PYUHwoFOcQhI.jpg?imwidth=350)
For 18 years my ex-company E39-series BMW 520 has been indulged with Shell and BP premium fuels. As a result I am amazed to see how clean the exhaust is after more than 105,000 miles. It’s a brilliant car. The battery was changed this year after 18 years and the BMW dealer cost was cheaper than Halfords. What do you think? BE
Excellent. I think I can beat your 18 years on super, but not an 18-year battery life. That is phenomenal.
Different horses?
Are the Seat Ateca and Skoda Karoq the same car with different badges? Both petrol engine models seem to offer good value. What do you think? BH
They are basically the same, built by Skoda in the Czech Republic. The Karoq has a different rear seating arrangement. As with the Yeti, the rear seats are removable to make the vehicle more versatile. The other car that's pretty much the same is the more expensive VW Tiguan.
Carry on camping
![Volkswagen California T6](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2021/05/06/TELEMMGLPICT000226898146_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq1_lUKZQW9yBHJ44nV5kjx9h1QvJdg92NIkJM8gsETVI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
I’m looking to purchase a Volkswagen T6 camper and note that many of the conversions come with the 100bhp engine, which seems a bit weedy to lug such weight. Which is the best engine option, and is the auto any good? NB
There have been lots of problems with the diesels. Go for the 2.0 TSI petrol. The auto is VW’s strongest DSG gearbox, the DQ500 seven-speed unit.
Sore point
I have a VW Caddy and develop a back pain if I travel for more than 30 minutes. Can you recommend a support that might help? JE
Not really. I've tried a few and they didn't really work. It’s better to recline the seat slightly, so more of the weight of your torso is fed into the backrest rather than the base of your spine. (JE later confirmed that my suggestion seemed to be working.)
Higher car
Now aged 82, I am looking for a car with comfort and reliability, rather than speed or gizmos. Seat height and ease of entry are important, as are four doors and a largish load space. I prefer to buy used, less than two years old, and also a European make. My last three cars were Vauxhall Astra estates, all good cars but now too low for easy entry. ES
Possibly a Vauxhall Meriva 1.4T, manual or automatic
An optimist writes
I have a 2011 Jaguar XKR Convertible with just 16,000 miles and it is only used in the summer. It is garaged otherwise. Its most recent MoT advises: "Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (silencer).” I was not offered an extended warranty and did not take one, but do I have grounds to expect any action to be taken by Jaguar Land Rover? NMK
No. Though splendid, it is seven years old and exhaust systems are subject to condensation corrosion – particularly on cars that are used infrequently.
Proving the point
![Renault Dauphine and Queen](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2021/05/06/Renault-Dauphine-and-Queen_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq4wjOmx9PobY7N5K7YBBV7Lkz8JFqUPk61SbwtFDlr74.jpg?imwidth=350)
I have two classic cars: a 1969 Renault 10, which has a current MoT and is on the road, and a 1967 Renault Caravelle, which is currently being made roadworthy. Should they be put through an MoT? Can they fail? My preference is to have the test and make good any deficiencies, but many classic owners seem in the dark as to current requirements. Can you advise?CR
If cars are more than 40 years old you are not compelled to put them through the MoT, but your insurer does require them to be roadworthy and an MoT is at least proof that they are.
Adjusting Focus
We have a 2007 Ford Focus 1.6 petrol manual, with which we are very pleased. We wish to replace it with the same again. The 1.0 engine now seems the most popular in the Ford range, but might be rather small for a car of this size. We do a fair amount of long-distance motoring and have a budget of £12,000. What would you suggest? RS
That budget puts the latest Focus out of the picture. A recent Focus 1.0 EcoBboost 125 will probably be OK as long as it has had the degas pipe modification, but I'd rather have a Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech 130 because it goes better, is more reliable and more economical.
Not me, guv
![fixed speed camera - blurred vehicle passing](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2017/04/21/TELEMMGLPICT000003378880_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqM37qcIWR9CtrqmiMdQVx7N0W9_qKBENFKAjdO6ztOts.jpeg?imwidth=350)
I received a police letter stating that I was doing 41mph in a 30 zone, but the alleged offence took place on a day when I did not ride my motorcycle. I have the alternative of going to the speed awareness course. If that saves me hassle, should I go for it? JR
Definitely not. If someone has cloned your number plate you will continue to get speeding tickets. Demand to see a photo of the speeding vehicle. If it's obviously yours, you have no defence (maybe a friend “borrowed” it). If it isn't yours, tell the police it's not your bike. Their clerk could also have got one digit of the registration wrong.
Trans-Europe excess
I read that a large number of Vauxhall vehicles sold in the UK are made in Opel’s German, Spanish and Polish factories and given the British brand. Meanwhile, lots of models made in Britain are exported overseas and rebadged as Opels. Is this true? BB
Naming is marketing and car production is a global operation. Vauxhall/Opel Astras are made at Ellesmere Port, Merseyside and some Vauxhall/Opel vans are made at Luton; the rest are mostly made in Europe. Since Peugeot took over Vauxhall/Opel, the former General Motors factory in Zaragoza that made the Corsa now makes the Peugeot-based Vauxhall Crossland. The British will buy Vauxhalls in large numbers, but will not buy Opels. You might think Ford is a British make, but not a single Ford car is made in Britain – and that has been the case for some time.
Worn piece
My wife has a 2014 Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 with a lifetime warranty. The engine began to misbehave and the dealer diagnosed corroded coils, which it replaced for £160. I asked about the warranty and was told corrosion was not covered. I have since learned that this model is prone to such problems, as is the Corsa. Is this true? ML
I also heard about this from another reader. The coil packs are regarded as wearing parts and are not covered by a “lifetime” warranty that has more holes than a 1953 Vauxhall Wyvern.
Mineral or..?
![Land Rover Defender (1995 N-reg)](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2021/04/08/Land-Rover-Defender-1995-N-reg_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqtopVU1Hz0rhAk9sF5xeZMsaejOZqHYCAqbEub1yaAZI.jpg?imwidth=350)
I have acquired a 25-year-old Land Rover Defender 300 TDI, which I’ll drive for no more than 6,000 miles annually. Do I change the oil and filter twice a year using the cheapest oil available, or once a year using the most expensive? MW
Twice a year using mineral or semi-synthetic oil. Expensive fully synthetic oil might not suit. The original service regime will probably have been every 3,000 miles.
Deep extra cover
I have been looking at the Seat Ateca/Arona, Kia Stonic and Mazda CX-3, but which of these (if any) is your pick of the small SUVs? PF
The Stonic has a seven-year warranty, the others three. You could also consider a Peugeot 2008 or a Citroën C3 Aircross, also with shorter warranties. I tend to recommend new cars with longer warranties, because it means less work for me answering complaints from people about expensive faults that aren’t covered...
Three-pointed stir
The gearbox of my 63,000-mile Mercedes A-class auto has failed. I’ve been quoted £1,700 to replace the electronic control unit (ECU). Is it worth getting the work done or should I cut my losses and replace the car? SW
You could get another quotation from a member of www.fedauto.co.uk, but it’s barely worth fixing. It also depends what other work is due.
Right and propre
My wife is looking at a short road trip to northern France once we can travel again. I recall something about needing an “emissions certificate” to drive in France, but my wife thinks it might only be for Paris or other large cities – is she right, or do we need one anyway? If so, how do we get one? DS
Crit-Air emissions stickers for French cities: www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en. Emissions stickers for German cities: www.berlin.de/senuvk/umwelt/luftqualitaet/umweltzone/en/ausland.shtml.
High hopes
My wife and I, both in our 70s, drive a Ford C-Max and like the quite high seating position. We do less than 6,000 miles a year, half of which is for short distances around town. We are looking to buy a similar car with hybrid propulsion. Is there such a vehicle that would suit our requirements? DB
Crossovers such as the Kia Niro, Toyota C-HR and RAV4, plus the new Honda CR-V hybrid.
Chariots of ire
![A shopper pushes a trolley piled high with groceries across a supermarket car park](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2021/03/04/TELEMMGLPICT000227946303_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqcdbBg4vh-Fzi5gneynTwH5I8ru0f7XDASYyD-_1xp1g.jpeg?imwidth=350)
My car has been damaged for a second time in a supermarket car park. There is no CCTV to record the culprits, but might it be possible to recover damages from the store? DP
Not unless you can prove negligence, which you might be able to do by making repeat visits to the car park and taking photos of carelessly discarded shopping trolleys that have not been collected. Without evidence, you are on your own if your car was hit by another and the driver failed to leave a note.
Air display
My Skoda Octavia’s tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) keeps sending false warnings that pressure has been lost on one or other of the front tyres. This happens on nearly every journey – and when I did have a puncture the warning light did not report it. What might be wrong? IM
Try resetting the system to “learn” the pressures at 2 bar first thing in the morning. Hot weather will increase the air pressure in tyres by 0.3 to 0.4 bar and this emphasises any disparity. Alternatively, try having them filled with pure nitrogen and they may stay more stable. If none of that works, the problem is probably with the TPMS valves.
I hear you knocking
I have owned one of the last Type 2 Honda Civics from new and it has developed a noisy offside front wheel. The sound varies between the creak of an old cart spring and a can full of stones and is especially noticeable when turning left. The staff at my servicing garage could not hear it but, when I insisted, fitted a new driveshaft. It made no difference. Any idea? KGS
I presume you mean the 2003-2006 Civic. Is the ABS affected? If so, it might be a rusty reluctor ring on the hub.
Voice of reason
Would you consider a 93,000-mile Volvo XC90 2.4 diesel a reasonably economical tow car? Is it likely to cost more to run than a Ford Mondeo? GG
It’s a good tow car because of the weight, but not economical. To tow with an XC90 automatic you need to fit a larger transmission oil cooler. It needs a new timing belt, tensioner and water pump every five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Expect 25-30mpg.
Salvage operation
I have found a car with a registration I want to transfer to my car. I can easily buy the donor vehicle, but unless the gearbox is replaced it will not be eligible for an MoT. The cost of doing this would exceed the value of the car. How can I transfer the registration? HC
You can’t. You cannot transfer a registration from one vehicle to another unless the vehicle it comes from is road legal. You would have to put it through the MoT, insure it, tax it, then transfer the reg to your car or to a retention certificate, then put the car on an age-related plate and resell it.
Six appeal
What type of automatic transmission does the latest Ford Fiesta have? JM
Six-speed torque converter.
Converted try
I want to buy a small WAV (Wheelchair Access Vehicle), either new or used. Where should I try first? FG
Try www.brotherwoood.com or www.alliedmobility.com.
Unawareness course
Recently I undertook a speed awareness course and a comment by one of the lecturers surprised me. He said that airbags were a big con as they hardly make any difference in an accident. Any comments? AB
I have seen people step out of cars without a scratch after the airbags have deployed; that scenario would not have been the case had there not been any. Probably scare tactics on his part.
Giulia dream
![Alfa Romeo Giulia (2017)](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2018/10/12/Alfa-Romeo-Giulia-2017_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqVESTG6PD-P8HrvYHNo9hOOW0aeiCeshMUZCzG_3OktI.jpg?imwidth=350)
I lease a Mercedes C200 Sport Premium, due to be returned at Christmas. I fancy an Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce next, but my friends (who claim to know about cars) say it will be nothing but trouble. Do you have a view? DH
I’m not yet hearing of any problems with the Giulia. It’s such a beautiful car that I can understand it being hard to resist. If you will be leasing again, then it’s far less of a worry. Even if you buy outright, they come with a five-year warranty.
Warped speed
When the speed shown on my sat-nav is 70mph, the car's speedometer reads 75mph. Which is correct? JS
As long as you are on a flat, straight road, not surrounded by trees or tall buildings, and the sky is clear, the sat-nav is correct. Speedos always over-read.
Wizard for Merlin
I read an advert for FTC tablets, which claim to improve economy and performance while reducing emissions. Any thoughts? AO
These things were used to help the Merlin engines of Spitfires run on low-grade Russian fuel during the Second World War. All fuel is better than it was then. And if you want a car to run properly, use superior grades rather than sticking pellets in your fuel tank.
Park strife
![Three parking tickets on car windscreen in London, England, UK](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2016/04/22/95998887-parking-ticket-CARS_1_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq3KMKnJ86S8kYdU9jJvV6WTM6vIriobq0HsLlIpfC6o8.jpg?imwidth=350)
I thought parking was free everywhere on bank holiday Mondays, but I got a ticket. Can this be right? AC
Not necessarily, hence the ticket. You have to check the signage and/or meters for guidance. It is quite easy to park in a resident bay believing it to be a regular one, or restrict access without realising. Red Routes in London can be equally confusing unless you read the signage carefully. And, obviously, double yellow lines mean no parking at any time.
Apposite lock
Following reports that thieves have been able to access the details of electronic keys from outside the owner’s house and fool the vehicle into believing the key is present, I now keep my key in a tin box in my hallway cupboard hoping to seal off any signals. Will this be sufficient? RS
It should be, but it’s best to get a Faraday signal-blocking bag or Faraday safe. A signal from car keys can be picked up from about 15 feet outside the house.
Chips with everything
![man pushing six supermarket trollies](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2020/07/31/TELEMMGLPICT000003830763_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqMdh6xRjNIMbUEJJ9Tv0x6l9-Id-iIIsrZdGm_CxCC6s.jpeg?imwidth=350)
My 2006 VW Golf R32 has covered only 41,000 miles. Despite its thirst, I intend to keep it indefinitely. The engine has been chipped for even more power, so would there be any benefit in using superunleaded petrol? MS
Yes, about 30bhp. It would be ridiculous to have it chipped and not run it on the best-available fuel.
Frosty reception
My wife's 2003 Toyota Corolla is coming up for its MoT and the plastic headlamp lenses have become ever more frosted. Is this likely to make it fail the test? RJ
Possibly. Try cleaning them with Brasso metal polish, but check a small area first.
Allroad leads to roam
I have owned an Audi A4 Allroad 2.0 TDI S Tronic since new in 2013 and it has done 27,000 miles. It is due for a big service and the garage is advising a new cambelt and water pump for an extra £649. Is this wise? RC
Definitely. If the pump impeller seizes (which they do), it throws off the belt and then all hell breaks loose.
Making a clean start
I drive a 2017 Honda Civic 1.6i DTEC Tourer and do about 800 miles a month, mainly short journeys, with a few five-mile motorway runs a week. I also try to get at least a couple of 30-mile motorway runs each month. Is this sufficient to prevent diesel particulate filter(DPF) problems and, if not, what distances should I do? ME
Always run it at 1,500-2,000rpm for the first 10 miles after starting, to create less soot and passively regenerate any soot from the start. Don't bimble along at 1,000-1,500rpm. And run it on superdiesel.
Clean break
I have a Volvo C30 1.6 TD that has run on supermarket fuel since new. It is nine years old and has done 45,000 trouble-free miles. Would it be a good idea to change over permanently to superdiesel at this stage of its life? I understand the benefits of the more expensive fuel, but have I left it too late to be of any use? RB
It’s never too late. Use a diesel injector cleaning additive with the first fill, then stick to the same brand of super. You may not notice an immediate improvement, but you will over the coming weeks.
That’s the spirit...
![vodka bottle](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2019/08/22/TELEMMGLPICT000000777865_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqG2nbSL-FvHWbj8zJbqFDrrZigIAeLxVKEMg5A07zbhM.jpeg?imwidth=350)
I have read some tips about keeping your car looking its best using a number of everyday products. One is vodka in the screenwash – all it takes is three cups of vodka, four cups of water and two teaspoons of washing up liquid, shake well, then pour into the reservoir. This will easily remove all dirt collected on the windscreen, and ensure it doesn’t freeze if it gets colder. MM
I quite like that idea.
Art of glass
What is windscreen recalibration? PF
If the screen has a section with a light sensor, rain sensor and camera, and the car needs a new screen, those functions might need to be recalibrated.
Rough justice
![File photo dated 16/01/16 of cars parked on a residential street in London](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2019/04/02/TELEMMGLPICT000192366521_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqxb5dtL_ELTE6B8DtWJJotCrQYo3SkySopgii1ZeDLdo.jpeg?imwidth=350)
My car has been written off by a third-party collision while parked outside my house. Am I correct in understanding that my insurance should reinstate me financially to where I was immediately before the collision? DR
The driver who crashed into your car is liable to restore you to the position you were in before they did the damage. Their insurer usually interprets this as giving you market value for your car before it was wrecked and county courts have upheld this as a "reasonable" settlement.
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