I had a stubborn Renault Clio with a badly corroded exhaust flange and, like a lot of DIYers, I wanted to fix it using only basic tools. If you’re reading this, you probably want the same: a straightforward, realistic walkthrough that doesn’t rely on a full professional shop. I’ll walk you...
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Buying Guides
I’ve spent years cutting through marketing hype and making practical...
Maintenance
I recently changed the pads on my daily driver and, as usual, opted to bleed...
Maintenance
I’ve lost count of how many times a concerned driver called me to say their...
Buying Guides
When I traded SUVs in the past, I learned the hard way that the number a dealer...
I’ve lost count of how many times a concerned driver called me to say their car had gone into limp mode and a dreaded “check engine” light was glowing. The panic is real: limp mode makes you feel like your car is dying mid-journey, and the...
When I traded SUVs in the past, I learned the hard way that the number a dealer offers often reflects a different math than the one that matters to you. Dealers think in terms of reconditioning costs, auction margins, and what they can get for the...
I remember the first time my ABS light came on: I was running errands, pulling into a grocery store, and the little amber icon winked at me like a mischievous gremlin. It was easy to ignore—until I stomped on the brakes later that week and felt...
Selling a car privately is as much about perception as it is about facts. Over the years I’ve flipped a few of my own cars and helped friends get more at sale time by focusing on small, targeted fixes that buyers notice — and are willing to pay...
I’m often asked by readers with older petrol cars how to squeeze more miles out of a tank without spending on costly engine work or electrification. Over the years, between my garage experiments and coordinating repairs, I’ve found a set of...
I live and work in cities where traffic, tight parking and sudden incidents are part of the daily routine. Over the years I’ve learned that a good dashcam isn’t a luxury — it’s a practical tool that can save hours of paperwork, protect you...
I remember the first time I nearly bought a used SUV that looked flawless in photos and on the lot — until I drove it and everything felt slightly off. The steering tugged, the car pulled to one side, and the doors closed like they belonged to...
I remember the first time I had to bleed brakes alone — standing over the car in my driveway, brake fluid bottle in one hand and a length of clear hose in the other, wondering if there was a smarter way than the awkward pump-and-pray method. If...
When it comes time to replace brake rotors, one of the first debates I have with readers, friends, or my mechanic is always the same: aftermarket or OEM? It’s a deceptively simple question with a lot of nuance. I’ve swapped rotors on my own...
I’ve had my fair share of good and bad experiences with garages — from a local independent that squeezed me in on a rainy Saturday to a dealership shop that wanted to replace parts that only needed cleaning. Over the years I’ve learned there...