10 ways to cut motoring costs
1. Box clever
When buying a car, don’t be dazzled by special offers or massive discounts. Consider factors such as fuel economy, residual values and other running costs as well. And always do your homework before buying.
2. Buy the newest car you can afford
One in three cars will suffer a mechanical failure of some sort every year, according to UK website www.warrantyguide.co.uk. And while a one-year-old car has a failure incidence of 19%, that figure leaps to 28% for a seven-year-old car.
3. Have your car serviced regularly
Car owners are hanging on to their current vehicles for longer – and some are not getting them regularly serviced. This can be a costly omission, says Jeff Osborne, chief executive of SA’s Retail Motor Industry organisation. He says regular servicing makes good sense – costs are ultimately reduced while road safety is boosted. ‘In these difficult financial times, it may be tempting to delay or even ignore routine car maintenance, especially since modern cars tend to be very reliable. But if owners don’t carry out scheduled maintenance or have repairs done promptly, they could eventually pay much more,’ he says.
4. Drive frugally
Fuel is expensive. Drive when you have to, not just for fun, and the savings will start mounting.
5. Look after your tyres
Inflate your car’s tyres to the correct pressure and make sure the wheels are properly aligned. You’ll reduce fuel consumption, extend tyre life and improve ride comfort.
6. Learn how to drive properly
Men tend to think they’re natural-born drivers but we girls know that, no matter how confident we feel behind the wheel, it’s sensible to invest in an advanced driving-skills course.
7. Take care of your car
Don’t leave your car under trees that leak sap, park as far away from shopping trolleys as possible and don’t smoke in your car. Damage to the paintwork and a smelly interior will devalue the car when the time comes to sell.
8. Use independent dealers
You don’t have to use franchised dealers to service your car once it’s out of warranty. Get a quote from a franchised dealer and another from an independent dealer and compare the cost. Supply the oil yourself when having the car serviced as dealers put huge mark-ups on oil.
9. Check the paperwork
Make sure you have a good warranty and maintenance plan in place. Warranties vary from car to can so check them carefully before buying. A maintenance plan is more cost-effective than a service plan. Always check to see which items are included – and which are excluded. Don’t go for grey
10. Don’t go for grey
Grey cars are more likely to need roadside assistance than vehicles of any other colour, according to UK online motoring magazine imotorrnag.co.uk. (The colour green is also unlucky, so scratch that off your list as well.) The upside is that grey vehicles tend not to show their age as much as the colour looks new for longer, and scratches and dents are less noticeable.