Yamaha Hub-rr Axle Jr3-g6514-00, Models Pro Hauler 1000 (2004-2005) on 2040-parts.com

Maintenance 'favours' end up costing more

GETTING help from family, neighbours or friends for basic car maintenance tasks costs the UK public an estimate £300million a year, according to a new survey. Over 2,000 people were surveyed on behalf of Halfords Autocentres and one in six said they regretted asking for help in the first place. 45% who subsequently had to pay a professional to rectify mistakes were left with a bill in excess of £100.

Spyker, Youngman plan to build Saab-based cars

Dutch supercar maker Spyker says it will form two joint ventures with China's Zhejiang Youngman to produce Saab-based vehicles and a luxury SUV under the terms of a deal that will give Youngman a 29.9-percent share in Spyker. Youngman was one of the Chinese companies Spyker turned to for investment when it was trying to revive the Saab brand under its ownership. After failing to get approval for the sale from General Motors, a former Saab owner, the deal with Youngman collapsed and Saab was declared bankrupt in December 2011.

What we drive: 1969 Triumph TR6

Updated March 2013: Go straight to the update here. Wisdom borne of experience: If you are contemplating the purchase of a British car and the vital parts of that car are in more than, say, two cardboard boxes, your purchase is suspect. Obviously there are exceptions: The D-type Jaguar comes to mind.