New Drivers: How to Effective Repair Your Old Car without Breaking the Bank
Friday, September 21, 2018, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
Driving an older vehicle can be ideal because you don’t have to make a car payment each month. Older cars can also be fun to drive because you can make repairs or change the oil yourself.
However, as a car ages, it may be more likely to malfunction.
Let’s look at some ways to repair an older vehicle in an affordable manner.
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Visit a Salvage Yard
Salvage yards feature parts from vehicles made both today and in decades past. To make your visit a more convenient one, call ahead to see if they have parts for your make and model in stock. In some cases, a salvage yard will agree to pick the part for you and deliver it to your home.
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Go Online to Find Used Car Parts
Going online to find auto parts for sale can help you uncover a variety of local private sellers. It may also be possible to find sellers from across the country or in other countries who have parts that could be difficult to find in your area at a reasonable price. Auto parts stores also have an online presence, and they may be able to source anything from a new frame to original hub caps.
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Do the Work Yourself
If possible, do the repair work yourself to save money on labor costs. Depending on the scope of the repair work, it may be easier and faster to do it yourself as opposed to letting a professional take care of it. If you can’t do the work yourself, see if a friend or family member is willing to contribute his or her time and expertise to getting the job done right.
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Make Repairs in a Timely Manner
Problems are generally easier and less expensive to deal with when they are handled sooner rather than later. For instance, dealing with a fluid leak at the first sign of trouble could spending $100 to seal the leak and replace a soaked starter. However, by waiting, you may need to spend thousands of dollars to replace the entire transmission.
An older vehicle may have more sentimental value to its owner than monetary value on the open market. The good news is that you can repair the vehicle that you can’t stand to part with without breaking the bank.
By doing the work yourself and being flexible when sourcing parts, it is possible to keep your current ride in running condition for as long as you want to own it.
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