How to Save Money on Do-it-Yourself Car Repairs

Doing your own car repairs can save on expensive auto repairs, but what about saving money when doing it yourself? You can actually get by and spend even less money, even if you’re doing it on your own, by knowing where to look and who to talk to. Imagine the pride you’ll feel knowing that you repaired your automobile yourself and spent less cash doing so.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Visit message boards. There are numerous message boards related to automobiles and their repairs. Often, you can save time and money by visiting those boards and seeing how others have handled specific problems. This will help alleviate time spent looking for the reason a certain item isn’t working or where a leak might be coming from. See the links below for more information.

2. Be a member of the military. If you are a military member there are shops on base that you can use without having to send your car to a shop for repairs. They will also have various tools available that can save you from having to rent them.

3. Visit a vocational-tech school. Along with having the option to have a vo-tech student work on your vehicle, like the military, a vo-tech school will have a shop that can be used and tools that you can utilize instead of having to purchase them. See the links below for more information.

4. Get your vehicle’s service manual or buy a Chilton service manual. A Chilton manual is an indispensable tool to help with automotive issues. The Chilton manual is a large book of information on most any vehicle. It can tell you how to do smaller repairs and help with information on larger repairs.

5. Get parts from a retail store or a salvage yard. Locate your needed parts from a retail store or salvage yard to save on the cost that a dealership would charge. A dealership usually marks up the price considerably. If it’s a used part that you can utilize, a salvage yard can help you find exactly what you need.

6. Rent your own tools. There is no need to purchase brand new tools if you only plan to do a needed repair. Auto parts stores often rent tools that are needed to do automotive repairs. Having your own tools is cheaper in the long run, but if they are something you’ll only use once, consider renting them instead.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't attempt repairs that you feel you can't do competently.

Resources

• Auto Repair Message Board
• Auto Repair Trade Schools
• Napa Parts

[torque63]

on 12/27/2008 Ask for a discount when you buy parts and 9 times out 10 you may get one! Follow the book when making repairs, no short cuts. Short cuts are for experienced techs who have done the same repair 20 times and know exactly what they are doing. Work safe (that's important)!

[redhoss]

on 12/27/2008 Wise words. Been doing this for many years.