Car Mechanics April 2021

Email martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.uk Follow us on Facebook @ Car Mechanics Worst car ever? ▶ What car, if any, has been the most unpleasant model you have ever bought – or one you’ve had the pleasure of working on where the fix didn’t go to plan? I ask this question as our 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser – which formed part of a feature on ‘buying cheap cars for under a thousand pounds’ – is still with me. Yes, I know not everyone likes these American tanks and even I look at it in a certain light and whisper… “oh no.” I even park it on the driveway (sometimes). Yet it drives well enough and the interior seating/carpets are still in excellent condition for 18 years old. The 2.0-litre 16-valve engine starts pulling from 4000rpm – though…

Editorial Martyn Knowles, Editor Email martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.uk Follow us on Facebook @ Car Mechanics Worst car ever? ▶ What car, if any, has been the most unpleasant model you have ever bought – or one you’ve had the pleasure of working on where the fix didn’t go to plan? I ask this question as our 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser – which formed part of a feature on ‘buying cheap cars for under a thousand pounds’ – is still with me. Yes, I know not everyone likes these American tanks and even I look at it in a certain light and whisper… “oh no.” I even park it on the driveway (sometimes). Yet it drives well enough and the interior seating/carpets are still in excellent condition for 18 years old. The 2.0-litre…

MOT updates ▶ There have been a few revisions made to the MOT inspection manual during January. Problem was, current MOT testers weren’t informed in the usual way (by notification) of these updates. Since the last update in 2019, there‘s over 50 revisions to take on board. Section 4 of the manual is lamps, reflectors and electricial equipment – it’s fair to say this gets a lot of attention. I’ve highlighted just one of the added checks now required on each MOT: Compliance with requirements Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp. The tester did, of course, check on conversions to HID before,…

▶ There have been a few revisions made to the MOT inspection manual during January. Problem was, current MOT testers weren’t informed in the usual way (by notification) of these updates. Since the last update in 2019, there‘s over 50 revisions to take on board. Section 4 of the manual is lamps, reflectors and electricial equipment – it’s fair to say this gets a lot of attention. I’ve highlighted just one of the added checks now required on each MOT: Compliance with requirements Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp. The tester did, of course, check on conversions to HID before, but the new added text…

Washing a car is easy. Even parents pay their children to do it; it is that simple. Yet, as most adults cannot wash cars properly, what chance have youngsters got? The irony is not lost on Bert Youell, founder of the Professional Valeters & Detailers Trade Association (PVD), which exists not only to raise awareness and standards in the industry but it also works with the UK Detailing Academy to provide training to both its members and the public. Bert explains: “It is amazing that certain motorists own (or lease) expensive cars but do not appreciate how much damage can be wrought by careless cleaning. The further issue is a lack of awareness surrounding chemical safety.” Well-intentioned but ill-judged The problem is that many people view any car cleaning as beneficial, when employing…

HOW TO DECONTAMINATE YOUR BODYWORK INSTANT EXPERT BODYWORK Spring Cleaning Washing bodywork is the most popular DIY task but, as so many people inflict damage on their cars unintentionally, Rob Marshall consults with independent experts to learn how to do it properly. Washing a car is easy. Even parents pay their children to do it; it is that simple. Yet, as most adults cannot wash cars properly, what chance have youngsters got? The irony is not lost on Bert Youell, founder of the Professional Valeters & Detailers Trade Association (PVD), which exists not only to raise awareness and standards in the industry but it also works with the UK Detailing Academy to provide training to both its members and the public. Bert explains: “It is amazing that certain motorists own (or…