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.

Another Driver Has Road Rage… And I’m the Target. 10 Things You Should do Next

Road rage has become a common occurrence on UK roads. There has been a sharp rise in dangerous incidents in recent years. If a driver becomes enraged at you on the road – whether they have any justification or not, it can be an extremely dangerous experience that can shake even the most hardened of drivers.

We’ve already talked about how to deal with a driver that’s started tail-gating you. However, people can lose their tempers and take their road rage up a notch, making it important to know some simple techniques to help you de-escalate such an unwanted situation. Some of the following advice could ensure that you don’t have to deal with bad on the road behaviour.

Continue reading →

6 of the Best Scottish Road Trips

Not everyone wants the hassle of going abroad. Plane trips and ferries can suck the life out of your holiday buzz, leaving you wanting another holiday when you’ve dealt with the stress of long haul travel. You’ve seen some of the best road trips available in England – but what’s on offer north of the border?

If you’re thinking of travelling around Bonny Scotland, then in our opinion these are the 6 best ultimate road trips available – from the legendary North Coast 500 to the lesser known Angus Coastal Route. You’ll find ancient geographical structures, hidden restaurants, distilleries, castles and views that will simply take your breath away. We’ve tried to find something for everyone in our choice of 6 of the best Scottish road trips…

Continue reading →

So Your Brakes Have Failed – How to Stop a Problem Turning into an Emergency

pushing down the brake pedal after the brakes failed

Putting your foot down in the car to slow down, only to find your brakes aren’t working, has to be one of the scariest experiences behind the wheel of a car. Hopefully one that most people will never have to face.

Whilst most modern cars have the latest technology, safety features and are rigorously tested to prevent and warn of braking issues, it’s worth knowing what to do in case there’s a failure. So if the worst does happen, how can you quickly reduce your chances of injury and creating danger to others out there on the road?

Continue reading →

Car Theft: 11 Ways to Prevent Your Vehicle from Being Stolen

Waking up to find your car has been stolen has to be one of the worst feelings. Despite figures showing that there was 14.5% decrease in car crime during 2020, this is probably due to lockdown, as figures had been steadily rising in previous years, reaching the highest rate ever in 2018-2019. However, thieves have been shown to be targeting luxury cars, with increasing numbers being stolen progressively over the last 5 years.

It seems no car is truly safe in the UK. However, with a diligent attitude and prohibitive measures, any car owner has the power to make their car less attractive to thieves. What are the real world, practical steps, that you can take today to make sure your vehicle doesn’t end up on the wrong side of a crime statistic?

Continue reading →

Sell Your Used Car: Staying Safe Whilst Getting the Sale

Selling your car can be tough. Getting the price you want can be tougher; people are hard to part with their money and will always want a bargain. And that’s if they’re honest. Selling your used car can be a minefield, with fast operators looking to rip you off in a worst case scenario.

However, with a little planning and politeness, you can relax and meet a buyer who’s genuinely interested in your car and will give you a firm price.

Continue reading →

The Cool List – 16 Items that should Never be left in a Hot Car

Although not many people like the cold, people forget that excessive heat in your vehicle can be truly punishing. Enclosed spaces, such as your car’s interior cabin, can become like an oven during the daytime. Especially if you are parked in an exposed position, and have not been able to find the shade.

As the inside temperature of your car can climb several degrees higher than the ambient temperature, it’s wise to be careful about what’s left in the car on a summer’s day. Check our list of vulnerable things that should not be left in the car, to avoid a potentially troublesome or dangerous situation. Yes, there are some obvious inclusions to our list; but also some you might not have heard before…

Continue reading →

England’s Best Road Trips

When you live in this historic country, you don’t have to always go overseas for holidays, with the stunning natural beauty and variety of landscapes available in England. There’s everything from the beautiful flatlands surrounding the Norfolk Coast, through to some of the UK’s greatest mountain ranges, the Pennine Passes. A little bit of something for everyone.

And what better way to get out and see this charming and evocative landscape than from behind the wheel of your car. Many of the roads that run through these picturesque locations offer the chance to take in some breath-taking views, as you trundle along the remote highways, and the tarmac that sits off the beaten track.

If you’re thinking of taking a road trip around the beautiful roads of rural and coastal England, where should you go for the best sights, hideaways, walks and historic locations on offer?

Continue reading →

Do The Shake: Why Your Car is Juddering…

A judder is a jerking motion or shaking feeling you get behind the wheel. For example, you put your foot down and expect to move forward in a continual motion, but instead you jerk and stop. This can be a frightening experience, and your passengers won’t thank you for it either. Juddering can be caused by a number of issues and in several scenarios and should never be ignored; it’s often a sign other problems could develop in your vehicle if left unchecked. What are the various symptoms and how can you complete a little amateur diagnosis yourself?

Continue reading →

When You Can and Can’t Use Hazard Lights…

Indicators have been a statutory requirement on UK cars since 1965, when a law was passed requiring all cars to have flashing lights to demonstrate which way a car intends to turn. Nearly all modern cars use small orange lights, often located in the headlight and rear light arrays as indicators. These flash to alert other road users to the driver’s intentions.

Indicators however also can be used as part of a car’s hazard lights. When a car is in trouble, the driver can flick the hazard switch, making all indicators flash repeatedly at the same time, alerting other road users to an obstruction or even a potential danger caused by the stopped vehicle.

Continue reading →

Brake Smoke: Causes and Cures

Smoke coming out of the brakes? It might be funny in cartoons, but it’s never a laughing matter when it’s your car. In fact, if you do notice a burning smell, or worse still, start seeing smoke floating around your vehicle cabin, it can be a more than unsettling experience.

Brake smoke is one of those situations where you need to act immediately. Even if you have put on new brake pads that can in rare cases smoke when you wear them in – it’s still something that you need to check. So what are the causes (and some of the fixes) of smoking brakes?

Continue reading →