Auto repairs can be expensive. There are many different kinds of repairs that your car or truck may need over its lifetime – maintenance repairs, preventive maintenance repairs, emergency repairs, etc. These repair bills can quickly add up, but by using the tips below you can save money on your auto repairs.
– Know your car
The more you know about auto repair in general and your vehicle in particular, the more informed you’ll be when you discuss repairs with your mechanic. Some mechanics may opt to try more expensive repairs first before attempting a simpler, cheaper option, but if you know some of the basics about how your car runs and what it’s had done to it in the past, you can have a knowledgeable discussion with your mechanic and maybe talk him into trying a cheaper solution first.
– Do it yourself
You can probably perform many of your vehicle’s routine repairs yourself, thus saving a significant amount of money. Many maintenance tasks are simple, if you don’t mind getting a little dirty or turning a screwdriver. Depending on your vehicle, you can likely change your own air filter and cabin air filter, as well as replace any bulbs or fuses that die on you. By replacing these parts yourself, you’ll save on labor costs, as well as any inflated parts prices or disposal fees that your mechanic or service center may charge.
– Find a good independent mechanic
The service center at an auto dealership will generally do a great job servicing your vehicle. They’ll use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts, follow all of the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines, and they typically don’t cut any corners. They’re also probably very familiar with your vehicle, or at least similar models. But dealer service centers can also be expensive, for the same reasons listed above. If you want to save money, try to find a good independent mechanic or auto repair shop. The prices will be lower in most cases, but the trade-off is that they may use third-party or aftermarket parts, and it may take a day or longer to get some parts for your vehicle that they don’t have in stock.
– Buy the parts yourself
If you know what part or parts need to be replaced, you can purchase the parts yourself and possibly save some money. Some auto repair shops will charge you an inflated price for parts, while others may just charge you what they pay. You can buy a lot of auto parts online, and if you buy non-OEM parts you can save a good deal of money (but be careful because the quality of the parts may suffer). When buying non-OEM parts, try to get a warranty with the parts if you can.
Get an estimate from your auto shop for the cost of any parts needed, and see if you can find a website or store that can beat that price. For some parts, you can also check local salvage yards, where you can find parts for very cheap. Certain parts (such as a mirror or door) are better to get from a salvage yard or junkyard than other parts (like a transmission or catalytic converter).