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Frequently Asked Questions

The questions that reach Car Fix Advisor most, answered briefly, and the address to use when yours is not among them.

Do you take payment to recommend specific products or garages?

No. Some links on this site are commercial and that is disclosed in our editorial policy, but the wording of our advice does not change because of a commercial relationship.

What should I look for when buying a used car?

Service history, corrosion, tyre condition, brake feel, and a drive that does not produce unfamiliar noises. We have a full checklist in the buying section that covers what a seller is unlikely to point out voluntarily.

How do I know if a repair is worth doing on an old car?

The calculation is repair cost versus the car's realistic market value, minus how much you need it and how soon. There is no universal answer, but we walk through the variables in the buying section and in our articles on repair-or-replace decisions.

Can I really fix my own car without professional training?

Many repairs are straightforward if you follow the right sequence and have the right tools. Others are genuinely dangerous to get wrong. We say which is which in every article, and we do not encourage you to attempt safety-critical work on a vehicle you rely on.

How often should I service my car?

It depends on the make, model, age and how you drive. Most modern cars have a service interval indicator, but that is a minimum rather than a recommendation. We explain what the intervals cover and which checks you can do yourself between services.

Is aftermarket cheaper than OEM and does it matter?

Aftermarket parts are usually cheaper, and for many components the quality is identical or close enough to make no difference. For others, the gap is real and the savings are not worth it. We cover this in the parts section.

What is an OBD2 scanner and do I need one?

An OBD2 scanner reads the fault codes stored by your car's computer when a warning light comes on. A basic one costs around thirty pounds and saves you the diagnostic fee at a garage. We explain how to use one and what to do with the codes it gives you.

My question is not here

Write to info@carfixadvisor.com and ask. Questions that arrive more than once usually end up as an article, and the ones that arrive often end up on this page.

Where to go from here

The blog archive is a good start, or look at the about page first if you would rather understand how the site is laid out.