ON THE COVER Money Talk
As most of us aren’t experts in the nuts and bolts of car mechanics, it can be costly if your car starts coughing and spluttering. I’m lucky enough to know a great local mechanic and if he says something needs doing, it really does! But if money’s tight, you can get your car fixed without paying over the odds.
First up, you don’t need to fit the manufacturer’s own parts. A bit like buying Heinz beans or supermarket own brand, you can pay top dollar for brand name parts or tyres, but there are cheaper versions out there.
You can get reconditioned or discounted parts on eBay. However unless you know what you’re doing, this can be tricky. Some garages will fit them but others won’t – as they can’t guarantee the part – so check first.
There’s no law to say you must have your car serviced but it does keep your car running efficiently and can be an early warning of potential problems. The usual recommendation is once a year or every 12,000 miles.
Flash garages with posh coffee machines and glossy mags may look good, and do a good job, but you pay much more than local independent ones.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can rely on your breakdown company for a round-the-clock mechanic service. If you’re a member, the AA and RAC can fix some problems at the roadside, but you’ll pay for parts and small print means they won’t fix recurrent faults.
✦ IF YOUR CAR FAILS ITS MOT AND YOU THINK THE GARAGE IS TRYING IT ON, YOU
CAN GET A SECOND OPINION. CHECK WWW.GOV.UK FOR DETAILS. ✦ SAVE £30 AN HOUR ON LABOUR COSTS OPTING FOR AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE
OVER A FRANCHISED DEALER, ACCORDING TO THE MONEY ADVICE SERVICE. ✦ SOME GARAGES OFFER A “FREE” COURTESY CAR BUT INSIST YOU TAKE THEIR INSURANCE, EVEN IF YOU’RE COVERED BY YOUR OWN POLICY, SO WATCH OUT FOR THIS.