Answers and Advice

[JB]

Thanks all in advance for any replies, first, do you only get about six warnings to change
remote battery? got warnings then got new batteries now not getting any warnings and
have not changed battery, if it does need to be changed how is it done?
I have oct 23 advance sport 11,000 miles, was thinking about taking out extended warranty
in oct 26 but have heard some Honda dealers include m-o-ts and some don't [I do have a service
plan with breakdown cover for five years taken when new] so are Honda dealers not all the same?
last thing I think if Honda brought out a new jazz this year or next year and I decided to have one
[as it would be my last car] before I lost more money on my currant car it would be pointless taking
out extended warranty, if a new jazz was all electric I would take out the extended warranty as
there is no way I would have an all electric car, again thanks for any replies.

[Downsizer]

My experience has been that the service plan bought with a new car does not include MOT, but if you then buy an extension after five years, MOT can be included.

[Kremmen]

When I lived in greater London, Crown Honda Bushey included a free MOT with each service

Crown have since been taken over by Brayley Honda so who knows if this dealership still does the same

[Lord Voltermore]

The warning comes on when the signal is weak.. Not sure it can be quantified as just 6 warnings.   The key will continue to make transmissions, further weakening the battery even if you do not use the car key.  So if you leave it too long before  replacing the battery its possible the battery will be completely flat next time you try to use the car,with no second warning, let alone 6.    If temperature rises the battery may  again preform just well enough  to stop the warnings for a while. It doesnt mean everything is now ok .The battery may also  fail suddenly as temperature drops.   You have been warned and its best to replace the battery asap.   

Another possibility  is the weak signal was because the key was shielded, maybe in a bag etc  ,rather than a weak battery.  It may now be in stronger signal area .   

Changing the battery is easy.  First remove the 'emergency key' from the remote  . (BTW this key will get you into the car if the battery is completely flat) .  This reveals a location where you can put a coin, or large flat  screwdriver between two  prominent blocks and  by twisting  prise the top and bottom halves apart.  Its quite robustly made so it does take quite a bit of force the first time. Not beyond  physical ability, but I was starting to wonder if I was doing it wrong or might damage the key before it finally unclipped (maybe use a screwdriver whilst conveniently  at home , but a coin or even the removed emergency key will do the job)   Once apart  replacing the battery is obvious and easy and it clips back together with a reassuring quality feel .  The instructions advise wrapping the coin  in a cloth to prevent scratching the remote. I no longer bother. It also advises care to avoid losing the buttons, which might put you off. IMO the buttons seem secure with little risk.     See photo. 

 Dont be tempted to use budget priced  batteries. These may only last a few weeks at best. A few brands have a security insulating sticker that must be removed before use but may not be obvious. 

I have always had to pay extra for an mot at any previous dealerships (of all brands) and my current Honda one.   If you have several Honda dealerships nearby (increasingly uncommon) maybe ring round and ask.  Even if they normally charge for the MOT they might offer it free to secure your custom   ,especially if you can mention going to a rival dealership who actually do free MOT's.  ( but how far extra is it worth travelling to save the fee? )

[Sean Regan]

I bought a 23Reg Crosstar, last year from a main dealer. It's due it's first MOT in March when it will have its next service. It will cost me £380 including the MOT.

[JB]

The warning comes on when the signal is weak.. Not sure it can be quantified as just 6 warnings.   The key will continue to make transmissions, further weakening the battery even if you do not use the car key.  So if you leave it too long before  replacing the battery its possible the battery will be completely flat next time you try to use the car,with no second warning, let alone 6.    If temperature rises the battery may  again preform just well enough  to stop the warnings for a while. It doesnt mean everything is now ok .The battery may also  fail suddenly as temperature drops.   You have been warned and its best to replace the battery asap.   

Another possibility  is the weak signal was because the key was shielded, maybe in a bag etc  ,rather than a weak battery.  It may now be in stronger signal area .   

Changing the battery is easy.  First remove the 'emergency key' from the remote  . (BTW this key will get you into the car if the battery is completely flat) .  This reveals a location where you can put a coin, or large flat  screwdriver between two  prominent blocks and  by twisting  prise the top and bottom halves apart.  Its quite robustly made so it does take quite a bit of force the first time. Not beyond  physical ability, but I was starting to wonder if I was doing it wrong or might damage the key before it finally unclipped (maybe use a screwdriver whilst conveniently  at home , but a coin or even the removed emergency key will do the job)   Once apart  replacing the battery is obvious and easy and it clips back together with a reassuring quality feel .  The instructions advise wrapping the coin  in a cloth to prevent scratching the remote. I no longer bother. It also advises care to avoid losing the buttons, which might put you off. IMO the buttons seem secure with little risk.     See photo. 

 Dont be tempted to use budget priced  batteries. These may only last a few weeks at best. A few brands have a security insulating sticker that must be removed before use but may not be obvious. 

I have always had to pay extra for an mot at any previous dealerships (of all brands) and my current Honda one.   If you have several Honda dealerships nearby (increasingly uncommon) maybe ring round and ask.  Even if they normally charge for the MOT they might offer it free to secure your custom   ,especially if you can mention going to a rival dealership who actually do free MOT's.  ( but how far extra is it worth travelling to save the fee? )

Thank you very much.

[JB]

I bought a 23Reg Crosstar, last year from a main dealer. It's due it's first MOT in March when it will have its next service. It will cost me £380 including the MOT.

That sounds to me that taking out the 5 year service plan was a no brainer,
I do know that a lot of independent garages offer half price m-o-t if your car is serviced
by them, cheers.

[JB]

My experience has been that the service plan bought with a new car does not include MOT, but if you then buy an extension after five years, MOT can be included.

It was not the service plan I meant, it was the extend warranty after 3 years which I had seen
could include free m-o-t cheers.

[RuthieB]

Regarding the key fob battery , once the car is locked, you can prolong battery life by keeping both key fob buttons simultaneously depressed for about 6 seconds till the red LED flashes ……the key fob is deactivated.
 You have to reactivate the fob by simply pressing the open button once you are in range of the car.
Easy peasy!

[JB]

Regarding the key fob battery , once the car is locked, you can prolong battery life by keeping both key fob buttons simultaneously depressed for about 6 seconds till the red LED flashes ……the key fob is deactivated.
 You have to reactivate the fob by simply pressing the open button once you are in range of the car.
Easy peasy!

Thanks, if I had known that I would not have bothered getting a faraday bag.

[JB]

My experience has been that the service plan bought with a new car does not include MOT, but if you then buy an extension after five years, MOT can be included.

Thanks, that's exactly what I read, then noticed depending on dealer [some do some don't]
I would have thought that a 5 year extended warranty taken out with Honda that Honda would tell
all their dealers that the plan includes free m o t not leaving it up to the dealers to decide if they do
or don't.

[Lord Voltermore]

Mot is one of several things where the independent dealerships can decide for themselves whether to charge for 'extras' beyond the Honda servicing schedule , such as an MOT .  Some may offer a free MOT  to attract owners of 3+ year old cars which might otherwise be serviced, and MOT'd by  cheaper independent garages. , many of which offer discounted MOT's knowing failures brings  extra repair business . I have seen one or two Honda dealerships  that  actively advertise they service all makes  of car. 

Some dealerships have multiple branches, and multiple franchises and are perhaps more geared towards new  car sales staff than  workshop capacity and  technicians.    These may prefer £45 MOT fees on the corporate balance sheet , and often  actively try to include  overpriced  extras such as A/C service, bacterial treatments etc, which may be unnecessary  or much cheaper done elsewhere . My own dealership charges for MOT's but have realised that profits from  overpriced extras  loses more in customer goodwill.

At   my 2021 cars third Honda service  I briefly considered  having the MOT done separately by my 'favourite' MOT centre  at half the cost  .(   I had used them   many times, on a variety of cars with very fair results.  ) I didnt, partly because the car was still under 5 year warranty . If it failed on something covered by warranty  better to have it all  in-house.

[Jazzfreak]

I have a 5 yr service plan. Never enquired about mot. What I do is ask Dealer to collect my car ( fee involved now) and service it.
Short time later take it for mot at my local trustworthy independent garage family business. Good price also.

And Bobs your Uncle and Fanny’s your Aunt!

[JB]

JazzFreak, that's exactly the decision I will have to make on 30th September this year.

[John Ratsey]

My dealer doesn't do MoTs so they have to pay someone else and pass the bill on to me. The service bill gets given to Honda.