Dealing with your mechanic
Prevention
Conclusion
Dealing with your mechanic
A large part of saving money on your car’s repair costs will be to find a good mechanic who is trustworthy. The two primary ways to start that process will be to use word of mouth from friends and family and/or to use online reviews on sites like Google and Yelp. If you choose to go only by word of mouth and the person that referred you to a specific mechanic has a long-standing relationship with that mechanic, be sure to mention your relationship to that mechanic when you take your car in.
If you use online reviews, there will be a few things that you should look for. Do not just go by their overall rating, although their rating should be at least a three out of five. Instead, read specific reviews to see if the work that you might also be getting is mentioned in a few reviews. Also, be sure that pricing has been mentioned as fair and that there is no mention of price gouging or up-selling.
Finally, if you are already dealing with a mechanic, watch out for some warning signs that you might be paying too much. First, if you are routinely waiting over a day for more minor repairs, this might be because they are spending too much time looking for other problems that they can charge you for. Also, if they often “upsell” you on additional service, they might be overly concerned with the money they can charge you rather than the quality of service that they are providing.
Prevention
The best way to save money on car repairs is by preventing the need for them in the first place. A good and honest mechanic will possibly help, but the real issues with your vehicle will need to be fixed no matter what happens. This will start with getting your car serviced regularly and never ignoring your check engine light or other warning lights on the dashboard. Waiting a bit longer to do something like getting your oil changed may not seem like a big deal but over time this can lead to bigger issues with your engine that will cost you much more in terms of the repairs.
This might seem obvious, but it warrants being mentioned for some drivers out there. Drive safely and cautiously. Some of the most expensive car repairs are due to easily preventable accidents. However, even if you drive aggressively without getting into an accident, this driving style will take its toll on your car as well as its parts and will cost you more money over time. For example, if you are constantly slamming on your breaks due to driving too fast, your brake pads will wear out much more quickly and you will need to get them replaced much more frequently.
Conclusion
More often than not, a car repair will cost what it costs, and you will need to pay in order to continue driving that vehicle safely and legally. However, taking your car to a good yet honest mechanic can help you save on the repair costs. Preventing the need for repairs by driving safely and cautiously will go even further in terms of saving you money on potential costly repairs for your vehicle.
