Cars are essential in everyday life but they are also one of the most expensive items most of us will ever buy. So how can you save money keeping it safely on the road?
A survey by KwikFit back in 2018 said a car costs us on average, £162 per month excluding the cost of purchase.
Given how the cost of living and fuel has gone up since then, I’m guessing it’s closer to £200 now. Or perhaps even more.
Given how we depend on our cars to get around, get to work and get the kids to school, how can we make it cost a little less?
We have little control over the cost of fuel and insurance, but we can influence other things.
Save money on… fuel
I said little control over fuel prices, but you do have some influence. Apps like PetrolPrices and others like it can help.
They compare fuel prices from across the country so you can spend as little as possible on filling up without spending too much to get to the forecourt.
Save money on… car insurance
I wrote a post a little while ago showing you how to properly compare car insurance to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
The process is relatively simple, doesn’t take long and can help save you serious money.
Save money on… car maintenance
Now to those tips on saving money on car maintenance. Many of them will be common sense while others may be new to you.
Use one, use them all, they will save you money!
Perform your own pre-MOT check
If your car is due an MOT, you can save time and money by performing the basic checks yourself beforehand. This will help save money by allowing you to make the small fixes yourself.
A replacement brake light bulb can cost you £1.50 but a garage might charge £3-4, or more.
Check lights, indicators, brake lights, wipers, tyres and the overall condition of your car. If you spot something that isn’t working, fix it yourself to save the garage premium and labour charge.
Shop around for tyres
Tyres, like most things, have gone up considerably over the past couple of years. Shopping around can save money.
Find out what tyres you need, whether you want branded or unbranded and compare prices like you would compare everything else.
Check those services that come to you and local garages or tyre specialists and see how much you could save.
Shop around for car parts
If you do perform your own maintenance, you can shop around for car parts like you can everything else.
Check eBay, eurocarparts.com and any local car parts companies in your area. Make sure you’re buying the right component and you could save a little more money by doing it yourself.
Learn basic car maintenance
I’m talking really basic here to begin with. Learn how to change a bulb, replace wipers, change an air filter, change a wheel and the basics of running a car.
These used to be almost mandatory for new drivers but that seems to have fallen by the wayside now. If you want to save money, DIY is fat better than PSE!
YouTube and Google are your friend. Your car’s maintenance manual if it has one will also help.
Perform regular checks on your car
It doesn’t sound like a great way to spend time, but giving your car a regular check every few weeks can save money. Fit it into a Sunday while you’re waiting for dinner or whenever you have a spare 10 minutes and some daylight.
Check tyres, wipers, lights, the condition of your bodywork, check fluid levels and run the engine for a couple of minutes to hear how it sounds.
If the engine doesn’t idle evenly, sounds rough or there’s excessive smoke coming out the exhaust, you should get it checked.
Investigate warning lights
Don’t ignore warning lights on your dashboard as they don’t appear for the fun of it. Before calling your garage, do a little detective work online first.
Research your exact make, model and year of car and what the light could mean. It can often be something as simple as low tyre pressure or a dirty air filter.
If it’s something more involved, don’t leave it too long. Leaving issues is not usually a good tactic as things just get worse.
Find a garage you can trust
Believe it or not, most garages offer honest services for a reasonable price. There are some bad apples out there of course, but they are in the minority.
Ask friends or neighbours. Read reviews, check local business listings and then go visit.
If the garage looks presentable, it may be okay. If it answers all questions freely without hedging, sucking teeth or rolling eyes, it may be okay.
Try them with something minor first to see how they perform and how much they can charge. That way, you put them to the test without spending too much money.
Saving money on car maintenance
Saving money on car maintenance comes down to just a couple of things. Doing more yourself, shopping around for everything and being timely.
Check your car’s condition regularly and repair or replace quickly. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get.
Shop around for all parts and choose the cheapest option from a reliable source.
Find a local garage you can trust for things you can’t do yourself. Give them a relatively small job to do first before you trust them with something bigger.
None of these things take much time or effort. They will teach you a little more about your car and maybe even increase your confidence in it and your ability to handle simple issues.
All while saving you money!
