Purchasing a car can prove to be a rather costly investment, with the inclusion of all the associated costs such as insurance, petrol and maintenance. Here, we will discuss how you can keep running costs to a minimum, so you can enjoy your car without worrying about having to shell out a hefty cost on a regular basis.
Car insurance
When it comes to car insurance, research is key to finding the best deal for your vehicle. As such, you should:
- Shop around online using comparison sites
Insurance companies usually save their cheapest possible prices to entice new customers, meaning that existing customers often miss out on the best deals. Using online comparison sites is a great way of hunting out the best deal to suit your individual requirements and budget.
- Increase your excess to reduce your premium
Generally, the higher the excess on your insurance cover, the lower your premium will be. It’s worth noting that you must be able to afford the excess, as you will be required to pay the money when making a claim before your insurer pays out.
- Try to avoid paying monthly installments
Although spreading the cost of the car insurance over a year may seem less daunting than paying out the total cost in one go, many don’t realise that it will probably cost them more to pay in monthly installments. This is because many insurance companies charge interest to customers who pay for their insurance on a monthly basis, so it’s important to check your policy before signing on the dotted line.
- Be wary of any add-ons
Prior to paying for any add-ons, such as legal expenses cover, you should carefully consider whether these extras are completely necessary, as they could cause the price of your policy to rocket.
Fuel
Filling your car up with petrol or diesel is a considerable cost when running a car, so we recommend you take into account these fuel saving tips:
- Try to avoid rush hour
Being caught in stop-start traffic can use up a great deal of fuel.
- Reduce the number of trips you make
Try to plan your trips strategically so you can combine your errands into one trip rather than wasting fuel on multiple journeys.
- Drive at a constant speed and stick to the speed limit
- Switch off your air conditioning when it’s not needed
- Check your tyre pressure regularly
The lower your tyre pressure, the more fuel your vehicle needs to move.
Servicing
Always check your car for any needed servicing or maintenance. Annual servicing, along with regular maintenance checks in between, will help detect any problems with your vehicle in the early stages, preventing them from escalating into major issues. This not only saves you from shelling out hefty repair bills in the future but also improves the resale value of your car and prolongs its life. Regularly inspect your car’s engines and tires. If you notice any issues, you might consider getting the necessary engine parts, tires, or any other auto parts based on the identified problems. If you are skilled enough to handle the repairs on your own, that’s great as it can save you a significant amount of money. Nevertheless, if this is not your field of expertise, you may need to take your vehicle to an automotive repair shop.
When choosing an auto repair shop to get your car serviced, independent garages are usually always cheaper for servicing and repairs than dealerships. It’s strongly recommended that you acquire quotes from several different garages to see where will give you the best deal, using the cheapest quote as a bargaining tool.
To ensure you get a fair price when visiting a garage, you should:
- Ask for an itemised breakdown of the work required and the costing, including all parts and VAT charges.
- Check that the garage can use the original parts required for your model of car.
It’s worth noting that the cheapest deal doesn’t always equate to the best quality of work, so make sure you don’t compromise on quality workmanship when trying to find the lowest price.
About the Author
This article was is from Motorway Windscreens, a windscreen replacement company with years of experience in the industry. Find out more about Motorway Windscreens by visiting their website.