There is nothing more tragic than the words, ‘I wish I had,’ and ‘If only,’ and yet they are uttered hundreds of times a day all over the UK. Sometimes the consequences of these words are mild and trivial – and here’s how you can make sure that remains the case by saving money on car maintenance without compromising your safety – or that of anyone else on the road!
Little but Often
Ignoring all your car maintenance tasks until they absolutely have to be done is a good way to spend a lot of money all at once – and the longer you leave maintenance tasks, the greater the risk that they will transform from preventive checks into active and necessary repairs. Get into the habit of performing maintenance tasks and checks frequently, taking care of tiny problems before they can develop into larger (and more expensive) issues. For example, if you regularly commute from Buckinghamshire to Hertfordshire, for work, leisure or to make social calls, you can make sure that you check your tyres before each road trip. Link similar tasks with other regular drives (check tyre pressure when you fill up the tank, check the general condition of the car’s body before a grocery run, and so on) so that you are constantly cycling through a thorough checklist to ensure your car remains in tip-top shape.
Prevention Better Than Cure
As mentioned above, performing little maintenance tasks often can delay and defer repairs, even quite major ones, by ensuring that damage is never allowed to take hold to such an extent that it worsens into an expensive problem for your wallet! Your annual MOT comes in handy here, helping you cover all the potential problems that might otherwise arise later on. Think of it as being similar to going to the doctor for vaccines and preventative treatments to stave off long-term ill-health: in the same way, you can help your car to stay ‘healthy’ for longer. Look for a reputable garage that will work with you to keep your car ticking over for a modest fee, and when you find one, stick with them! One such example is Broadway Autocentres; you can book your MOT in Buckinghamshire at £39 – the offer is extended til end of October.
Invest in the Best
But sometimes, you will need to bite the bullet and invest in major repairs for your car – that or possibly consider exchanging it for a newer model. When that time arrives, make sure you recognise it: a great number of drivers have later looked back and regretted ‘making do’ with a past-its-best vehicle for another year or two, because of all the expensive breakdowns and delays that they faced by doing so! Understand the limitations of your vehicle, and make the best decision for your finances – and for your own convenience too!
