3 Tips For Reduced Car Repair Costs
Posted on: 25 January 2017
Do you have a car that seems to be breaking down almost constantly? Are you trying to save up to get a newer vehicle, but repair costs keep eating into the money that you've been setting aside? Dealing with a vehicle that seems to be doing nothing but breaking down can be a huge hassle. Not only can the mounting repair costs make it difficult for you to buy a new vehicle, you may have a hard time simply dealing with your usual bills. Fortunately, there are ways to help cut the price of your repairs so that your bank account isn't always empty. A few things you can do include:
Buy used parts: Find a repair shop that will let you bring in used parts to install, rather than only brand new ones from your local dealer. Once you've done that, check out your local auto salvage lots to find parts that will fit your make and model of vehicle. Depending on exactly what parts you need, you may be able to get them for a very small fraction of the cost of a new part. So instead of spending several hundred dollars on something like a new alternator, you may be able to find an auto salvage yard that has a certified reconditioned alternator for just a few tens of dollars. Contact a company like Fox Valley Iron Metal & Auto Salvage Inc for more info about salvaging parts.
Do some repairs yourself: Your local auto parts store should sell or be able to order a manual that shows how to perform most repairs that your vehicle might need. While some of these might be outside of your skillset, others are remarkably simple. Replacing belts and filters, for example, can be expensive if you take your car to the mechanic but may only take you a few minutes to do once you get the hang of things. If you're especially handy, you may even be able to do something like replace your old muffler with one that you picked up at your local auto salvage yard.
Avoid unnecessary repairs: When you go in to get your car's brakes done, your mechanic may suggest that your drums and rotors should also be replaced. However, your drums are usually good for around 200,000 miles. If your car only has 150,000 miles on it, your drums probably don't need to be replaced right now. Your mechanic may be recommending it now as a precaution, but you still have time before it's a necessity. The same may be true of other parts, such as tires or belts. When you get a part replaced, whether with one that's new or a used part from your local auto salvage yard, make a note of it in a special notebook. It's easy to forget what parts were replaced when and pay for things that you don't actually need.
Share