It was so satisifing to 'do it yourself' too. I make money repairing cars for learner / young drivers. But, the emissions are hard to pass now and without expensive testing equipment impossible to guage.
After a bit of a bundle over the last car, that did eventually pass I have seriously considered packing up.
No point spending hours welding, rebuilding brakes, body work repairs and electrical gremlins chased down to find the CO2 is too high and there isn't any realistic way forward other than fitting a less worn engine....
Such is progress I suppose.