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 • Martyn Knowles, Editor Email martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.uk Follow us on Facebook @ Car Mechanics

Car Mechanics

Going soft • Open-top motoring thrills are soon scuppered by expensive faults, leading Rob Marshall to investigate the maintenance, diagnostics and repair implications of fabric roofs.

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

News in Brief

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

Warped discs • PART TWO: We get to grips with an immediate problem – brake discs so worn the steering wheel is shaking under braking. Andrew Everett runs us through a complete brake overhaul and an engine service.

Fix one problem, find another • PART FIVE: Rob Hawkins believes luck is on our side when we discover our Clubman’s timing chain doesn’t need replacing and the engine oil leaks are straightforward to fix, but he’s soon caught out.

Dealer’s Diary • Peter Simpson and Rebecca Chaplin brings us car trading news as we slowly move out of lockdown.

TOWBAR-BASED STORAGE • James Stanbury explains why towbars are no longer just for dragging trailers and caravans along.

Disappearing Acts • There are a number of features that have been part of our cars for years but are slowly dying a death. But will we actually miss them?

SEAT Ibiza Mk4 • It’s like a Golf… but running costs are more Polo.

BMW N43 BUDGET ENGINE REBUILD • PART ONE: Andrew Everett buys a knocking N43 2.0 petrol engine for a pittance and rebuilds it for less than £100. What are the pitfalls?

Slimline SUV • Rob Hawkins discovers Daihatsu’s compact 4x4 is easy to service and preserve for future use.

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

Have a problem vehicle? GET IN TOUCH...

Diagnostics Doctor • Steve Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Plenty to offer • With four versions to choose from there should be a third-gen Megane for every taste, but should they make your used car shopping list? Chris Randall takes a closer look.

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • Is manual transmission set to disappear from cars in the same way as manual chokes? Peter thinks it’s a possibility…

The TECHNOLOGY driving your FUTURE car • Some see the push for electrification as threatening the very existence of a DIY-friendly budget car but Rob Marshall reports that Fiat proves otherwise with its first mild-hybrids.

Readers’ Motors • Jim Pace buys a Volvo.

Our Cars

A tale of two Volvos

In my Humble Opinion • Mike Humble...