Car Maintenance Tips

One of the easiest ways of helping to avoid major repair costs is through a regular program of general vehicle maintenance. An early diagnosis of a problem is almost always less expensive than waiting until it is too late. For example, replacing brake pads is a lot cheaper than having to replace both pads and rotors because the low pads have torn into the rotors. Beware, though. As expensive as it may be to under-maintain a car (“pay me now or pay me later”), it can be just as expensive to over-maintain a car. For dealerships and repair shops alike, “maintenance programs” are a BIG profit generator. A £300 maintenance service may have a cost to the service facility of well under half that amount.

Deal with established service facilities–you will most likely have more recourse should something go wrong.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule–it generally will be less extensive (and expensive) than programs recommended by the service facility. By following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you will protect your factory warranty coverage.

Consider joining a full service auto club. Keep records of all maintenance (dates, mileage and amount paid). It could save you aggravation should you have a dispute with the manufacturer over a covered warranty repair.