Vehicle

How to save money when servicing your car

Many motorists have experienced financial burden due to the  pandemic in South Africa. It is always great to find ways to save some money. Car maintenance varies with each situation, but one thing is for sure – it’s a big part of our annual budget. Read on about the tips on how you can save you money on car services.1.

Repair your car on time1

As soon as you notice a fault with your car, deal with it as quickly as possible. For this reason, services should be done regularly according to the manual. The longer you leave something to worsen, the more expensive it can become to repair. For instance, a delay in replacing brake pads could cause disc damage, which is more costly to replace.

Protect your warranty1

New cars are usually covered by a 5-year warranty, which you can lose if you don’t follow the designated service schedule. If you default, you will have to pay for any costly repairs yourself. While your car will be benefitting from having regular services, you are also building up a full-service history, which is important to any future buyer.

What happens when the warranty has lapsed?1

At this stage, it no longer matters to have your car serviced by a franchised or accredited dealer. This means a good garage can service your car at a possible less cost. Doing this should not affect the resale value of your vehicle.

Should I extend the warranty?1

Buying an extended warranty could save you serious costs in the future. You are not restricted to getting this from the car manufacturer as other companies can provide it. Be careful to read the small print and see what is covered.

Saving on tyres1

When it’s time to replace tyres, first do some bargain hunting on the Internet . You may be pleasantly surprised and save money.

Where can I find a reliable mechanic?1 

Do some homework with online reviews and general networking and locate a mechanic who is experienced and  specialises in a particular make of cars, such as Volkswagen or Renault. Some mechanics may be a ‘jack of all trades…’ which may not be what you want. Independent car specialists may offer you the choice between manufacturer’s car parts or aftermarket parts. Using the latter could save you considerably.

Get a second opinion1

Obtain a second opinion if you are facing an expensive repair quote. Use various websites where you can compare different costs for the same repair job, which will provide you with a ballpark figure that you can use as a reference against the local mechanic’s  asking price.

What about saving on car parts?1

Your mechanic may inform you what parts he would like to use to repair your car. You could shop around for those parts, but most mechanics prefer to use their own car parts.

Prevention is better than cure1

By using rubber mats and seat covers to protect your car from the usual wear and tear, you may increase your car’s future resale value.

Warranty is a type of cover, but what about good insurance cover for your car? Contact PMD and discover all about their affordable car insurance products.

This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.

Source:

1https://www.completecovergroup.com/blog/car-maintenance/car-maintenance-costs-save-money/

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