Did you spend more than you’d like on your car this year? We all know how expensive it can be keeping your car working on the road; paying insurance, tax, services. It all adds up to a big bill on your car every year. If you’re looking to cut your motor costs, here’s our advice to save some money in 2019.
Tyres are often left to the last minute because of how expensive they can be to replace. However, looking after your tyres and investing in replacements in good time can save you money in the long run. Worn out or under inflated tyres can cost you substantially more money in increased fuel consumption and you probably don’t even realise how it all adds up. It’s also worth bearing in mind that there are many tyres that are extremely affordable, and you don’t need to spend lots on top of the range tyres either. Standard low-tier tyres are just as functional and are better than expensive tyres that are damaged or worn. Weighing up your expenditures on your fuel every year and comparing it to the cost of new tyres will give you an idea of how much you can be saving. Making sure to undertake regular tyre checks so you know when your tyres start to deflate or wear away allows you to tackle the problems as soon as they occur and save yourself some money. Tyre checks only take a few minutes and will give you a better understanding of their condition.
None of us wants to believe we’re bad drivers, but being realistic about our driving style can save us money. If you drive badly you’re likely to be wasting more fuel, which as we know, can add up in the long run. Accelerating too much, not changing gears properly and inconsistent driving will add to the general wear of your car, decreasing it’s life. Several months of this will add up to more maintenance needing to be done on the car and likely more costly repairs. Safer driving consumes less fuel and increases your car’s lifespan, as well as reducing repair bills. Be honest with yourself about your driving if you really want to save money. If you think you could improve your driving style, it’s worth looking into refreshing yourself. You can get assistance and advice on safer and more economical driving tips online or with a driving instructor.
Insurance is always one of the more expensive areas of car expense. If you’re not careful, your provider can raise your costs without you noticing. If you’ve been with the same insurance provider for a while it’s worth looking closely at how your costs are changing each year. It’s worth noting that the more years no claims you have, the insurance should be going down rather than up, so if you know you’ve not had any claims and your costs are still increasing, it’s time to switch providers. There are plenty of comparison sites around that can help you find a better price on your car insurance, take a look around when your renewal comes up and see what you can find. Many people avoid switching because of the hassle, but comparison sites now make it as quick and easy as possible for you, so just think of all the money you’d be saving a year and what else you could be using that money on. All you need is your correct details and some documents and you’re ready to start saving on insurance. You never know, if you find a better price elsewhere your current provider may even match the cost to keep you on board.
For tax and insurance bills, many people opt to pay monthly to make the payments more manageable. While this is understandable, you will pay more in additional costs in the long run. If you can, paying annually will save you much more than anything else on your car’s costs every year. The best way to try and switch to annual payments is to come up with a savings plan. Saving up some money in advance, even if it’s not the entire cost of the insurance, will make paying your full annual payment much easier. Not only does paying one payment up front save money, it also means you don’t have to worry about this for the rest of the year.
Cars can become dumping grounds for lots of stuff. We’re all guilty of accumulating additional items that we might not need in our boot or backseat. You probably don’t think about how those extra things will affect your car expenditure every year, but these all add up too. For every 50kg of weight you carry in your car, your fuel economy falls by 2%. As we’ve already discussed, fuel costs add up quickly, so if you know you’ve got a packed car, it’s time to lighten up your load. If you don’t need the item in the car for emergencies, take it out. Even small items will add up, so be realistic about whether you need the item in your car or not. If you know you’re particularly bad at hoarding stuff in your car, try to come up with a regular schedule for giving your car a clear out.
Maintaining your car with some simple changes is the easiest way to save yourself money on car bills every year. At NMT Garages, we understand the importance of maintaining the good condition of your car and we can save you money by fixing and repairing issues before they get too costly. To book yourself in or to find out more about our services, get in touch with the team at NMT Garage Services. You can fill out our online contact form or give us a call on 01234 355 888 and our highly skilled and professional mechanics can ensure you get the assistance you need.
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