If you are a car owner and you are fed up with paying expensive repair and maintenance costs for the upkeep of your vehicle, then this article could be just what you need to help you save some serious cash. Read on to discover how to save hundreds of pounds on car repairs.
Cheaper Car Repairs – So, What’s the Secret?
If you’re one of those people who call a mechanic at the first sign of any vehicle problems, then you are not on your own. Research shows that over 60% of vehicle owners under the age of thirty-five have never tried to fix any of their car problems. It also showed that only half of them could change a wheel for drivers of the age of thirty-five.
The secret is simple – the majority of car repairs are relatively straightforward, and they can quickly be learned with just a little effort. However, this small effort can save you hundreds of pounds over the time that you own the vehicle.
The truth is that most car repairs can be completed easily. Having said that, you should not attempt any car repairs that you are not entirely comfortable doing. Indeed, you should contact a qualified mechanic if you are experiencing any of the following vehicle problems:
- Coolant system
- Engine
- Electrical faults
- Gears
- Transmission
The aim is to save yourself money, and taking on any of the above are significant jobs. Messing them up could lead to you spending more than you bargained for.
Which Car Repairs Can You Take On Yourself
There are plenty of parts of your car that can be easily fixed and maintained. Here are 11 areas where you might be able to do the job yourself and save some money:
1. Changing Windscreen Wiper Blades
To replace the windscreen wipers on your car takes around ten minutes. The blades are clip-on and clip-off, so you don’t need any tools to complete this simple task.
All this job will cost you is the price of the new wiper-blades. You don’t need to go to a car dealership for these. Auto-parts stores such as Halfords will supply blades that fit your make and car model for a fraction of the cost of ‘genuine’ parts.
2. Changing the Air Filter
This job is another one that requires no tools. Again, you can source the new part from an auto-parts store. Replacing the filter is a matter of locating the old one under the bonnet, unclipping it, and clipping in the new one.
3. Replacing Headlight Bulbs
Your owner’s manual will inform you as to what specification of the headlight bulb you need. This booklet will also show you how to access the headlight to replace the bulb.
4. Adjusting Seat-Belt Buckles
If your seat-belt has become jammed or too loose, these can usually be rectified easily with just a screwdriver. Auto-parts stores sell replacement buckles if you need to replace them, and they will come with instructions on how to fit them.
5. Replacing Blown Fuses
Many times, what seems like a significant issue is merely a blown or faulty fuse. Your driver’s manual will inform you of the fuse box location. It is then only a matter of removing the blown fuse and replacing it with one of a similar amperage.
6. Touching-Up Paintwork
Minor scratches, dents, and chips in your paintwork do not need a trip to the body shop to get sorted. These are fixed much cheaper by doing them yourself. You can get the exact colour match of paint by consulting your owner’s manual and purchasing the paint from an auto-parts store such as Halfords.
6. Touching-Up Paintwork
Minor scratches, dents, and chips in your paintwork do not need a trip to the body shop to get sorted. These are fixed much cheaper by doing them yourself. You can get the exact colour match of paint by consulting your owner’s manual and purchasing the paint from an auto-parts store such as Halfords.
7. Repair Minor Windscreen Damage
Minor chips to your windscreen are easily fixed with repair kits. These kits are much less expensive than calling in a specialist windscreen repair service.
8. Punctured Tyres
Punctured tyres don’t always need to be replaced; you can make them as good as new with a puncture repair kit. Similarly, if you suffer a flat tyre while out on the road, change it yourself. This procedure is simple using your vehicle’s jack and tool kit.
9. Malfunctioning Horn
If your horn stops working, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is broken. It could be the result of a blown fuse or poor connection on the battery. Check both these things before considering a trip to the garage for a replacement. If it is broken, your car horn is something that needs to be replaced by a professional as it is part of the MoT.
10. Replacing Misfiring Spark Plugs
A new set of spark plugs are designed to last for around 100,000 miles, so the chances of you needing to change them on your vehicle are slim. However, it is a relatively simple task to carry out, should you need to. You’ll need a wrench to remove the old ones and tighten the new ones in place. If you need help locating them, your owner’s manual will show you.
11. Battery Change
A battery change is not as difficult as you might think and should only take you around twenty minutes to complete. When removing the old battery, be sure to disconnect the negative terminal first. The positive should be reconnected first when connecting the new battery.
Car Repair Tool Kit
If you are ready to do your own minor repairs on your vehicle, you will need a few basic tools. Here’s a recommended minimum of what you’ll need:
- Carjack
- Set of wrenches
- Pliers
- Multimeter
- Protective goggles
- Gloves
- Rags
All of these tools can be purchased at a reasonable price from an auto-parts store.
Conclusion
There are many mechanical and electrical jobs on your vehicle that must be carried out by s professional mechanic. Failure to do this could invalidate your warranty or MoT. However, there are so many minor jobs that you can easily do yourself with some basic tools and a little bit of knowledge. Sorting out these small car repairs can save you hundreds of pounds over the time you own the vehicle.