Keeping a vehicle on the road can often be a very expensive business. The easiest way to drive down the overall cost, in many cases, is to simply be proactive. Often, spending money before things go wrong can be a great way to prevent them from going wrong at all – or, at least, reduce the likelihood and potential impact of the failure.
Why small checks now prevent big bills later
A few key habits might allow you to anticipate failures in your vehicle. You’ll want to keep an eye on levels of oil, screenwash, and coolant. You’ll want to periodically test your brakes and lights. You’ll also want to check your tyres for premature or uneven wear, and ensure that they’re adequately inflated. Do this on the first weekend of every month (or whenever you consistently can). You’ll be rewarded with components that last longer and perform better.
Rising repair costs and the cost of neglect
Inflation is pushing up the cost of repairs in the UK. According to research from Warrantywise, the last year alone has seen repair bills for the most popular cars rise by a dizzying 20%. For more obscure models, the figure might be even higher.
The cost of preventative maintenance is now much, much lower – which means that being proactive will often represent a substantial long-term saving.
How regular checks improve fuel efficiency and resale value
When you’re regularly checking on your car, you can ensure that it’s not only less likely to fail, but that it runs more smoothly and cheaply. Swapping out tyres before you near the legal tread-depth limit, for example, will improve your traction, and by extension your fuel efficiency. A good servicing track record will also provide you with leverage, through which you’ll be able to negotiate a better price when part-exchanging. In Norwich used cars are much more desirable when the buyer believes that they’re going to be reliable.
Establishing a regular check schedule – what to look for and when
We’ve already set out the importance of habitual checks, conducted once every month. But you might actually go further than that with weekly checks on certain components and symptoms. A quick glance might be all that’s required. At the same time, an annual service might provide a more exhaustive overview of the vehicle, and provide you with assurance that everything is working as it should be. It will cover everything from the quality of your air conditioning to the seals around your windows.