Keeping a car on the road can be an expensive thing. Not only do motorists need to worry about the cost of the vehicle itself, but all of the additional costs that come with keeping it working. You’ll pay for fuel, insurance, maintenance and taxation, as well as the annual MOT. For the average motorist, this amounts to a total annual bill of more than £3,000.
But exactly how can we drive down this figure, and slash the cost imposed by our cars?
Haggle with your insurance provider
Is your insurance premium more than it really should be? You can often drive down the cost by switching to a new provider. Or, you can simply get an offer from a new provider, and then use that to negotiate a discount with your existing one. Make sure that you’re factoring in your no-claims bonus when you use any price comparison sites. If your existing provider won’t match the new offer, then simply tell them that you’re cancelling. They might suddenly decide to be more generous.
Swap your vehicle
Certain vehicles are cheaper to run than others. You might think about the fuel economy, the reliability of the vehicle, or how expensive the insurance premiums are. Reliability might be especially important if you’re using the car to earn a living. After all, if you can’t get to work, then it’s not just the cost of the repairs that you’ll need to worry about – it’s the extra hassle and stress that might be caused by you being without a car.
So, which brands tend to be the cheapest to run? You might look at the Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo X, Skoda Fabia, or Hyundai Kona Electric. It’s often a good idea to consult reliability surveys, too. These will tend to give you a good idea of what’s likely to break down, and what isn’t. This is especially worthwhile if you’re shopping for used cars.
Improve your driving style
Your driving style will determine not only how much you spend on fuel, but how much you ultimately spend on repairs. After all, stressing the brakes, tyres and engine will cause greater wear and tear. A more cost-effective driving style will typically involve driving smoothly, using cruise control, and switching off the engine when you’re idling in traffic.
Look after your vehicle
Maintenance should be an ongoing concern for money-conscious motorists. Make sure that your tyres are regularly inflated, and that your oil levels are regularly topped up. These basic steps will help to protect your car and ultimately make it cheaper in the long term.
