Keeping a car on the road can be an expensive feat, but for many of us it’s a necessity and a priority.
In fact, recent ONS stats show that motoring typically accounts for around a quarter of the maximum weekly spend for the poorest car-owning families in the UK.
The costs involved in keeping and maintaining a vehicle – fuel, repairs, tyres and servicing – quickly mount up. However, there are a few ways to keep costs down.
We chatted to one of our members, Emily Kirkland, who is super keen to get a bargain when it comes to running her car. She has shared her top 10 tips and tricks to keep down costs.
1. If you’re buying a new car, think about how much tax you’re going to be charged. For cars registered on or after 1 April 2017, you’ll pay a rate based on a vehicle’s CO2 emissions. And, you have to pay an extra £310 a year if you have a car costing more than £40,000.
2. The Association of British Insurers reckons you can save a third on annual car insurance premiums by simply shopping around and we are always offering top deals on insurance policies. Right now, you can get £65 cashback with More Than.
3. If you can pay for your car insurance in one lump sum, it may work out cheaper as insurance companies often add interest if you spread the cost. If you’re not able to, consider using a 0% interest credit card to pay for it but remember to pay your credit card bill on time to avoid interest charges.
4. Think about where you’re getting your fuel from. If you stop off at Tesco or Sainsbury’s, you can earn Clubcard or Nectar points to put towards something else you need. Websites like www.PetrolPrices.com will help you find the best prices.
5. If you feel like you are getting through too much fuel it could be down to the way you drive. Take another look at your driving technique and be careful with how hard you push down on the accelerator and break. Also, do not weigh down your car; your car needs more fuel to move more weight around.
6. With call-out charges from local garages being as much as £90, good breakdown cover is essential. Try haggling with providers over the internet and looking at our cashback offers to get a better deal. We’re currently offering up to £130 on AA UK Breakdown cover.
7. Did you know we offer cashback on MOTs? You could save 8.4% by booking an MOT with Kwik Fit.
8. Shops like Lidl and Aldi sell quality screen wash, air fresheners and car cleaning kits for rock-bottom prices.
9. When buying spare parts of replacement tyres, shop around and compare local garages with big name garages and online marketplaces like eBay. It’s also often cheaper to buy barely-used second hand tyres, but make sure you get them checked out by a professional to ensure they are road safe.
10. Save a small amount of money each month and move it in to an emergency car fund so you’re not caught out with costs you cannot afford should something go wrong.
