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Easy Tips to Keep Car Costs Down

July 24, 2016 by EmmaB 40 Comments

School holidays must be almost here! This one is just exhausted. Roll on the holidays and lazy mornings!
School holidays must be almost here! This one is just exhausted. Roll on the holidays and lazy mornings!

If you think that having a car is expensive, then you’d be right. However, there are a number of things that you are probably not doing that could help you save a small fortune when it comes to your car. Simple stuff like making sure that your car is well maintained or doing a pre MOT check can catch problems early and you won’t be forking out as much.

Check things like lights, windscreen wipers and seat belts as these can all easily be fixed before an MOT, these are small defects that are easily fixed at home before you go to the garage. A Seat Belt Buckle Repair is often overlooked and yet this is such an important safety feature not to be ignored.

Invest in a Touch up Paint Kit

One savvy way to keep car costs down is by investing in a touch up paint kit. This affordable tool allows you to quickly address minor scratches and chips on your vehicle’s exterior, keeping it looking great without the need for costly professional repairs.

Know Your Car

The service manual is written by the experts, i.e. the people that built your car, and it will help you keep your car tip top, so it’s important to read it. It should tell you how often your car should be serviced, how often maintenance tasks need to be carried out and when parts might need to be replaced. It can help you to plan ahead for the costs of maintenance, making unexpected costs less likely.

Taking your car for a service when recommended also means that your vehicle will retain more of its value when you come to sell it.

Do a Pre-MOT Check

Many cars fail their MOTs first time, but most of the time it’s for a reason that could have been avoided. Some of them you could even sort yourself.

  • Walk around the vehicle and check every lightbulb. If one’s gone, you can replace it yourself or get a professional to do it for you.
  • Check suspension. To check it without a professional is difficult, but if you apply the weight of your body to each corner of your car, it should bounce back quickly.
  • If your brakes feel loose, or the handbrake doesn’t offer any resistance, then you may have a problem.
  • Check your tyre pressure and tread. Under-inflated tyres wear out quicker and can also affect your fuel economy. If you can fit them yourself, tyres can be bought cheaply online.
  • Check for windscreen damage. It shouldn’t be any larger than 10mm. You may be able to get a replacement windscreen on your fully-comp insurance.
  • Top up your brake fluid, windscreen washer and oil reserves.

Some garages or dealerships offer DIY car maintenance classes designed to help people save money on car services and repair bills.

Get a Cheaper Car

Many car reviews will tell you how much your car costs to run, so if you’re in the market for a new one, then this is definitely a factor that you should take in to consideration. For instance, some cars are exempt from road tax and others are very economical with fuel. Using a car finance broker, like Motorfinance4U, can help you get a better deal and potentially save you further money on things like interest rates – even if you have a bad credit rating.

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Comments

  1. Morgan says

    August 11, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    Awesome! I totally agree with you. Car expenses can really add up, so it’s always nice to learn ways to minimize what you spend. Nice pointers! Thanks for your input!

    Reply
  2. Steven says

    September 1, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    Morgan is absolutely right in saying that car expenses can definitely add up and that it’s good to know how you can go about keeping car costs down and a pre-MOT check can go a long time in saving both your mechanic and your wallet a massive headache!
    Thanks for sharing with us, Emma.

    Reply
  3. car service says

    September 21, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    If we want our vehicle do not cause any problem while travelling and do not create extra expenses then the important points you mentioned here we should keep in our mind.we should do the proper checking of windscreen, tyre and brakes as you suggest for long time running of our vehicle.

    Reply
  4. lowering leaf springs says

    September 27, 2016 at 9:30 am

    Cars need to be regularly checked for tons of reasons. But the primary one is safety. Having regular check on your cars let you find parts that needs to be replaced sooner before they give out.

    Reply
  5. Devinder says

    October 19, 2016 at 11:32 am

    A well maintained car runs better and delivers impeccable performance with fuel efficiency. Keep your car healthy to make you safe with BookServicing.

    Reply
  6. bella says

    October 21, 2016 at 2:15 pm

    Hey nice tips to save some cash , im book marking your website
    bella recently posted…New Toyota 86 launched in 2017 Features and Pics.My Profile

    Reply
  7. Bella says

    October 23, 2016 at 6:47 am

    Hey am agree with you your post is really good. Am bookmark your website. Thank you for telling good tips
    Bella recently posted…Top 5 Cars of the world Coming soon in 2017.My Profile

    Reply
  8. idler arm says

    November 8, 2016 at 6:08 am

    Tricking out your car to get the best performance is really nice. But getting the parts might be tricky.

    Reply
  9. car suspension parts says

    November 13, 2016 at 2:41 pm

    Before you decide on a remote ignition system for your vehicle, it’s a good idea to check out what other owners and professional reviewers are saying. Remote starters involve complicated technical components, and as with all automotive products, reliability is important. Doing your homework before you buy can help you avoid problems later

    Reply
    • LNweaver says

      August 30, 2017 at 1:26 am

      I like that idea to look into remote starters. I bet that can come in handy during the cold winter months. Checking the BBB and customer reviews is a good way to do research on things like that.

      Reply
  10. brake lines says

    November 22, 2016 at 6:51 am

    Taking care of your like car it’s one of your own kids. It really is necessary to be maintained regularly to lasts a long long time.

    Reply
  11. suspension kits says

    December 2, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    It is extremely important to keep up on the maintenance of your vehicle. There are simple things that can be done to ensure your vehicle continues to run at its best for many years to come. If you do not have mechanical experience, it is important to make sure you have a qualified mechanic do this work for you.

    Reply
    • lowering springs says

      January 2, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      Proper maintenance keeps anything in good working conditions. The same goes for our vehicles. Car servicing is essential and getting it done through qualified personnel is even more crucial. This can really extend the life of your vehicle. The whole car servicing experience may be intimidating to some. Often, a bad experience at a fly by night garage can be a dampener, especially if you have been cheated by a mechanic.

      Reply
  12. engine tune up NJ says

    January 2, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    If your car has rare spare parts, and is not a common model, you will be safer going to a dealership. They might be more expensive but you are assured of getting a mechanic that has been trained by a particular car manufacturer. Some dealerships are so good that they have a mechanic from each of the major manufacturers. You will get a mechanic particular to your car type who will probably install factory parts instead of used, tried parts. A dealership is ideal if your car is still covered under warranty or the costs are paid by insurance.

    Reply
  13. silveroak says

    January 3, 2017 at 11:58 am

    Nice ideas!
    Amazing! I totally agree with you. Car expenses can really increase, so is actually always nice to learn ways to minimize what you spend.
    silveroak recently posted…Tour the Town In Style: Hilton Head & Savannah Limousine Services for TouristsMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Saini Flange says

    January 19, 2017 at 10:59 am

    Great Share!

    I found it too interesting and helpful too. Oil level is another important part of car maintenance and it should be kept topped up to the maximum mark as it avoids engine damage.

    Always go by the right way and save wealth of money.

    Keep sharing!

    Reply
  15. John says

    February 7, 2017 at 9:21 am

    Hey,
    I agree with your all points and all are part of a little checkup before going on any trip or for long journey. If anyone wants to save their time, money and want that their vehicle will long last then keep all steps in mind.
    John recently posted…Hello world!My Profile

    Reply
  16. Mark says

    March 10, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    Believe it or not, wiper blades are the third highest reason for a car failing an MOT in the UK. The first thing to do is to check your blades are clearing the screen adequately to provide clear vision. Remember, no need to get your wiper blades replaced at a garage, they are simple enough to do yourself.
    Mark recently posted…Can my car fail an MOT on its wiper blades?My Profile

    Reply
  17. Selene says

    March 13, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    Great post! Reading the manual is certainly always a great idea to become more familiar with your car. Also keeping up regular preventive maintenance is very important and will save you a lot of money in the long run. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  18. antique car parts catalog says

    March 21, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    NICE! But sometimes, buying a cheaper car might be a bad idea. You might be spending more because of a non declared problems.

    Reply
  19. coil springs says

    May 3, 2017 at 8:01 am

    Old cars lasts longer but really gets expensive on gas mileage and parts to replace.

    Reply
  20. suspension kits says

    May 3, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Even if you are not knowledgeable about taking your car to the mechanic, there are several ways that you can save money on car repairs. If you educate yourself a little bit about the process and different ways to save money on car repairs, then you will feel better about taking your car to the mechanic and confident that you are receiving the best value on your repairs.
    suspension kits recently posted…Looking for performance handling without any cutting and welding?My Profile

    Reply
  21. Anna Zelda says

    May 15, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    Keeping an old car running generally require a lot of maintenance but after reading these tips, I am sure the cost will be cut down.

    Reply
  22. Allisen Martin says

    May 16, 2017 at 7:07 am

    These tips are going to save a lot of money. Old cars do require the maintenance regularly but after knowing these tips everyone can save money on their old cars. Aftermarket parts will also save some money on the old cars.

    Reply
  23. Fleet Services NJ says

    May 24, 2017 at 7:58 am

    Awesome post. Did you know that your car needs to be maintained more often than you usually do? Cars are like people take care of them and they’ll take care of you. Contact us.

    Reply
  24. Sam Michael says

    June 9, 2017 at 8:32 am

    A well-maintained car has a higher selling value which will help you acquire a better return on your investment if you decide to sell it.

    For Genuine Volvo Parts Visit: https://www.myswedishparts.com

    Reply
  25. jannat says

    June 15, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    Same with the price point, buying used cars offers you variety. You can buy virtually any make or model year, which is a great feature for car enthusiasts who know a ton about automobiles.

    Reply
  26. Jenifer says

    June 19, 2017 at 5:42 am

    Cars need to be frequently checked for many of reasons. But the primary one is safety. Having regular check on your cars let you find parts that needs to be replaced sooner before they give out.

    Reply
  27. Kathleen Calado says

    June 20, 2017 at 4:33 am

    Very informative post. If you know your car parts well enough you can easily look for replacement that are not only affordable but also serves the best quality. Will recommend your article to my friends. Keep it up!

    Reply
  28. Car Accident lawyer says

    June 28, 2017 at 1:11 pm

    These tips are very useful, every person should prepare his car before he goes anywhere.

    Reply
  29. Blaine Tamayo says

    August 10, 2017 at 7:27 am

    One thing that a car owner should understand is that it is important for him to appreciate how the different components work together to enable his automobile to run – that every car part, component, or accessory has its own role in contributing to overall automotive performance and ride comfort. Thank you for sharing this!

    Reply
  30. spring perches says

    September 13, 2017 at 9:12 am

    Cars need to be regularly checked for tons of reasons. But the primary one is safety. Having regular check on your cars let you find parts that needs to be replaced sooner before they give out.

    Reply
  31. performance Strut Rods says

    September 27, 2017 at 8:38 am

    Only the best car pars for you, that will surely make your car more awesome and handsome.

    Reply
  32. Coil-Over Conversion kits says

    November 10, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    Some car accessories or parts that needs replacement can be hard to find sometimes and really expensive. It’s good to widen your search and get good deals on the internet.

    Reply
  33. Anna Zelda says

    November 23, 2017 at 11:39 am

    Having a car is a necessity for most families, depending on where you live. Certainly, if you live in a rural area, being able to get around on four wheels is of great importance. Buses are often few and far between, and you may have to commute or take the kids to and from school. Although running a car is very expensive, it’s an expense that not a lot of us can avoid.

    However, there are plenty of ways in which you can be sure that your vehicle-related costs stay as low as they can be you give perfect details.

    Keep posting and keep us updated.

    Reply
  34. Fleet Services NJ says

    March 7, 2018 at 5:09 am

    That really sucks. Same thing happened to me. Now i do maintenance to avoid this kind of problem in the future.

    Reply
  35. Esther Diaz says

    May 22, 2018 at 3:53 am

    Great points! Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve wanted to budget up more of my money since I pay all things on my own it’s important for me where my money goes. Anyways, awesome post!

    Reply
  36. Penelope Smith says

    January 8, 2019 at 5:32 am

    I liked that you pointed out that it would be smart to check a windscreen for damage. I want to buy my first car this spring so this is good for me to know. Also, it might be smart for me to look for a car that doesn’t have any auto body damage.

    Reply
  37. Penelope Smith says

    January 24, 2019 at 2:42 am

    I want to keep the costs down on keeping my car in good shape. It is good to know that it would be smart to look into getting used parts. That does seem like a simple way to save some money.

    Reply
  38. car suspension parts says

    March 27, 2019 at 8:24 am

    We should be taking care of your car/truck like it’s one of your own kids. It really is necessary to be maintained regularly to lasts a long long time.

    Reply

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