Author Archives: Justin Smith

About Justin Smith

As the man at the helm of BreakerLink, it is no surprise that its Director, Justin Smith, has always had a keen interest in cars, bikes and most things wheeled. Having spent over two decades in the car parts industry, Justin combines his passion that since 2002, has successfully united those looking for new and used car parts with the breaker that supplies them. Follow Justin on LinkedIn.

The How to Buy A Car On eBay Guide

buy a car on eBay

From rare 50p pieces through to imitation Rod Stewart tartan trousers, you can buy almost anything on eBay. And unsurprisingly more people are turning to this popular e-Commerce platform to find a good motoring bargain.

Believe it or not eBay is actually growing in popularity as a second-hand car sales outlet and it’s also the place to go for rare motors and the so-called barn finds. With over 20 years of history, it’s a real veteran of the internet, giving it a high level of trust with all its buyers.

Like all sales outlets there are deals to be had and pitfalls to avoid – which are a whole lot easier to navigate with the aid of our handy guide.

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How to Clean Your Tyres and Wheels

cleaning wheels

Cleaning your tyres and wheels isn’t only a cosmetic measure. Of course, your car will be more imposing with freshly shined rims and black tyres, but as with many instances of car care there is a deeper reason for ensuring your wheels are grime free. Brake dust can damage your wheels and should be regularly removed to prevent fatigue, and cleaning protects your tyres from weathering and cracking.

It is advisable to clean your wheels at least every other time you wash your car or every two weeks. Follow our step by step guide to not only get the cleanest and shiniest look for your wheels but to also give them that long term protection.

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How to prevent your car’s engine from overheating

overheating car engine

With summer on the way you need to be aware that your car could potentially overheat. Even though it is less common with modern vehicles than their older counterparts, a well-tuned automobile can still overheat. Incidents will normally occur when excess stress is placed on the engine, such as crawling in stop-go urban traffic or climbing a steep gradient.

Take precautions to avoid overheating with our helpful guide, which details emergency steps you can take if your engine starts to show signs of temperature problems.

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Keeping Your Convertible’s Soft Top Clean

cleaning a convertible roofKeeping Your Convertible’s Soft Top CleanNow that summer’s starting to emerge from the cold clutches of winter it’s time to get out in your convertible. However, you might find that the dirt accumulated on the soft roof over the winter from all the grit and muddy water on the road. Looking good is the whole point of owning one of these cars, so not cleaning the canopy is most probably not an option.

Whilst is can be a hassle to keep the roof clean, it can deteriorate if not looked after properly. Fortunately, we have put together another of our now internet-famous guides to help you get the muck and filth off your soft top. Convertible soft tops come in two different types. Vinyl and canvas. Each material has different cleaning requirements and it’s important to know the difference, as you could make an expensive mistake with the wrong cleaning techniques and products. Continue reading →

The Guide to Replacing Your Car’s Light Bulbs

hand holding car bulbs

Has one of your headlights stopped working due to a faulty or broken bulb? This isn’t only a MOT failure but represents a major driving hazard that could see you in trouble with the law or even in an accident

Replacing a bulb is a fiddly little job that requires both patience and time, but it is one of the simpler jobs to complete on a car. You will be able to check that you have completed it properly with the flick of a switch and you can save money against a regular repair.

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8 Signs That Your Clutch May Be on Its Way Out

clutch disc and cover

Having a bad clutch may be the result of poor habits in hill-ridden or heavily congested areas. But it is also one of those parts that has a limited lifespan and will not last forever. If you notice that your clutch is slipping, what other kinds of problems are symptomatic of deeper issues?

In this article we look at some of the most common tell-tale signs that your clutch is on its way out.

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Lucky for Some? How to Clean Bird Poop Off Your Car

bird poop on a car

Being splattered by bird poop is considered to be lucky for some. But perhaps not so much for your car’s paintwork if it falls victim to a flying attack. And with birds migrating home for the spring, it doesn’t take a BBC expert to predict an increase in this problem.

Of course, bird poop isn’t simply a comedy problem. The chemicals in the poop have the power to erode small areas of the paint, leaving stains on your bodywork or even causing permanent damage to your glowing and shiny paint job.

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How to Locate and Replace Your Car’s Fuse

car fuse box

Should your car’s electrical system experience an overload then the most probable result is a blown fuse. This is usually the result of issues within your car such as a short circuit where a worn cable could be touching the bodywork of the car. Blown fuses may be a little annoying, but they are actually a preventative measure that stops your car from further damage and potentially even catching fire.

How do you know when a fuse is blown? The most obvious sign will be the failure of your electrical appliances in the car, such as the windows ceasing to operate correctly, the car radio stopping or the dashboard lights no longer illuminating properly, without any previous signs of problems or fatigue.

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The 6 Deadly Sins: Bad Driving Practices

deadly sins signpost

Cars are undoubtedly rather expensive. You might do all the right things in terms of servicing and regular maintenance, but if you have bad habits on the road you could be wasting all that expenditure. Laziness and carelessness are not only dangerous behaviour behind the wheel, but lack of due attention could cause your car to wear out faster and make you into a hazard for other road users.

Of course, nobody is perfect, so here is our list of the 6 deadly sins. Each one appertains to some of the main parts in your vehicle and the behaviours that cause all the problems.

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Getting Rid Of Smoking Smells in Your Car

smoke from car air vents

You want to buy a second hand car. You love the look and the feel behind the wheel. And it’s a great price. There’s one little problem however. The car itself stinks of second hand smoke. What can you do to freshen up the vehicle and get it smelling like a floating flower rather than an ashtray on wheels?

Even if you haven’t really bought a second hand car and you’re one of the few people out there who still sparks up, use the advice in our article to help you remove the stench of old dog ends from your wheels.

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