If you own a vehicle, chances are you’ll require it on a frequent basis. Maybe you need it to go to work, or maybe you need it to get the kids to daycare or school. It’s possible that you need it to visit friends and relatives or to feel independent (this is particularly crucial when it comes to your mental wellness).

However, having a car has certain obligations. Driving carefully and safely, obeying the laws, and, of course, making repairs when anything goes wrong are all part of vehicle ownership. This latter point can become quite costly, and it doesn’t matter what sort of vehicle you drive or how old it is, every car will need to be repaired at some point. These repairs can sometimes cost thousands of dollars, and you know you have to pay for them or be stranded without a car. So, what are the options? How can you save money on auto repairs? Continue reading for some useful suggestions.

Drive Carefully

Cars will always need maintenance, and repairs will be required from time to time. However, if you want to keep your automobile repair costs low, you can help yourself by driving more carefully. The more cautious you are, the less likely it is that your car will need repairs other than routine maintenance.

Assess the road you’re traveling on; is it level and smooth, or are there potholes and other obstacles? If that’s the case, you’ll need to drive much slower than usual. The same holds true if the weather is inclement. Additionally, speeding up and slowing down during your drive is bad for the car and the tires. You’ll use less gas and keep your vehicle in better condition if you follow the speed limit and maintain the same speed throughout your trip, as far as possible, at least.

When it comes to accidents, be alert at all times and drive as cautiously as possible. Of course, it’s hard to foresee what other drivers will do, but if you’re a defensive driver, you’re significantly less likely to have any damage done to your vehicle. This way, you won’t have to continually get it fixed, which will save you money on things like dent body repair.

Do It Yourself

One of the best ways to save money when it comes to repairs on your vehicle is to do it yourself or as much of it as you can do. Telling people to make repairs themselves is one thing, but of course, it may not be quite as easy as it sounds, do only ever do tasks that you are happy to do. Having said that, even if you only have a very limited understanding of how car maintenance works, there will still be some jobs you can do yourself, which, if you outsourced to a professional, would cost you a lot more. These include changing tires, topping up oil and water, and resetting the car’s onboard computer, along with plenty more.

If you are more confident in what to do under the hood of a car, then you can do more jobs. Thanks to the internet, it’s now possible to source any part you might need, including very specific parts such as Mustang coilovers and similar. If you decide to do some basic maintenance yourself, make sure to choose a high-quality oil brand like liqui moly oil to ensure your engine is properly lubricated and protected. This means you can find what you need and make repairs yourself, saving a lot of money in the meantime.

Get Recommendations

It might be that you can’t or don’t want to do the work yourself. In that case, one further way to keep your car repair costs down is to get referrals from people you know, such as loved ones, coworkers, and acquaintances. If you’ve never needed to find a mechanic before, it might be difficult to determine who to trust. These suggestions from loved ones can make the process easier. When you do this, for example, you can be confident that you won’t be overcharged.

You can also check the prices if you get suggestions. If a friend or family member has had a comparable repair done, you can ask them how much it costs (if they are willing to share this information with you) and then compare that cost to the quotation you get for the same work. You can use this information to make an educated choice about whether or not the price is a fair one.

Get A Second Opinion

Cars can fail for a variety of reasons, and even the most skilled and experienced mechanics can make mistakes from time to time. This will not only be an issue since the repairs will not be completed completely, but it may also cost you extra money in the long run. This is why, if you want to keep auto repair costs low, it’s a good idea to obtain a second opinion.

It is possible that the first mechanic was accurate, but the second (or third) offers a lower price. If this is the case, you must, of course, be sure that you continue to get high-quality work. Perhaps the second (or third) mechanic will discover something new or different. You can then consult with a range of different experts to decide what to do next.

The idea is that you don’t want to pay for something you don’t need, but you also don’t want to leave work half-finished. It’s important to get all of the information so you can make an informed decision on how to keep auto maintenance costs low.

Do Your Own Research

It’s also a good idea to do a lot of research on what might be wrong with the vehicle in the first place. Although having an idea in advance of what the issue might be does not eliminate the need for a competent technician if you’re not confident enough to do the work yourself, this could help to narrow the potential faults and give you a better sense of what you may have to spend before you speak to an expert.

Furthermore, when you have a decent sense of what’s wrong with the car, you can be confident that you receive good advice and reasonable estimates from any mechanic you visit.