Many hinges are welded to the car bodywork and cannot be adjusted or renewed. But if a door or a boot or bonnet lid becomes slack and badly fitting, the cause may be a worn hinge pin which can be renewed. Read more
To remove the film of grime which forms on the bodywork use plenty of clean water. Do not wipe with a dry cloth — the dirt will scratch the paint. Read more
Small chips and blemishes are best repaired with a can of touch-in paint and a brush . For larger jobs, use an aerosol spray. If possible, work in a dry, warm, dustless but well ventilated atmosphere. Read more
Car interiors collect a lot of dust and grit, particularly on the carpet. Regular cleaning cuts down wear and discoloration, and gives the carpets and upholstery a longer life. Read more
At regular service intervals clean and lubricate hinges on moving panels and foot-pedal pivot points. Check the accelerator cable for stiffness. Read more
Quarterlights are now rarely fitted by manufacturers so you mostly find them on older cars. It is a segment of glass next to the main pane, which may or may not open. Read more
Before a door-trim panel can be removed, the window winder and interior handle must be taken off, an probably also the push-button lock am an arm rest, if fitted. Read more
The best way to treat a dent is to raise the metal almost to its original level, then to level the surface with a thin layer of plastic body filler. You can do this with most of the plastic filler kits available. Read more
Doors or bonnet and boot lids that do not close properly may have moved out of alignment and need adjustment to the hinges or catch. Read more
A damaged or worn exhaust system allows waste gases from the engine to escape before they have passed safely to the rear of the car. Read more
Mud and dirty water thrown up by the wheels is the principal cause of body rust on cars. If the underside is unsealed, keep underbody dirt to a minimum to reduce the chance of rust damage. Read more
Wiper blades are fitted bayonet-style to the end of the arm, or the end of the arm is hooked or has a side locking pin. If you renew just the rubber part, be sure to get the right one and follow the maker's instructions. Read more
Windscreen washers and wipers must, by law, be in working order. Keep the washer bottle topped up with water and ensure that the wiper blades and arms are in good condition. Read more
Drilling one or more holes in the car body is necessary for fitting extras such as an aerial, wing mirror or tow bar. Read more
Steel exposed to damp air begins to rust in minutes. If there is any rust on it when it is painted, the rust will spread under the paint. Read more
If a hole in the bodywork is not in a load-bearing area, such as a section of the chassis , it may be repaired with glass fibre, body filler or the more recently introduced filler-fibre mixture. Read more
On a fairly new car, covering the underbody with sealing compound will discourage corrosion. It can be sprayed on under pressure or brushed on. Read more
Lay the new system alongside the car and assemble it temporarily. You may find that the silencer will not fit on the pipe and that various other overlapping joints are tight. Read more
Cars with electrically operated windscreen washers sometimes have a switch controlling the motor incorporated within the windscreen-wiper switch. If the motor does not work, check first that the switch is functioning; if it is, check the wiring to the washer motor (See How to test electrical circuits ). Read more
As well as replacing a door because it has become rusted or been damaged in an accident , you may also need to do this job before a respray. With the doors off, the door pillars and inside surfaces can then be resprayed properly. Read more
Electric windows are being fitted to more and more cars as standard equipment, while conversion kits are available to suit most models. Read more
Rear quarterlights are found behind the rear passenger doors on a four-or five-door car or behind the side doors on a two- or three-door car. Some open, others don't. Read more