How to Save Money on Your Car Repairs

Car repairs are expensive, but by keeping your car well-maintained, being informed as a consumer and choosing your mechanic wisely, you can reduce those car repair bills significantly. Keep reading for 5 tips that will show you how to do just that. 1. Learn to do basic maintenance tasks on your car. There are a few very simple tasks that are crucial to keeping your car well-maintained, but can be done for very little cost if you learn how to do them yourself. These include changing your air filter, changing your fuel filter, rotating your tires and changing your oil. Replacing your air filter in the shop can cost you about $20-$30, whereas a new air filter can be bought at the auto parts store for a just a few dollars and replaced by you for free. Tasks like changing your fuel filter and your oil are slightly more complicated, but easy once you learn. To learn how to perform basic maintenance tasks on your vehicle, check out resource manuals specific to your make of car or look for instructional DVDs or videos at your local library.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. 1. Learn to do basic maintenance tasks on your car.
   
   There are a few very simple tasks that are crucial to keeping your car well-maintained, but can be done for very little cost if you learn how to do them yourself. These include changing your air filter, changing your fuel filter, rotating your tires and changing your oil.
   
   Replacing your air filter in the shop can cost you about $20-$30, whereas a new air filter can be bought at the auto parts store for a just a few dollars and replaced by you for free. Tasks like changing your fuel filter and your oil are slightly more complicated, but easy once you learn.
   
   To learn how to perform basic maintenance tasks on your vehicle, check out resource manuals specific to your make of car or look for instructional DVDs or videos at your local library.
2. 2. Always use a referred mechanic.
   
   Never take your car blindly to just any mechanic. Instead, ask around among your family, friends and coworkers for recommendations of mechanics that are honest, hardworking, sincere and diligent in their work.
   
   If you're stuck for recommendations, try checking online consumer review sites like Yelp.com. Sites like these let buyers like you rate and review mechanics, helping you to locate a great garage and avoid a bad one.
3. 3. Get it all in writing.
   
   Before you agree to any repairs, ask for a written estimate from your mechanic. Get the person to right out a detailed quote that covers labor expenses and parts. Then, instruct them not to do any unauthorized work without your confirmed permission.
4. 4. Ask to do a test drive before you settle up.
   
   Leave behind your identification as collateral or bring the mechanic with you, but always ask to do a test drive around the premises before you pay for the repairs. You want to make sure the car's problem has been fixed.
5. 5. Source your own parts.
   
   Instead of paying retail or dealership prices for expensive parts, tell the mechanic you'll source your own. Look to auto shops and parts dealers for discounts on either refurbished or salvaged parts that can save you a lot of money.