Installing a home garage inspection pit

Maintaining a Nissan electric van

DIAGNOSTICS Honda Civic

BUYING TIPS Skoda Octavia

Past Innovations
We have a bundle of nostalgia this issue as we look at those automotive designs that didn’t quite last the test of time.

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi
Part ONE: We’ve bought a 2010 Titanium X model from the auctions – what could possibly be wrong!

Lighting up
Like virtually all parts of the modern motor car, lighting has become more complicated, but as we find, owners are not banished entirely from repairing, maintaining and upgrading from home..

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi
Part SIX: Rebuilding the replacement offside door, fitting an aircon condenser and trying to fix the rear-view camera..

Adding Additives
In today’s cost-conscious times, supplementary additives promise means of cutting motoring costs. CM studies whether you should dismiss them, or not.

Getrag Gearbox Rebuild
Part TWO: We send our gearbox to a specialist who finds the main shaft is worn and performs a repair as new components are now not readily available..

Fiat Panda 1.4 100HP
Part ONE: We’ve bought one of the cheapest roadworthy Panda 100HPs out there. Find out what is wrong with it...

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi
Part FOUR: Clutch pedal switch problem fixed and new rear brakes..

Tales from the Workshop
Real-life workshop problems, and how they were fixed.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 350
Part SIX: We send our SLK to the main dealer to have the rear subframe renewed - you’ll be amazed at the result.

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi
Part TWO: We started tackling the bodywork scuffs and dents first before trying to locate an orange driver’s door.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 350
Part FIVE: With the rust cut-out of the front wings and new metal fabricated to fit, we tidy up the repairs and fix the split front bumper before sending our SLK to the paintshop.

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi
Part ONE: Our 11-year-old Kia has the hallmarks of being a lovely vehicle – once we fixed a few things that is. Find out what we have bought...

Mercedes-Benz SLK 350
Part FOUR: A small rust spot on the front wings is a common rot problem. We show you how to fix it correctly so it won’t come back – but it’s a costly exercise...

Owning and fixing a Bentley or Rolls-Royce
Can you really afford to own and run a Bentley or Rolls – or will it drain all your spare cash? We buy one to find out.

Mercedes-Benz SLK
Part THREE: 7-speed automatic transmission service including new oil, filter, sump and plug.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 350
Part TWO: Fitting new Brembo front discs and pads, changing the air filters and fitting a new auxiliary drive belt.

Tales from the Workshop
Real-life workshop problems, and how they were fixed.

Home Trading A beginners’ guide to buying and selling used vehicles.

Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show Report from the NEC.

Volkswagen Fox Advice on buying the best.

Front End Auxiliary Drive Systems Enhance your auxiliary belt’s life with a kit of parts.

Steering systems Troubleshooting and fixing electrical and hydraulic power steering systems.

CM Visit: Holt Lloyd International We tour the R&D facilities of the car care experts.

Vauxhall Insignia Part eleven: Just when you thought it was safe to get in the Insignia... disaster strikes again and the Insignia is rear-ended.

Land Rover Freelander viscous coupling This simple swap can lengthen a Freelander’s life significantly.

Upgrading lighting - The latest advances in headlamp technology and a guide to fitting LED daytime running lights.

Part-worn tyres - A guide to buying secondhand rubber wisely and safely and more...

Diagnostics Masterclass Learn the skill of reading and interpreting vehicle electronics.

Tea break: Ignition systems How ignition evolved over time.

Project Garage Part five: Sorting out the storage areas for the new garage.

Skoda Superb Mk2 Sourcing new and used parts.

Oil and lubrication A look at modern advances in vehicle oil formulation.

Fuel saving technology New developments to help improve fuel economy.

The aquaplaning warning system

Tales from the Workshop Unusual tips and fixes.

Making repairs to Air-conditioning Systems

Mechanics’ GLOVES Disposable & reusable work gloves TESTED

Project Garage Adding electrics & LED lighting

Four-wheel steering

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!

Overhauling cooling systems An in-depth guide to what goes wrong with cooling systems and how to put them right.

Volkswagen Eos Advice on buying the best of the undervalued soft-top.

Tales from the Workshop Unusual tips and fixes.

Project Garage Part three: The build begins.

Overhauling driveshafts an in-depth guide to what goes wrong with vehicle driveshafts and how to rectify problems.

Old workshop photos cm readers recount their early workshop memories – plus our staff members’ pics.

Hyundai coupé sourcing new and used parts.

Automatic gearboxes Troubleshooting and fixing autobox problems.

Vauxhall Insignia Part two: Swapping over the 2.0 CDTi turbocharger.

Tales from the Workshop Unusual tips and fixes.

Timing Belt Clinic: Renault Clio 1.2 16v

Catalytic converters & diesel particulate filters How to make sure your emissions systems are up to scratch.

Product Test: brake bleeders & fluid testers 10 systems go head-to-head.

Beaulieu Auto jumble Show report.

Land Rover shuttle valve solenoid replacement

Brake servo swap

Strut top mounts renewed

PARTS SURVEY Skoda Roomster Find budget spares

BUYING GUIDE Suzuki Jimny Compact off-roader

Underbody rustproofing How to prevent corrosion from taking hold, plus professional tips for applying coatings.

Modifications: Interior upgrades Options for making a car cabin that’s fit for a king.

Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Part seven: In the final instalment, we overhaul our Merc’s turbocharger.

Ford 1.6 timing belt change

DIAGNOSTICS Porsche Boxster

PARTS SURVEY Bentley Arnage Reduce running costs

BUYING GUIDE Audi TT Mk2 Pick a good one

DIY paint repairs Affordable repairs for scuffs and scratches, plus top advice for aerosol can resprays.

Modifications: Throttle bodies The best upgrades for your car.

Toyota Celica Sourcing new and used parts.

Tales from the Workshop

Timing Belts Treated correctly, timing belts can be better than chains. Here’s how.

Product Test: 2.5-3.0 tonne lifting jacks Testing seven of the best.

Tales from the Workshop Unusual tips and fixes.

Dealer’s Diary Mourning an abused Jaguar XK.

The art of welding Choosing the best welder and making perfect seams every time

National Kit Car Show Report from the 2017 event.

Chrysler Voyager Sourcing new and used parts.

Common-rail diesel technology A guide to troubleshooting and fixes for high-pressure systems.

Tea Break: Manual transmission The history of manual gearboxes.

Brake bleeding disaster The dangers of cheap parts.

Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Part two: We cover a full vehicle inspection and service.

Electronic Diagnostics A guide to simple troubleshooting and fixes for the DIY mechanic.

Product Test: Retro-fit TPMS systems Nine kits go head-to-head.

Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Part one: Introducing our £3000 auction bargain.

BMW 118d Part five: Sorting the brakes and that odd humming from the front.

Audi A4 2.0 TDI 

Ford Fiesta EcoBoost

Shocking dampers revived

Maintain & fix Superchargers

February 2023

January 2023

December 2022

November 2022

October 2022

September 2022

August 2022

July 2022

June 2022

January 2019

December 2018

November 2018

October 2018

September 2018

August 2018

July 2018

Maintain and repair YOUR car!

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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Car Mechanics - April 2018

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