Car Mechanics

25/08/2026

Did a 400+ mile journey to Derbyshire from Sussex just last weekend. Averaged 74mpg and not a hint of aggro from battered old Vauxhall Ashtray diseasel. I've done 8000 miles since purchase

You can buy an old scrotter of a car that does you proud.

Your examples please kids?

^MH

20/08/2026

Jaguar revealed the interior for its new Type 01 this week, which seemed to receive much the same reaction as when they first revealed the concept a couple of years ago.

But instead of picking apart the Jag’s design, tell us instead what you think makes for the perfect car interior. What are the right ingredients for you when it comes to design inside a car? What are some of your favourite examples? ^JB

19/08/2026

Amongst other outlets, I co-edit the worlds biggest resource site for all things BMC to Austin Rover through to MG Rover. The website is 25 years old this year and we are having a bit of a do at one of the best motor museums in the UK - The Great British Car Journey, Derbyshire, this coming Sunday (23rd)

If you've never been, then you're a big soft Jessy... It's a must and a veritable retro-fest. Celebrity talks, quizzes and prizes... Even some cake too.

To find out more, click on the link for the full S.P

^MH

AROnline Day 2026 at Great British Car Journey

We’re returning to Great British Car Journey on 23 August for a celebration of British cars, the AROnline community and 25 years of the website.

17/08/2026

It was still mega hot over the weekend – thankfully a cooling off period this week (and rain🤞).

My car action was down to a friend hitting a bollard with her 2019 Kia Picanto. The lady asked if I could knock out the dent. Not a chance, it's right in the corner by the foglight. I did take the nearside front wheel off to get a hammer behind the bumper, though that didn't work either. New, unpainted, bumpers can be bought for just over £140.

Tell us below your car repairs/fixes activity...

MK

13/08/2026

You only have to next Monday to get your entry in to WIN the latest Clarke competition prize.

One lucky person will win this CAR LIFT worth nearly £1500.

https://carmechanicsmag.co.uk/car-lift

You gotta be in it to win it!

MK

12/08/2026

Stepping back to 1980 with the Metropolitan Police at an RTA scene.

What a veritable Leyland-fest.

Check out the Marina's rear axle location.... I think it's had it don't you?

^MH

11/08/2026

Found myself at Baldock Services on the Herts stretch of the A1M, part of the 'Extra' chain, yesterday evening.

Bright, airy, clean and tidy and a cracking Harry Ramsdens chippy too. I was bloody impressed!

What's your fave stop off places and which ones do you loath (Hilton Park is my horror)

^MH

10/08/2026

Used a headlight resto kit over the weekend that requires no power tools. 3 stage operation. I'll report on the kit in a future magazine.

Anyone else had a busy weekend?

MK

07/08/2026

SEPTEMBER 2026 issue on sale from
August 7th to September 3rd 2026.

Car Mechanics magazine is available from high street stores including WHSmith (TG Jones) and the bigger supermarkets: Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and some Sainsbury's stores. Plus local retailers.

Or buy a copy online here:
https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/single-issue/car-mechanics-magazine

Or take out a subscription here:
https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/car-mechanics-magazine

TYRES: They might not be the most thrilling purchase you make but tyres are one of the most important. Rob Marshall, therefore, looks into how you can obtain the best value.

PETER SIMPSON COLUMN – Parking charges vary considerably from place-to-place and provider-to-provider. Peter ponders a few reasons.

TALES FROM THE WORKSHOP – Real life repairs advice from our resident garage proprietor.

PROJECT RANGE ROVER EVOQUE, Pt1: The Editor just picked up a 2014 Evoque Dynamic Lux with the ZF 9-speed auto. Its Zanzibar metallic bronze paintwork looks stunning in the sun. The price? Under £4800 from British Car Auctions. Here we assess our purchase and plot out any repairs going forward.

PROJECT VOLVO XC90 D5, Pt4 – Rob Marshall is busy fitting a new PAS pump, aircon condenser and radiator, while the alternator is checked and remanufactured.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE – Fitting front dampers and springs on the driveway.

BUYING & OWNING – Honda Civic Type R FK2 (2015-2017).

DEALER'S DIARY – Peter Simpson provides us with an insight into the automotive sales trading world – and beyond.

PRODUCT TEST: Work mats, car creepers, seats and stools. Rob Hawkins tests 16 pieces of equipment.

HELP! Q&A – 9 pages of your toughest mechanical queries answered by our technical expert Steve Rothwell.

DIAGNOSTICS DOCTOR Q&A – 3 pages of your diagnostics dilemmas answered.

SUMMER FUN! John Ward brings us adverts seen in the June 1965 edition of Car Mechanics.

VOLVO C70 Mk2 DRIVESHAFT – Sharing components from a Ford Focus, we fit a new nearside driveshaft.

ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS – 2014 Porsche 911 3.8 twin-turbo.

OUR CARS – Andrew Everett updates us on his fleet of BMWs, while Peter Clayton gets on with fitting brakes and track rod ends to his 2011 VW Passat.
This feature is sponsored by febi bilstein and Blue Print.
https://partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION – Mike Humble’s love of automotive bumph seems to shifting up a gear..