HONEST JOHN EXPERT ADVICE

The dealer you can trust is on hand to answer your questions on car problems and consumer issues

OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS

I have two ageing dogs who are finding it increasingly difficult to jump into the back of our Renault Scénic. I can lift the small one, but the German Shepherd is beyond my capacity. Can you suggest a replacement with a low rear sill? It does not have to be at all posh. DHS

The best is a van-based Citroën Berlingo Multispace or the similar Peugeot Partner. Readers have also bought Fiat Doblo MPVs very cheaply. Among cars, a Honda Jazz has a low sill and a completely flat load deck; you can also flip up the back seat squabs and allow the dogs into the spacious, flat rear footwell.

SWEDE DREAMS

I have had to sell my lovely Ford Puma and wish to replace it with a Volvo C30 petrol automatic. However, I’ve read these are to be avoided. Is this true? SW

The C30 is actually quite a good replacement for a Puma. It’s based on a previous generation Ford Focus. If automatic it needs to have a torque converter, not a potentially troublesome Powershift system. My preferred C30 was the T5, a Focus ST in a coupé body and actually nicer.

CAT SHELTER

There appear to be quite a few exmanagement or dealer demonstrator Jaguar XJ diesels available for about £40,000, with very low mileage. Given the current anti-diesel climate, would it be foolish to buy one to keep for, say, five years and 7,000 miles per year? JH

Dealers had to get them registered prior to September 1 because they are not certified to the new EU6d TEMP/ WLTP emissions test that came into force at that point. Unless your annual mileage comprises plenty of long runs (of at least 50 miles), I would not buy a diesel.

OPEN AND SHUT CASE

I have a three-year-old VW Golf that I’d like to retro-fit with a sunroof. Is this practicable without significantly weakening the rigidity of the bodyshell? CR

I don’t recommend converting an existing car. If you really want or need a sunroof, it’s far better to buy a car with a factoryfitted item.

BOXING CLEVER

My 2005 Porsche Boxster S Tiptronic jumps out of gear and the lever becomes increasingly difficult to move as the car gets hotter during a run. It has done 55,000 miles, without a gearbox service as far as I know. Would changing the transmission fluids solve this problem? CH

It might. Make sure you find an automatic gearbox specialist that’s a member of fedauto.co.uk and has a Liqui Moly Geartronic automatic transmission dialysis machine.

CR STUMPS HJ

My 2001 Morgan Plus 8 has had its engine chipped to rectify a fuel mapping problem. I have been told by a dealer not to use premium-grade petrol but standard unleaded, as that suits this engine better. You constantly advise using the best fuel. What would be your advice in this case? CR

This engine is basically an old pushrod GM Buick aluminium V8 dating from the 1960s. It was originally designed to run on leaded Super petrol, but I have no idea what modifications have been carried out so can’t contradict the advice you have been given.

MODESTY BLAZE

Can you suggest a good used car for my daughter, who has just passed her driving test at the age of 36? It would be mainly for local use and driving to work, with the occasional 80-mile return journey to see us. Economy and reliability are more important than looks or acceleration. Her budget is £1,000 to £1,500. Any ideas? DC

Look at a Toyota Yaris, preferably with a 1.3-litre petrol engine. The manual and four-speed automatic gearboxes are fine, but avoid the MMT automated manual.

SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

I have a Vauxhall Agila, which has gone out of production. I would like to replace it but I require something as similar as possible to the Agila. Ease of access and a high seating position are desirable. What models should I look at? JA

Consider the Kia Venga, Hyundai ix20 and small SUV crossovers such as the Kia Stonic, Hyundai Kona, Seat Arona, Ford Fiesta Active, Citroën C3 Aircross, Peugeot 2008, Suzuki Ignis, Vauxhall Viva Rocks, Kia Picanto X-Line and so on.

DROP-TOP DROP

Having recently retired, we have ben thinking about buying a Mini convertible as a second car. Would we get a better deal by leaving it until the winter? GR

Convertible prices tend to be at their peak in June and July; a stormy autumn and a snowy winter will cause them to fall significantly.

DSG APPARENTLY OK...

I have a 2017 Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI 4x4 DSG with 6,000 miles. I have read many reports in your column about problems with the DSG gearboxes in VW Group cars so is there anything I can do to obviate possible problems? JB The 2.0 TDI drives through the DQ250 six-speed wet clutch DSG. That requires fresh fluid and filter every three years or 38,000 miles. If this is done it should be fine.

BUY ONE AND STOP ME

I have a six-year-old Mitsubishi Outlander. The ABS and ASC warning lights came on and the garage says the ABS pump needs replacing at a cost of more than £2,000. This seems a very large amount – is it reasonable? How do I know that it’s not just a fault with the warning light, as it came on during the recent very hot weather? If the pump is faulty, can it be repaired at a lower price rather than replaced? JH

Talk to ecutesting.com about having the ABS/ESC module reconditioned. Readers complain about being told to replace their brake fluid every two years, but the point of this is to renew it before moisture contaminates it and corrodes the internal components of the ABS module.

MISSION IMPASSABLE

What happens when a self-driving car meets another vehicle coming from the opposite direction on a single-track road with passing places? AT

If the approaching car is not autonomous, there could be a collision. If both of them are autonomous they won’t collide. However, they will then be stuck there until a human being intervenes and engages reverse.