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!

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The Peter Simpson COLUMN • Peter tries – and fails – to find a good reason for diesel in his home town costing 16p a litre more than it does ten miles down the road…

HARD TOPS • While not so popular on the new car market any more, folding hard tops offer bargain topless thrills, yet Rob Marshall finds that they can also cause severe headaches.

Tales from the workshop

Hybrid vehicles • PART TWO: Peter Simpson concludes our look at hybrid-petrol technology with some advice on maintenance, fault-finding and cost-effective fixes.

Keeping a JOBS cool head • PART TWO: Sam Skelton finds out why his Range Rover wet itself, replaces the rear wiper motor, and adjusts the driving position.

Paint & rustproofing • PART SIX: In the final instalment, Rob Hawkins replaces the aircon condenser, has the front bumper paint repaired and tackles some rustproofing.

TOP 30 VALUE FOR MONEY BUYS from £2000 to £10,000

CITY RUNABOUTS up to 60,000 miles

HYBRIDS/PLUG-IN HYBRIDS up to 100,000 miles

FAMILY SUVs up to 100,000 miles

FUN TO DRIVE up to 60,000 miles

PRESTIGE CRUISERS up to 100,000 miles

Dealer’s Diary • Peter Simpson provides us with an insight into the automotive sales trading world – and beyond.

Fiat 124 Spider • If you admired the classic original, you’ll love this one. Not least because it’s basically a MX-5 underneath.

Key to longevity • Rob Hawkins visits AES near York to help service a 15-year-old Avensis with over 320,000 miles on the clock.

RATCHET SPANNERS • They can save time undoing nuts and bolts. Rob tests 13 sets of ratchet spanners to see which are the best.

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

Diagnostics Doctor • Steve Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Electronic Diagnostics • Mark Shipman of Auto Electrical Services near York explains to Rob Hawkins where the engine sensors can be found on a Peugeot 208 and outlines some of the common issues that can arise.

Our Cars

Your Letters

NEXT MONTH

In my Humble Opinion • Mike Humble leaves cars behind for a while as he gets his fix of engineering.