While we do live in a golden age of information, not all of it’s accurate. Take car care as a prime example, there are forums teeming with advice on easy maintenance, tips and guides. Problem is, there’s no real way of knowing how good they actually are and the results can be disastrous to your car and bank balance.
Thankfully there are loads of car maintenance books that offer reliable and accurate information to help you with everything from changing an air filter to rebuilding your car’s electrics.
We’ve found the best currently for sale so you can ensure that you’re not fed the incorrect information when it comes time to get the socket set out and get oily.
The best general car maintenance books
The best general car maintenance book
Pros
- Easy to follow
- Affordable
Cons
- Books are fairly old now
The best car maintenance audiobook
Pros
- Easy listening
- Good value for money
Cons
- Not a physical book
- Full of Americanisms
The best car maintenance book for car cleaning
It covers everything from shampooing to polishing so you’ll be well versed in car cleaning by the time you’ve finished it. Best of all, it does without all the usual detailing jargon.
Pros
- Easy to follow
- All you need to know about car cleaning
Cons
- No mechanical knowledge here
The best vehicle-specific maintenance books
The best car maintenance book for specific cars
Nowadays, you can’t get hold of a physical copy of a Haynes manual – they’ve all gone digital. They’re still full of essential information on fault codes, technical drawings, video tutorials and even complex wiring diagrams.
Pros
- All you need to know about your car
- Easy-to-follow videos
Cons
- Not a physical book
The best car maintenance book for classics
A buyer’s guide like this series from Veloce Publishing could potentially save you a fortune in a dodgy classic as it points out all the essential check areas for these cars. There are a whole bunch of books available covering a selection of popular classic cars, and if you’re at all serious about buying an older car, one of these is an essential purchase.
Pros
- Deep-dive look into iconic classics
- Could save you a lot of money
Cons
- Not all classics are covered
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