Car Buying and Maintenance »

John Henderson is a freelance journalist and photographer specializing in motoring. He writes for Land Rover Owner, Land Rover Monthly, Used Car Buyer, Autocar, What Car?, The Times, and Men Only and was a staff writer and tester for Performance Car and Motor magazines.

Know the critical aspects of buying and maintaining a car

Purchasing a new or used car is always a financially risky endeavor. Teach Yourself Car Buying and Maintenance offers you tips on whether to buy new or used and how to find a good deal. You will also learn how to take care of your new purchase--from washing, polishing, and checking oil to inspecting tires for safety and removing minor scratches.

Introduction     1
Choosing a car     3
Size matters     4
Engines     6
Gearboxes     12
Environmental concerns     14
Safety     17
Goodies     19
Additional costs     22
Breakdown cover     27
Choosing how to buy     28
Buying new cars     30
Show me the money!     31
Where to buy     34
Franchised dealers     35
Non-franchised     36
Pick your moment     36
Shopping list     37
The test drive     39
Change your style     41
Haggling     42
Discounts     44
What happens next?     45
Buying used cars     46
VAT on cars     47
Know your car     47
Find your car     48
Your rights     50
Franchised dealers     52
Independent dealers     53
Private vendors     55
Auctions     58
What to check     58
Be prepared     60
Appearance     60
Test drive     62
Paperwork     63
History checks     65
Vehicle inspections     66
Hand it over     67
Safe keeping     68
The first days     69
Dealer handover     70
Finding fault     71
Light reading     72
Finding your way     73
Driving position     73
Mirrors     76
Safety     76
UK child seat laws     80
Starting     80
Warning lights     82
Security     82
Keep your cool     84
Fuel     87
Running in     88
Regular checks     90
Walk around     91
Check session     91
Checklist     94
Tyres     94
Oil     96
Fluid levels     98
Anti-freeze explained     99
Electrics     101
Can you see?     102
Smooth operating     104
Tyres     105
Writing on the wall     106
Ride vs handling     107
Legal requirements      108
Pressures     109
Tyre faults     111
Repairs and replacements     113
Tread carefully     115
Spares     115
Tyre rotation     116
Running in     118
Batteries     119
Battery safety     120
What does it do?     120
How does it work?     121
Giving it a hand     121
Early warning     122
Maintenance     122
Buying batteries     123
Right connections     124
Responsible disposal     124
Charging     124
Cleaning     126
Equipment     127
Save water     128
Cleaning products     129
Exterior cleaning     131
Saving work     133
Exterior problems     133
Interior cleaning     134
Interior problems     135
The professionals     137
Buying and selling     137
Servicing     139
How often?     141
Services vary     142
Intervals     142
On the record      143
Doing it yourself     143
Choosing a garage     144
A point of courtesy     147
Keeping costs down     147
Repairs     149
Recalls     150
Testing times     151
Complaints     152
Warranty work     153
Breakdowns     154
Essential equipment     155
What to do     157
Hard shoulders     158
Ordinary roads     159
Personal safety     160
Changing a wheel     160
Sticking wheels     162
Alternative spares     162
The wrong fuel     164
A touch of glass     164
Driving windowless     166
Getting repairs     166
Smash and grab     167
Mechanical breakdown     167
Starting problems     169
Push-starting     171
Jump-starting     171
Modern methods     174
Professional help     174
Accidents     175
Be prepared     176
Legal requirements     176
At the scene     177
Leaving the scene     180
After the accident     181
Write-offs     183
Other claims     184
Uninsured losses     185
Selling the car     187
Clean up     188
Servicing and testing     189
Valuation     189
Trade-in vs private sale     190
Trade-in     190
Private sales     191
Dealing with buyers     195
Safe not sorry     196
Payment     197
Paperwork     198
Auctions     198
Scrapping it     198
Taking it further     201
Glossary     205
Index     213