April 2026
How to read your engine code in two minutes
The 17 characters of a VIN — and the four that decide which engine fits your car. A field guide for buyers and garages.
Read the article →
Magazine
Engine know-how from the workshop.
Practical guides written by our test bench, our buyers and our after-sales team. No fluff, no SEO clickbait — just what's worth knowing before you buy or fit.
April 2026
March 2026
What a leak-down test actually measures
Compression tests are good. Leak-down tests are better. Here's what each one tells you about an engine — and why we run both.
Read the article →
February 2026
Reconditioned, used or new — the real comparison
Up-front cost, lifetime cost, embodied CO₂. Three columns, one table, an answer that's often counter-intuitive.
Read the article →
April 2026
Used engines, A to Z: everything a buyer should understand before ordering
A long read for drivers, garages and dealers. What "used", "reconditioned" and "remanufactured" actually mean — and the questions that separate a £900 bargain from a £900 mistake.
Read the article →