Car Mechanics

Car Mechanics is the UK's only car magazine with essential advice on maintaining and repairing popular makes and models. It’s an invaluable motoring resource that appeals to both the DIY car enthusiast and the more experienced motor trade professional. Car Mechanics has helped save money for our readers every month since 1958. Each issue includes a wide range of in-depth features written in a clear, straightforward manner: • Readers’ motoring-related problems answered for FREE • Real-life motoring dilemmas from our man in the garage trade • Electronic diagnostics delves inside a different modern vehicle each month to explain its management system • Survival Guide looks at new and used component prices for a particular vehicle • Used Car Focus is an in-depth buying guide on a specific make and model • Service Bay covers a full service with close-up images and comprehensive descriptions • Project cars are a major part of the structure of the magazine as we buy, fix and sell different vehicles over a period of months So if you're into saving money and being a home technician, Car Mechanics will help you out - guaranteed!

Editorial

MOT updates

CAR MECHANICS

BODYWORK Spring Cleaning • Washing bodywork is the most popular DIY task but, as so many people inflict damage on their cars unintentionally, Rob Marshall consults with independent experts to learn how to do it properly.

CM Insider • Ben Hackney-Williams brings you another month of news and reviews from the automotive industry

News in Brief

New from LASER

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • These are difficult times at the DVLA, but there are ways that we can help them help us…

Tales from the workshop • Fixing advice from our garage proprietor Steve Rothwell

Servicing checks • PART THREE: Rob Hawkins spends a couple of days in his garage checking and servicing the brakes, engine and other aspects of our Cooper S.

Final drive • PART SIX:Still intermittently smoking, our Saab 9–3 is certainly testing our patience. Have we cured it yet? We also renew the 150,000-mile dampers.

TOOLS NEEDED

Drainage maintenance • Andrew Rolland discovers why his 2013 BMW 5-Series is filling up with rain water.

LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN

Fiat 500 Abarth • The cute city car is far more macho in Abarth guise, and it’s not dear to buy or run either.

THE THREE TECHNOLOGIES • Today, there are three types of booster technology out there:

JUMP STARTERS • Lockdowns have left many of us with a flat battery. But which booster, and type of booster, is best to get us going again?

Our Criteria

HOW LONG’S A PIECE OF STRING?

Ford Ka 1.2 • PART ONE: Rob Hawkins replaces the timing belt and tensioner on a Mk2 Ford Ka and discovers several potential problems.

Dealer’s Diary • Peter Simpson and Rebecca Chaplin brings us car trading news during the national restriction periods.

Rob says

Sports car service • Rob Hawkins reveals how to service the second-generation Mazda MX-5

Help! • Your non-diagnostic vehicle-related problems solved by Steve Rothwell

Have a problem vehicle? GET IN TOUCH…

Sourcing vehicle manuals

Diagnostics Doctor • Steve Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Electronic Diagnostics VW POLO 1.4 TDI • Tracing and fixing faults in electronic engine management systems

Useful Data • Below are shown the official recommended change intervals for the various components.

Your Letters

STAR LETTER • The reader awarded the STAR letter will receive a Sealey LED318R lamp

Martyn Knowles Editor

Rob Hawkins Special Contributor

In my Humble Opinion • Mike Humble warns of buying cars unseen...