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On average, the American family spends $993.00 per year to service their vehicles and keep them humming along. That can be pretty pricey and out of reach for many households.
Nothing can drain your emergency fund faster than car repairs. And if you don’t have an emergency fund, you’ll end up financing those significant repairs on a credit card.
There are some great resources out there that can significantly reduce your car repair bill just because they arm you with the knowledge to have an educated conversation with a car repair technician. No more blank stares, no more wondering if you just got ripped off.
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How You Save Big On Car Repairs
Folks are trying to squeeze as much life as possible out of their cars. The average car on the road is 11 years old and counting.
The two biggest obstacles to finding the best deal?
A trusted mechanic and reasonable prices.
A trusted mechanic is hard to find. I remember when I finally saw my mechanic Mike. He came recommend by a friend and knew he was the real deal the day he told me how to save $900 by having him reset my engine light, drive around for around 50 miles and then go and get my inspection sticker.
Other mechanics would have done the $900 job and gladly taken my money.
Mike is also wonderful on the price front too. When warranted, he will always look for parts at the junkyard as opposed to buying something new.
But what if you don’t have a mechanic like Mike? How do you know if the car repair is warranted and if the price is reasonable for the repair?
Read: Need Help Paying Off Those Credit Card Bills?
The Best Tips For Saving Big On Car Repairs
1. Know The Going Rate
A new free app called Repair Pal will help you find the best deal and the going rate on all kinds of repairs for your car. It tells you the name and location and finds the best deal for the repair you need.
When using the Repair Pal, you’ll instantly see the range of prices that auto shops are charging for simple things like an oil change, all the way up to something like an air conditioner compressor.
Using the internet and these budget friendly apps will help to save you money and time too. You won’t waste time calling around trying to find the best deal for your repair.
Read: Commonly Forgotten Budget Expenses You’ll Want To Include
2. Skip The Auto Shop
If you’re comfortable with someone coming to your home, consider dumping the auto shop altogether and use Your Mechanic.
They send a qualified and fully trained auto mechanic directly to your door to do your repairs. This option saves you the hassle of going to the auto shop and waiting around all day for the repairs to be done.
Read: 23 Must Haves In Your Winter Weather Emergency Car Kit
3. Be Informed
Don’t know what the check engine light means? How about that blinking light on your dashboard with some crazy icon you can’t seem to figure out?
Find out with simple plug-in devices.
Scan tools are an excellent way to save money particularly if have a check engine light issue. It tells you what’s wrong with your car so that when you do go to the auto mechanic you’ll know instantly if they are telling you the truth, giving you the best price or just taking yours for a ride. You can also go to a car parts store like AutoZone and ask them to do a free scan for you.
When you put all three of these tools together, you could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on auto repairs.
Armed with knowledge, you’ll be able to make the best decision for both your time and wallet.
Don’t get taken for a ride, use these resources and save.
I’m a professional cleaner with over 13 years of hands-on experience cleaning homes, a published writer, certified money specialist, and the founder of A Mess Free Life. After paying off over $50,000 in debt, I dedicated myself to helping others master their homes and their money — proving that a clean, organized, stress-free life is possible no matter where you’re starting from. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me cooking, playing bocce, sipping an extra dirty martini, or enjoying the ocean with my cats nearby. I’m also a proud mom and grandma who cares deeply for my mother at home.
