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!

Season’s Greetings

Parts ordering delays

Emission zones expand

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • Buying at auction always carries an element of risk, and even experienced buyers can be caught out sometimes.

LIGHTING UP • Like virtually all parts of the modern motor car, lighting has become more complicated but Rob Marshall finds that owners are not banished entirely from repairing, maintaining and upgrading from home.

BULBS – MAXIMISING LIFE

ILLEGAL UPGRADES

LED bulb

LEGAL UPGRADES

HID BALLAST DIAGNOSTICS

LED MATRIX HEADLIGHT FAU LTS

PLASTIC COVER RENOVATION

LED & HID LEVELLING

MODERN HEADLAMPS: HIDDEN COMPLICATIONS

IMPACT DAMAGE

THE UNWELCOME GUEST...

CMA investigates completed merger • Ben Hackney-Williams brings you another month of news and reviews from the automotive industry

Mini side car lift, maximum results

New kit from febi matching OE quality

Halfords Retyrement Plan offering later life apprenticeships

News in Brief

A timeless classic: 70 years of Airfix

News in Brief

Clarke makes light work of any task

Low battery, belt drive loss

Park /Neutral switch trouble

Knock gone

Clutch and flywheel catastrophe

Creaking suspension

Red light warning

Failed bush

Wrong fuel problem

Washer bottle mix up

Belt swap • PART THREE: Our 2008 Panda 100HP was getting near to needing a timing belt renewal. Easy or tricky? With one proviso and no special tools, it’s very doable. Andrew Everett reports.

Fixing aircon, & stereo amp • PART SIX: In the final episode of our Sportage project series, Rob Hawkins reassembles the freshly painted driver’s door, then attempts to finish all of the remaining jobs.

MERC A-CLASS • From ugly duckling to swan, here’s why the Mercedes-Benz A-Class now makes sense as a used family hatch.

LOVE A LOCK-UP? • Happiness is your own garage – and those who have one don’t know how lucky they are! One answer is to rent a lock-up but there’s more to it than simply finding one says Alan Anderson.

Take a Brake

Full disclosure • Peter Simpson provides us with an insight into the automotive sales trading world – and beyond.

Fewer cars = faulty cars

Premium prices

Always respond!

Maximising EV range • Range isn’t the anxiety it used to be, but carmakers remain focused on making their EVs go as far as possible. Chris Randall takes a look at some of the ways they do it.

Second-gen servicing • Rob Hawkins visits independent Land Rover specialist Four...