Car maintenance: Common issues with unknown car noises - Honest John answers your questions

Honest John has been the resident “agony uncle” at The Daily Telegraph for more than 20 years, responding to readers’ car-related queries with his trademark blend of experience, authority and, sometimes, bluntness.

He remains undeterred by the volume of correspondence he receives every week, from car-buying advice to the sort of complex legal cases from which he has gained a solid reputation as a champion of consumer rights.

Despite receiving many hundreds of queries each week from Telegraph readers and via his own website, Honest continues to deliver his no-nonsense - and, always, highly trusted - advice.

For ease of use, we’ve broken batches of Honest John queries into sections relating to the nature of the problem, such as tyres, odd noises, diesel issues, automatic gearboxes and the like.

If your car has developed a fault, or for consumer advice, turn to Honest John by emailing honestadvice@telegraph.co.uk

And if you’re one of the many readers who simply enjoys the amusing headlines (credit goes to Simon Arron for these), then go to our selection from the extensive Honest John archive.

Brake noise

My 1992 car has a Ford 2.9 V6 engine and four-speed autobox. If I press the brake pedal on start-up, I get a soft hissing noise that stops when I release the pressure. Any ideas? Is it safe? KB

It sounds like a pin-prick rust hole in the brake vacuum servo.

Rattling engine sound

My 2012 VW Polo 1.4 petrol automatic has a rattle that makes the engine sound like a diesel. It starts at 1,100rpm and ceases at about 1,250. This occurs under load. Otherwise it’s working well. It has had the VW recall for a change of transmission oil. I would be grateful for any ideas. I’m hoping to go France in the near future and am a bit worried that it might break down. MM

That’s typical of the VW Group DQ200 seven-speed dry clutch DSG. Reports of failures come in all the time. From your description, it’s more likely to be the clutch pack than the Mechatronics, which is a relief because replacing a clutch pack is much cheaper and you might get some goodwill from VW.

Should I buy a Ford Kuga?

I am considering a new Ford Kuga with the 1.5 Ecoboost engine. Would this be a better option than its diesel equivalent? WB

Yes. As long as you don't intend to tow, the 1.5 Ecoboost is a better long-term choice. Also consider a VW Tiguan with the 1.4/1.5 TSI (though there's a wait for that), a Tiguan 2.0 TSI or a Suzuki Vitara 1.4T Boosterjet.

Why does my car make a loud noise when accelerating?

The engine in my 36,000-mile Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDI makes a loudish noise when I accelerate hard in sixth gear, especially on an incline. My main dealer has checked it out but says no fault can be found. What could be causing this - and might it be serious? JH

If you are accelerating in sixth up an incline in a Sportage 1.7 CRDI then you will probably be loading the engine too much, especially if the revs are below 2,000. The noise could be the dual mass flywheel protesting. You need to change down a gear (or two).

Rear noise

I have an MG ZT, bought as new (unregistered for six years) in 2011. It has developed an irritating drumming noise that appears to come from the rear when in motion. I replaced the rear discs and pads but it made no difference. The tyres are the original Continentals and show no uneven wear. I have been under the car and there is nothing loose. I thought it might be the wheel bearings, but I had one of those replaced a couple of years ago and so is relatively new. When the car is jacked up there is no undue movement on either of the rear wheels. I am totally perplexed.PC

It's possible that the strengthening band across the inside of the roof has come adrift from the roof itself.

Replacing a catalytic converter

The catalytic converter of my 1995 Jaguar XJ6 is making noises. The local Jag dealer in Exeter says it cannot be replaced and will fail its MoT in September. The car runs beautifully. What would you do? Is it possible to get one from a breaker? LH

Presumably it's rattling because the ceramic matrix has broken up. It's highly likely that one sourced from a breaker will have suffered shock damage and will be in the same state. If you key “Jaguar XJ catalytic converter suppliers” into Google you will find a cheaper replacement than a main dealer can supply.

Can air intake create noise?

I have a VW Golf 1.4 TSI and there is a growling noise at low speed, or when accelerating. It has been suggested this might be the air intake in the turbo. Is this a possibility and is this a known problem? JB

That is most likely to be an air intake noise because a pipe has split or come adrift; not a fault with the turbo itself. But if it’s the timing chain you’re in trouble...