Honestjohn Backroom Posts

Recommendations Sub £5k Reliable Car (Samuala)

Samuala — Thu, 02 May 2024 10:35:11 +0000

I thought you could open it as long as you have the key with you? Yes, you can. I suppose I'm being a little pedantic. The boot release is down by the driver, as is the fuel cap release. There's no physical button or lever for boot release on the rear of the vehicle. And can only be opened at the rear with tge key. I've heard European models come with a physical boot release. I know they're built to a price but my 2010 punto had a boot release at the rear and a button on the key fob.

Any - Punctured door dkin (Gerry Sanderson)

Gerry Sanderson — Thu, 02 May 2024 10:28:42 +0000

Salvage one? dvd

Honda Jazz Hybrid - Multiple Honda 2020 model Brake Servo failures (focussed)

focussed — Thu, 02 May 2024 10:25:35 +0000

Honda UK Ltd hasn't existed since 2015 when it was dissolved - it is a trading name of Honda Motor Europe LTD So you are waiting for HME to recognise that there is a problem.

Peugot 207 - Is it OK to mix OW-30 and 5W-30 oils? (Andrew-T)

Andrew-T — Thu, 02 May 2024 09:43:41 +0000

<< Worth checking in the handbook, on our Subaru and Landcruiser the preferred method is warm engine wait a few minutes after shutdown and then check the level . >> I quote from the handbook from my 207, 2007 edition : "The reading will only be correct if the vehicle is on level ground and the engine has been off for more than 15 minutes."

Peugot 207 - Is it OK to mix OW-30 and 5W-30 oils? (gordonbennet)

gordonbennet — Thu, 02 May 2024 07:12:02 +0000

There were oil marks on the dipstick above the 'min' level, but none of the marks were very clear. Will try leaving the dipstick in for longer to see if that helps. It's always best to read the dipstick in a cold/cool engine, on a level surface - straight after switching off will never give a true reading, and the oil is less visible too ! Worth checking in the handbook, on our Subaru and Landcruiser the preferred method is warm engine wait a few minutes after shutdown and then check the level.

Peugot 207 - Is it OK to mix OW-30 and 5W-30 oils? (edlithgow)

edlithgow — Thu, 02 May 2024 05:16:55 +0000

I've used the lowest cold viscosity with the rated hot viscosity - that gets oil around the engine fastest when it's cold and warming up - which is when most engine wear occurs Thats the story, sure. Might even be true, sometimes, but the (rather few) actual studies I've seen of the effect of oil viscosity on engine wear, tend to show it goes up,a little, as the viscosity goes down. Achieving these hot viscosities with a low base viscosity requires a lot of viscosity index improver and these can tend to clog oil control rings with their degradation products. This doesn't matter much to me, since something other than engine wear (usually THE MAN in some form, oft abetted by my mechanical incompetence) has tended to kill my cars, but its not a big surprise if the studies differ from the advertising copy..

Nissan Leaf - Leafing my wallet alone! (expat)

expat — Thu, 02 May 2024 01:46:19 +0000

The cheap single digit electricity is usually only available at night when there is loads of excess floating about. There are some tariffs where it is possible to get it for free at certain times so I am not sure there is any real subsidy there. Anyone can get cheap electricity now the market has gone back to something near normal - you just won't get it all the time and you won't get it at 5.30pm on a weekday afternoon. Over here in West Australia there is so much roof top solar that the off peak period is 9am to 3pm! Shoulder period is 9pm to 6am (I think) and peak is the morning and evening periods where people are cooking and having showers. In spring and autumn there is so much day time solar that the electricity company has to send out a signal to people's rooftop solar to remotely turn some off to balance the system.

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (sajid)

sajid — Wed, 01 May 2024 22:05:13 +0000

When I bought a honda jazz from the dealers I extended the warranty to 5 years. My jazz had a fault the abs light came on turn out to be a abs modulator priced at £1300 fortunately having a extended warranty covered the entire cost

Nissan Leaf - Leafing my wallet alone! (SLO76)

SLO76 — Wed, 01 May 2024 21:23:23 +0000

It’s just supply and demand, and skewed by the inability to simply turn generators off as when desired. At night the grid is oversupplied and thus cheapo lekky is available. Leo the Leaf is plugged in and has his internal timer set to midnight, when my 5hrs of 7.5p p/kwh kicks in. He’ll lap up around £1.80 worth to get back to 100% which will see him run for the next two days while leaving a decent backup of around 40%- a fraction of the cost in petrol or diesel. I do need to calm the beans though as I’m tearing the front tyres up, the acceleration is addictive. I love surprising big Audi’s and BMW’s away from roundabouts and up slip roads.

Recommendations Sub £5k Reliable Car (SLO76)

SLO76 — Wed, 01 May 2024 21:13:39 +0000

Vauxhall Viva that’s apparently lived most at of its life in sunny Engerland. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404028219456 Hmm hadn't considered a Viva. They seem to have decent spec. Any experience with them? May have to see if I can get a test drive at a dealer. They’re cheap, mostly owned by older people and thus not abused and they’re a bit more refined and substantial than the 107 etc. Make sure it has a full service record as timing chains can get noisy if neglected.

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (SLO76)

SLO76 — Wed, 01 May 2024 20:39:47 +0000

Most of them are r******, even the big names such as the RAC make it difficult for garages to claim and most have very low claims limits which wouldn’t pay for anything major. It’s the first question I ask when a dealer offers a warranty. The local garage I looked at a Hyundai Tucson with had a useless £1,000 claims limit on their RAC warranty which was much hyped by the salesboy. The only warranties I’d put any real value on are approved used manufacturer backed warranties on approved used cars. These typically are very good with most offering a claims limit that is the value of the car. Though cosmetic and certain electrical components can be excluded. Our poor quality (ruined by American bean counters) Volvo XC60 had cause to visit the dealer numerous times for warranty repairs but fortunately everything bar a water damaged fog light was covered, and the dealer did that one as goodwill. I’ve never bought a warranty. But I’ve sold them in the past and experienced the anger from both customer and service staff alike. On a Honda Jazz I certainly wouldn’t part with any money for a useless bit of paper.

Recommendations Sub £5k Reliable Car (SLO76)

SLO76 — Wed, 01 May 2024 20:27:50 +0000

The Peugeot107/108, Citroen c1 and Toyota Aygo are best with the Daihatsu designed 3cyl 1.0 motor. It’s simple and long lived if looked after. The 1.2 was available in the 108 for a while but it’s not anywhere near as robust. The 1.0 nips along well enough in such a light car.

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (gordonbennet)

gordonbennet — Wed, 01 May 2024 20:16:54 +0000

The only time we've ever had such a warranty was when we bought the Merc coupe (still have it) when it was 6 years old around 2002/3, the dealer told us himself the warranty he supplied with all cars wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. I suspect, but have no evidence, that some minor claims are more likely paid out for statistical reasons whilst really expensive claims would more likely be rejected. Back in the 80's my next door neighbour bought an Audi 100CC estate (the curvy one they printed the low Cd figure on), he bought an aftermarket warranty with it, the automatic gearbox failed a few months later (how unusual on one of those) and in the small print the max figure for any one single claim came to about 1/3rd the cost of repair....the kicker was he'd traded in a mint low mileage Nissan Bluebird he'd had from new which never missed a beat for that Audi.

Recommendations Sub £5k Reliable Car (Adampr)

Adampr — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:12:25 +0000

202404168691790 Dacia Sandero with long MOT. MIL mentioned in 2022 but otherwise nothing of concern. Basic no nonsense transport with a simple and reliable 1.2 Renault engine, but more space than everything mentioned so far apart from the Jazz. Thank so much for your suggestions. I've seen a few Sanderos for sale. There is currently someone just up the road from me selling a Stepway 0.9 for £5,999 with just over 50k miles. My mother-in-law has a 2020 Sandero with the naturally aspirated 1.0 petrol. Is the turbo just as reliable? Sounds silly, but the only thing that puts me off the sandero is there being no boot release at the rear although, I'm sure it's easy to get used to. I thought you could open it as long as you have the key with you? We have a Renault Twingo with the 0.9tce engine and not had any problems with it. It has a decent reputation and is quite a fun thing. It is a lot livelier than the 1.0sce.

Any - Punctured door dkin (elekie&a/c doctor)

elekie&a/c doctor — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:07:48 +0000

Replacement door skins are very much a job from the past . I can’t think of any manufacturers that supply them . It’ll be a repair or replacement door .

Recommendations Sub £5k Reliable Car (Samuala)

Samuala — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:06:47 +0000

Any idea how the i10 rides on 14" wheels?

Recommendations Sub £5k Reliable Car (Samuala)

Samuala — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:06:13 +0000

Peugeot 107/108 based on the same platform. My mum has a 208 with the 1.2 puretech, assuming this is the same engine? Nothing but trouble. I think they pulled close to 200 fault codes at one point. Seems only the lower spec 108 comes with the 1.0l before 2018. C1 and Aygo offer throughout the range, so a few more options. Not seen many UP! Or siblings under £5,000, especially not with similar equipment as rivals.

Recommendations Sub £5k Reliable Car (Samuala)

Samuala — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:59:49 +0000

Recommendations Sub £5k Reliable Car (Samuala)

Samuala — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:57:49 +0000

Any - Punctured door dkin (Andrew-T)

Andrew-T — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:47:13 +0000

I suppose you mean a wall ? :-) But the only way to get a reliable answer is to visit a decent bodyshop and ask. If the guy sucks his teeth, maybe assume a new door is needed.

Ford Connect Van - Ford Connect Van - Wet belt or normal? (Dave N)

Dave N — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:42:40 +0000

Connect diesel isnt wet belt. Petrol is though.

Honda Jazz Hybrid - Multiple Honda 2020 model Brake Servo failures (Marie95)

Marie95 — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:41:49 +0000

I pointed out in my email that I was aware that this fault had been recognised by Honda in Japan as being due to a manufacturing fault and that in Japan those cars affected had been subject to a recall. I said that I was also aware that a number of Honda owners in the UK were also being affected by the problem and that Honda’s response so far had not been what was expected from a company which until now had a good reputation for reliability of their cars. That's helpful Chris - the more emails the MD receives the more likely he is to become fed-up with the issue and instruct Honda UK to get on with a general recall (??) Yes that is what I am hoping Theophilus

Any - Punctured door dkin (Halmerend)

Halmerend — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:40:49 +0000

Sorry just notice the title typo.

Any - Punctured door dkin (Dave N)

Dave N — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:38:51 +0000

Replace whole door probably

Any - Punctured door dkin (Halmerend)

Halmerend — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:37:16 +0000

Hi. I had an unfortunate low speed coming together with a low walk which has punctured a hole in the door skin. Will a reputable repairer replace the door skin or can they repair the existing door?

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (badbusdriver)

badbusdriver — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:35:03 +0000

we do have some money in the bank (although not enough yet to replace our Jazz with the Mazda CX3 that I'm saving up for ) Slightly off piste here, but have you had a look at a CX3 in the flesh and/or read the thread by Honda Jazzer? The Mazda CX3 was one of the prime candidates until such times as a physical encounter happened. Whereupon it was decided that the CX3 was just too cramped! As you would also be coming from a Jazz, the difference in space, particularly the rear seat, will be especially noticeable. Not a problem for some of course, but if you regularly carry rear passengers, it may be.

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (catsdad)

catsdad — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:30:34 +0000

I haven’t had a stand alone used car warranty for many years. A breakdown is a pain in the proverbial anyway and adding in the complication of having to make a claim is a hassle I can do without. Anecdotally they exclude so much that they’re of limited use. Rather than a standalone warranty our 2020 Vitara has a service activated warranty. This warrants the car, excluding wear and tear items, as long as it’s serviced by a participating dealer. Not all do, our local dealer is fifteen miles away and doesn’t participate. So for now we will make the 100 mile round trip to the dealer we bought it from until we’ve had it for a year. Once that’s passed I am not sure I will bother unless I can find a nearer dealer. My indie is very good and walkable in fine weather.

Any - Italian tuneups (Heidfirst)

Heidfirst — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:08:43 +0000

Don't you need to use the entire rev range in each gear, how do you use e.g. 0rpm (or idle rpm) in top? How do you hit max rpm in top on speed restricted roads? You can however, hit max rpm in lower gears whilst staying below the speed limit ...

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (argybargy)

argybargy — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:31:07 +0000

Many thanks for the responses, lots of common sense thinking there. Reckon I will ditch it this time round, not least because we do have some money in the bank (although not enough yet to replace our Jazz with the Mazda CX3 that I'm saving up for ) and should be able to cover anything but the most catastrophic failures. Which, as suggested by madf above, is unlikely with a Jazz.

Nissan Leaf - Leafing my wallet alone! (pd)

pd — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:29:26 +0000

There are some tariffs where it is possible to get it for free at certain times so I am not sure there is any real subsidy there. Anyone can get cheap electricity now the market has gone back to something near normal Electricity is never 'free' and rarely 'cheap'. As I intimated above, any subsidy is the more expensive price paid by other consumers (or indeed the same ones) at other times to the generator. I don't think it is a subsidy. It is just the nature of electricity generation that it isn't that easy to turn some off it on and off frequently so at times there is an excess of electricity they need rid of. You'd still need that peak capacity come what may and if you didn't off load cheap electricity overnight no one would buy it and nothing would be cheaper.

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (Andrew-T)

Andrew-T — Wed, 01 May 2024 14:56:13 +0000

Not sure how much breakdown cover costs, .... I thought we were discussing warranties, not Breakdown Cover ?

Nissan Leaf - Leafing my wallet alone! (mcb100)

mcb100 — Wed, 01 May 2024 12:59:06 +0000

‘There are some tariffs where it is possible to get it for free at certain times so I am not sure there is any real subsidy there.’ There are nights (windy ones!) when users on the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff will actually be paid to charge. It does need a compatible home charging solution or car (not all are compatible). It’s cheaper to pay consumers to take the electricity than it is to shut down a turbine, apparently. On a slightly different subject, China is regularly brought up as an anti-EV argument, as in ‘Well, what about China, opening two new coal fired power stations per hour/day/month/year/whatever?’ I’ve been reading a few articles recently, most are in agreement that China will hit ‘peak emissions’ as soon as soon as 2026 and from that point renewable start to become dominant.

Ford Connect Van - Ford Connect Van - Wet belt or normal? (elekie&a/c doctor)

elekie&a/c doctor — Wed, 01 May 2024 12:51:34 +0000

As a very rough guide any Diesel engine on these from around 2008 -13will be a wet belt drive .

Ford Connect Van - Ford Connect Van - Wet belt or normal? (Beth Swait)

Beth Swait — Wed, 01 May 2024 12:29:21 +0000

Hi, I am looking into getting a used Ford Connect as I have previously had several Ford Cars and really rate them. However I have been warned to avoid those with a wet belt, (for reasons I have researched) but I am struggling to find a way to tell which do and which don't. My local garage suggested it is only in the Eco range, is this correct?

Mini R52 cabriolet 2006 - Airbag code/reset scanner (elekie&a/c doctor)

elekie&a/c doctor — Wed, 01 May 2024 12:01:49 +0000

Topdon top scan lite . About £50 or less .

Mini R52 cabriolet 2006 - Airbag code/reset scanner (strickjumpers)

strickjumpers — Wed, 01 May 2024 11:38:32 +0000

Thanks. This link shows various options..which exact one is recommended please. Thanks again. Mike

Mini R52 cabriolet 2006 - Airbag code/reset scanner (elekie&a/c doctor)

elekie&a/c doctor — Wed, 01 May 2024 11:34:12 +0000

This will do airbags and a load more . https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=topscan+lite&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari

Mini R52 cabriolet 2006 - Airbag code/reset scanner (strickjumpers)

strickjumpers — Wed, 01 May 2024 11:20:04 +0000

Hello, I would like recommendations for a quality obd2 scanner that will give airbag codes and reset function. I have looked at the minefield of options and some say they don't function correctly. If anyone has experience of a good bit of kit I would be very grateful. Thank you. Mike

Nissan Leaf - Leafing my wallet alone! (John F)

John F — Wed, 01 May 2024 11:12:08 +0000

Honda Jazz Hybrid - Multiple Honda 2020 model Brake Servo failures (Theophilus)

Theophilus — Wed, 01 May 2024 11:09:18 +0000

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (madf)

madf — Wed, 01 May 2024 10:28:12 +0000

Based on my 10 years owning a 2012 CVT Honda Jazz, any warranty would be wasted as it has never had a major issue - lots of brake bits but that is wear and tear,(Just new front and rear disks plus pads plus sliding pins.. (I DIYed when 5 year warranty ran out.)

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (badbusdriver)

badbusdriver — Wed, 01 May 2024 10:09:28 +0000

My own opinion (which is not based on any relevant experience) is that aftermarket warranties are not worth bothering about. They are basically an insurance policy you are paying for the reliability of your car, and as such, if you claim, the cost of that cover is going to go up accordingly. Plus, the simple fact is that the companies providing them are businesses which exist for the sole purpose of profit. What I mean by that is that if your car doesn't brake down, they are profiting from you because you are paying them for nothing other than the illusion of peace of mind. If your does car bakes down, they are still profiting because the cost of said repairs will be less than what you have paid thus far, and the cost of the cover will go up the following year, possibly by a lot, because your car is now deemed a higher risk. The cover will also invariably have small print to exclude cover of anything very expensive unless you are paying a lot of money for very comprehensive cover. Not sure how much breakdown cover costs, but surely a better idea would be to set up a savings account and put equivalent monthly payments in that. Depending on how much you are putting in and how much a likely problem on your car would cost to rectify, you could leave 6-12 months payment in the account, but otherwise you can use the subsequent payments for other things like putting towards a holiday, going out for a meal, treating your partner etc. Of course this would entail you having the self control to leave that initial "lump sum" in the account just in case!

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (Andrew-T)

Andrew-T — Wed, 01 May 2024 09:58:58 +0000

I don't know about any particular warranties, but there have been discussions about the general principle. My own view is that you are simply placing a bet - you are unlikely to get your warranty money back unless you are (a) unlucky enough to suffer an expensive failure and (b) lucky enough for it to be covered. On balance, probably much better to put the warranty money in a piggy bank and enjoy it when it expires without being needed. I've never used them, nor needed them. If you buy your cars carefully you shouldn't either. In fact I remember once talking a dealer down by waiving his warranty. Mind you, all this was a long time ago, when faults on used cars would usually cost reasonable amounts to fix !

Nissan Micra - Nissan Micra Radio code? (elekie&a/c doctor)

elekie&a/c doctor — Wed, 01 May 2024 09:51:00 +0000

Can’t do these for free. E bay is your best option.

Nissan Leaf - Leafing my wallet alone! (pd)

pd — Wed, 01 May 2024 09:37:30 +0000

Honda Jazz 2013 - After market warranties (argybargy)

argybargy — Wed, 01 May 2024 09:33:13 +0000

I may well have asked this question before, so apologies in advance if it reads like a case of amnesia. Apart from a break of a few months, I've had after market warranties on all my cars since about 2008. I've claimed twice for fairly minor issues, never had a problem being paid out. But...over that period I must have paid a couple of grand in premiums. Last time I attempted to claim I fell foul of a garage owner's reluctance to deal with the warranty company. He'd clearly had problems with them in the past and wasn't even willing to provide itemised paperwork. So I paid for the work myself ( it was an MOT failure, cost about £250 so not big bucks). I wondered whether anyone had any thoughts on these warranties. It seems to me that although they may offer some peace of mind in the case of an unreliable car, when one owns a decent motor such as a Jazz and looks after it, then AMWs are money down the drain. Plus the fact that the claims process can be such a "faff" that it hardly seems worth the bother. I'm asking now because our current warranty is up for renewal this month and for the first time ever, I'm seriously thinking of dumping it. Any thoughts on the topic welcome, cheers. I

Nissan Micra - Nissan Micra Radio code? (Isabella Rewane-Dakolo)

Isabella Rewane-Dakolo — Wed, 01 May 2024 08:52:03 +0000

Hello! Would you be able to help with a radio code for my 2009 Nissan Micra pls? BP738387811393 7647383318 Thanks!

Nissan Leaf - Leafing my wallet alone! (John F)

John F — Wed, 01 May 2024 08:29:38 +0000

Quick Look this morning and the grid is using 5.8% fossil fuels at the moment, which is quite impressive. Must've been sunny and windy....this morning 33% comes from gas, and a large amount from imports, some of which will have been generated by fossil fuels according to this source.... https://www.energydashboard.co.uk/live Your single figure pence per kWh might not be directly from the tax payer, but it is subsidised by the double figure - often around 30 when the standing charge is included - paid by other users, most of whom will be tax payers. They are also the ones currently paying me over 60 tax-free p per kWh for the feed-in-tariff electricity I generate; more than enough to buy the petrol for the fewer than 2k miles a year I now do in my gas guzzler Audi.

Honda Jazz Hybrid - Multiple Honda 2020 model Brake Servo failures (Marie95)

Marie95 — Wed, 01 May 2024 08:12:45 +0000

I pointed out in my email that I was aware that this fault had been recognised by Honda in Japan as being due to a manufacturing fault and that in Japan those cars affected had been subject to a recall. I said that I was also aware that a number of Honda owners in the UK were also being affected by the problem and that Honda’s response so far had not been what was expected from a company which until now had a good reputation for reliability of their cars. T Thanks a lot, I appreciate you replying and will feedback if I have any luck.

Honda Jazz Hybrid - Multiple Honda 2020 model Brake Servo failures (Chis52)

Chis52 — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 22:36:33 +0000