Six Easy Ways To Save Money On Car Maintenance And Repairs
Saturday, March 19, 2016, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
Necessary car repairs often come up at the most inconvenient times. Unfortunately, you need your car in good working condition, and sometimes you have no choice but to spend the money the mechanic is asking.
With a bit of extra knowledge, though, you can make car maintenance and repairs more affordable.
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Plan for Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance like oil changes, tire rotation and other such services are essential for keeping your car in top shape. At times, it can seem like these are unnecessary expenses.
However, not taking care of the maintenance can sometimes lead to more expensive repairs down the line.
For instance, during an oil change, the mechanic might notice a belt that’s about to break.
Repairing that is a simple fix, but if it actually broke, it might cause hundreds of dollars of damage.
Check your owner’s manual for the maintenance recommendations.
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Sign Up for Mailing Lists
Almost every mechanic offers the ability to sign up for a mailing list on their website. When you give the company your home or email address, they’ll periodically send you advertisements for discounts on regular services.
When you know it’s about time for an oil change, simply keep an eye out for those mailings. Often, companies even keep track of when you’re due for service and send them at that time.
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Find a Mechanic You Trust
One of the most frustrating things about taking your car in for repairs is feeling like you’re getting swindled.
Everyone’s had the experience of going into the mechanic for one thing and having to pay for a few extra services.
Many mechanics routinely try to upsell services or exaggerate the severity of problems with your car. When you find a mechanic that treats you well and doesn’t do this, stick with them.
For example, if you need to repair your car after an accident, be sure to work with experts like those at this auto body shop in Provo. Professionals like this are experienced and offer high-quality work. You don’t want to go to someone who will do a poor job on repairs that are still noticeable.
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Compare Quotes
You don’t have to get the work done at the first mechanic you see. Many car repair shops will give you a free estimate on the work you need done. You can then compare costs between mechanics.
If one quote seems quite a bit lower, though, make sure to ask why. It could be that the company is greatly underestimating the amount of time they will take to fix your car, and you’ll be in for a big surprise when you actually get the bill.
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Bundle Your Services
Look for ways that you can get a discount when you combine services. Many mechanics offer bundled packages that include a few different basic services.
If you have a necessary repair right now, it might also make sense to repair something else at the same time because the engine will already be apart. These are the times when it’s helpful to have a mechanic you can trust.
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Check Things Out Yourself
If you’re taking your car to a mechanic because your “Check Engine” light is on, but you don’t notice anything that seems wrong, consider diagnosing the problem yourself.
For a small amount of money, you can purchase your own “on-board diagnostic tool”. You simply plug this little device into the car and it will tell you why the light is on. The problem might be something you can fix yourself, like replacing a light bulb.
Cars need regular maintenance and will eventually break down. If you want to save money, you need to do your research before the worst has happened. Planning ahead can make a big difference.
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