Jan 28
How To Get The Best Price For Automotive Repairs — 6 Fast Facts That Can Save You Serious Money
It’s a common cliche that only two things in life are certain, death and taxes — but that was written in the 1700s before the creation of the automobile more than 100 years later.
If it were written today, it would almost certainly say 4 things are absolutely certain, death, taxes, auto repairs, and having a software update shoved down your throad when you’re in a hurry.
As you have probably figured out from the headline on this article, it’s not about death, taxes, or software updates — though if anyone can find a way to avoid those, please let me know.
This short article is all about auto repairs, and how you can save some cash while still getting the premium quality mechanical work that your car or truck deserves.
Because let’s face it, anyone can save a few bucks by taking it to a terrible mechanic — but you’ll definitely end up paying more in the long run.
You’re much better off taking the time to find a top-notch mechanic with decent prices than a sloppy mechanic who works super cheap.
With that in mind, here are a few fast suggestions.
- Preventative Maintenance
The easiest way to save money on auto repairs is to prevent things from breaking in the first place.
Read your owners manual, find out what maintenance should be done, and make sure it’s taken care of — or have your mechanic handle all the details.
2. Get It Checked
The check engine light you’ve been ignoring for the last 3 weeks? Get it looked at.
It could be something minor — but if you leave it too long, minor problems can turn into big problems.
And big problems can be expensive.
3. Compare Local Mechanics
Finding the right mechanic is key — but it’s not always easy.
You can try to go by word of mouth, but you’re better off using an app or service that collects the prices and reviews of all the mechanic shops in your area, so you can compare them all in one place.
4. Learn To DIY
I’m not talking about rebuilding your engine, or even taking out dents and dings — but some things are definitely easy to do by yourself.
Learning how to change your own oil, air filter, and tires can save you money on some of the most commonly required maintenance — and they’re good skills to have.
5. Take Care Of Your Tires
Your tires are one of the easiest things to maintain, and you can save a bundle just by keeping them properly inflated.
Every tire has a PSI (pounds per square inch) rating on the side — if you check it once a month to make sure it’s inflated the right amount, you can save up to 3% on your fuel.
Got a flat? It’s incredibly easy to plug it, and you can get a cheap kit with instructions from your local hardware store or department store.
It might not last you forever, but it can save you the expense of getting towed to the mechanics shop at least.
6. Don’t Compromise
You might think it’s not worth the effort of finding “the perfect mechanic,” or maybe you think all the good repair shops are too far away.
Your car or truck does a lot for you, and if you keep it in great shape, it will keep getting you to where you need to be — but you need to do your part.
Talking to people you know can give you a good idea of where to start looking, and using a specialized app for comparing mechanics is even better.
It will be well worth your while when you find a top-notch repair shop with good prices — your wallet and your car will thank you.
Your car is more than just a means of transport, it’s something you can rely on to keep you out of bad weather, to get you where you need to be, and to be ready to roll in times of emergency.
If you take care of it, it will take care of you!
