How to save money on car repairs

With the cost of living continuing to bite, a trip to the mechanic may not be high on the budget-priority list. Here are our top tips for finding a mechanic that won’t break the bank (or your car), and where and when you should try to save on repair costs.

1. Ask your mates
   Word of mouth trumps everything when it comes to mechanics. If a mate says so-and-so is honest, affordable and does a good job, then what are you waiting for?
   
   
2. Look online
   If you want to extend the pool of reviewers, head to the web and look for local mechanics that have online reviews. If a mechanic has one bad review, you might overlook that. If they have a few, it may be best to steer clear.
   
   
3. Get a few quotes
   Ask your mechanic to give you a quote for repairs. Then ask another mechanic to evaluate your car and give you a quote for what they believe needs doing. Perhaps ask a third mechanic, too. You may well be amazed by the difference – not just in cost, but in the diagnoses of your car’s problems.
   
   
4. Find a mechanic you can talk to
   Ultimately, we all just want a mechanic we can trust, and trust starts with clear communication. You want a mechanic who listens to you, talks to you about your car in a language you can understand, and returns your calls. If they don’t, move on.
   
   
5. Talk to your mechanic about costs
   Your mechanic may think money is no object for you. If you need to save on costs, tell them. They may be able to suggest ways in which you can reduce your bill – by putting off non-essential repairs or using after-market parts, for example.

1. Don’t skip regular services
   If you’re considering skipping a service to save money, think again. It might end up costing you in the long run. Regular servicing can prevent problems, identify small problems before they become big, reduce running costs, and make your car more valuable when you sell it.
   
   
2. Don’t delay repairs – unless your mechanic says it’s okay
   Delaying repairs can put your safety at risk. It can also lead to bigger repairs down the track, or even wreck your car altogether. Having said that, some jobs might not need immediate attention. Once you’ve found a mechanic you trust, listen to their advice.
   
   
3. Learn to do some maintenance yourself
   With cars looking more and more like computers on wheels, fixing them isn’t as easy as it used to be, but you can still do some maintenance yourself. The easiest jobs include changing wiper blades and light globes, checking fluid levels and cleaning battery terminals. You’ll be doing oil changes and tyre rotations before you know it.
   
   
4. Shop around for some items
   You can save money by shopping around for items such as tyres, wiper blades and batteries. Talk to your mechanic about other ways you could shop around to save cash. You might be able to provide your own oil when you put your car in for maintenance.
   
   
5. Learn how to fix scratches yourself
   If your car’s issues are cosmetic, there’s no need to rush to a panel beater. Learn how to fix minor scratches yourself. Not sure if it’s a DIY job? See our article on how to deal with minor rust, scratches and dents.

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}