One of the few perks of lockdown life is that our limited lifestyles have allowed many of us to save up a bit of money month to month. That’s because we’re not spending anywhere near as much on the usual necessities that weigh us down, one of which is the daily commute to work, which has seen us save a chunk of money that we’d normally have to put towards our cars.
There doesn’t have to be a global pandemic on to save money on your car, though, and as things get back to normal it’s wise to look at ways to maintain some level of savings with regards to your vehicle. Here are six ways to keep your money away from going into your car.
Don’t Settle For The First Deal You See
One of the first rules of any buying process is to shop around. Whether you’re buying your car, shopping for insurance or looking for a repair job, there are countless providers for each service who would all be keen on getting your custom. So, don’t be afraid to compare prices, play them off against each other and try your hand at a bit of negotiation.
The car buying, insurance and servicing and repair markets are some of the easiest places to get a better deal, so don’t settle for the first price you see – especially when there’s good money involved.
Choose A Deal That’s Right For You
When it comes to actually buying a car, it’s important that you get it right. After all, buying yourself a car is likely to be one of the bigger personal expenditures in any year, so don’t get caught out on with a poor buying choice.
There are plenty of options out there to suit every budget. For those with money to spend, buying new is an option, but most of us will likely plump for something second hand. Don’t forget, you have an array of monthly payment options available to you, including finance deals that’ll help you break the cost of your new vehicle down or accessible lease deals that will enable you to get a brand-new car for a few years affordably.
Keep On Top Of Your Maintenance
Nobody wants to spend any more time than they need to out in the garage tending to their car, but keeping on top of your car’s key maintenance, whether that’s day to day bits or annual checks, is essential to prevent unexpected financial burdens hitting you in the future.
Once you’ve bought a car, it’s very easy to leave it as it is – as long as it’s getting you from A to B then it’s fine, right? You’d think and hope so, but there are plenty of problems that could be bubbling under the surface that could become worse if you don’t look after your car.
Be Wary Of The Effects Of Coronavirus On Your Car
Speaking of maintenance, it’s never been important to look after your car now while you’re using it the least. While we’ve been worried about our own health, our cars have been sat outside in the cold doing little to nothing, which isn’t what a car should be doing.
Flat batteries, decreasing tyre pressures and dirt building up in the wrong places can all cause frustrating and potentially costly issues.
Be Gentle
You might enjoy driving quickly or chucking the car around a bit when you’re out and about, but being an aggressive driver is potentially damaging to both your car and your wallet.
If you’re heavy on the throttle in traffic or spend your days hammering down the motorway, you’re burning more fuel than you need to and can increase component wear. At the same time, a full rev of your engine every now and again is necessary to dislodge potentially harmful carbon deposits. So, drive gently most of the time, putting the pedal down occasionally to keep your engine running at its best.
Sharing Is Caring
The reduced use of our cars has shown many of us just how much money can be saved by virtue of driving less. So, when the time comes to get back to normal, why not make an effort to limit your everyday driving and save on fuel costs across the year?
You can do so by car sharing with colleagues and friends for different journeys. The process is mutually beneficial, as if you offer each other lifts over the course of the year, you’ll both save money on fuel costs.
Saving money on your car is for life, not just for lockdown. Take on the tips above and you can carrying put a few extra quid in the bank each month even once we’re back to the world of daily commutes and weekend drives.