Teen Drivers: How You Can Save Money on Car Repair
Saturday, September 30, 2017, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
Years ago if teenagers wanted to drive, it was usually the family car they would take for everything from going to the movies to a prom.
Nowadays, teenagers have a lot more privilege and freedoms many of their parents and grandparents did not have.
However, teens are the most accident-prone drivers on the road. Youths are also tougher on things. If you have ever had a minivan full of kids, you understand. All of this combined can wreak havoc on the vehicles your family uses.
If you have teen drivers, here is how you can save on car repair.
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Catch Problems Early
Have you ever needed to take the vehicle your teen uses into the shop for a major repair and wonder why they never reported to you that the vehicle was handling rough or making a noise? Catching needed repairs early can save you hundreds of dollars or more.
Instill in your teen drivers the absolute necessity of reporting to you any handling issues, such as vibrations when braking or clunks and squeaks along with other unfamiliar sounds.
Catching a needed repair, such as replacing the brake pads before the rotors are gouged, saves a lot of money.
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Buy Used Parts
If you own a used vehicle, opt for parts from a salvage yard. You can replace anything from a broken headlight assembly to the transmission using parts from a salvaged automobile.
You can save even more money by purchasing from a used parts center where you provide the labor to remove the parts you need.
U Pull & Pay is an example, and they have locations across the country where you bring your own tools to get the parts you need to fix your vehicle from a salvaged vehicle of the same make, model and year.
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Buy Aftermarket Parts
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are often preferred.
There are situations where an aftermarket part is not only cheaper, but it is also better. Aftermarket options are made for most car parts from body parts to engine components.
It takes a little savvy knowledge about car parts to decide when an aftermarket part is acceptable. You probably already choose non-OEM parts often if you make your own repairs such as replacing brake pads and rotors.
If you are happy with those aftermarket options, you can use them for replacing alternators, water pumps, blower motors and other common things that need fixed on cars.
Even if you get all repairs done by trained mechanics, you can usually choose what parts are used. Repair shops have rates for repairs that are separate from the cost for parts.
Most places will allow you to provide your own used or other parts needed to make the repairs on your vehicle. Just be sure to understand changes in any written guarantees for repairs when you provide your own parts.
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