Car Mechanics August 2021

Editorial Martyn Knowles, Editor Email martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.ukFollow us on Facebook @ Car Mechanics Project Jaguar XF The XF has been a big seller for Jaguar since it was introduced in 2008 – replacing the S-TYPE. Now offered at very reasonable prices, we decided to get one from our usual source at British Car Auctions. I had looked at these for weeks before bidding on this 2009 3.0-litre diesel. It would have cost the first owner £37,270, yet today, with just 108,488 warranted miles to its name, we were the top bid at £2950 + fees. The range spec was pretty straightforward in the early days – you had Luxury, Premium Luxury or Portfolio to choose from with the 2.7D and 3.0 V6 petrol being the engine options, before the 3.0D arrived…

Email martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.ukFollow us on Facebook @ Car Mechanics Project Jaguar XF The XF has been a big seller for Jaguar since it was introduced in 2008 – replacing the S-TYPE. Now offered at very reasonable prices, we decided to get one from our usual source at British Car Auctions. I had looked at these for weeks before bidding on this 2009 3.0-litre diesel. It would have cost the first owner £37,270, yet today, with just 108,488 warranted miles to its name, we were the top bid at £2950 + fees. The range spec was pretty straightforward in the early days – you had Luxury, Premium Luxury or Portfolio to choose from with the 2.7D and 3.0 V6 petrol being the engine options, before the 3.0D arrived in 2009. A 4.2 V8 petrol was…

Regardless of your vehicle’s age, it is disheartening to witness the inevitable deterioration of its paint finish. As professional services might not be viable financially for relatively low-value cars, the enthusiastic owner is likely to research the DIY options. As with mechanical work, before commencing any repairs, evaluate the paint’s flaws. To do this, view it in a raw state. This means not only washing dirt away but also removing any corrective residues that previous wax, or sealant, applications might have left behind. Such products (glazes especially) contain ‘fillers’ to disguise defects and make the finish look better than it really is. CM’s April 2021 back issue demonstrated how you can do this from home but note that all of those stages must be conducted before you embark on any paint…

INSTANT EXPERT PAINT Correction & Protection Paint defects can be difficult and expensive to resolve, although Rob Marshall reveals that DIYers need not be left in the dark. Regardless of your vehicle’s age, it is disheartening to witness the inevitable deterioration of its paint finish. As professional services might not be viable financially for relatively low-value cars, the enthusiastic owner is likely to research the DIY options. As with mechanical work, before commencing any repairs, evaluate the paint’s flaws. To do this, view it in a raw state. This means not only washing dirt away but also removing any corrective residues that previous wax, or sealant, applications might have left behind. Such products (glazes especially) contain ‘fillers’ to disguise defects and make the finish look better than it really is.…

Half of independent garages optimistic in the face of tough times ► Research from more than 15,000 garages has highlighted that 74% of respondents said that their business has decreased in performance over the month of April this year. However, over 50% are optimistic about improvement over the course of the year. The statistics also revealed that 48% have made use of the job retention schemes set up by government to furlough staff during periods of slow business, and it was a 50-50 split when asked if they were aware of the DVSA’s Make It Safe campaign to encourage motorists back into the workshop in April and May. For the half of you that may not have heard, the initiative encouraged owners to check their vehicle using four basic safety concerns:► Service…

Caravan sales boom as staycation interest soars ► Robinsons Caravans has seen sales of new caravans up by 47% year-to-date compared to the same time in 2020 following a boom of staycations and an urgency for the public to take back holiday options. Pre-owned caravans have seen an even more impressive boost, up by 65%. The figures also show an increase of 20% in people buying their first caravans, with a 10% increase in customers aged 40 and younger, now accounting for a quarter of sales. Full speed ahead for Brake Engineering ► Brake Engineering is celebrating four decades of UK manufacturing and a commitment to innovation in the automotive aftermarket. In its 40th year of business, the company has produced its eight millionth remanufactured caliper using its 10-stage core process that ensures…