According to recent data, the annual cost of running a car is well over $5,000, even if you buy a cheap car. When you factor in things like the money spent on insurance, fuel, tax, and maintenance, the figures are astronomical – way out of whack of what people should be paying, frankly.
Most of this increase in the cost of motoring has to do with the government. A lot of things, like car insurance, gas, and cars themselves, have their prices inflated because of tax. And all taken together, these taxes make driving almost unaffordable.
The good news, however, is that there is a lot that you can do to bring your costs down. Here are some tips.
Don’t Skimp On Insurance
Most people think that “third party” insurance is the cheapest because it only covers the cost of the other cars on the road, not the one that you own. And while this might seem logical, since it’s covering less, it’s often not correct. The problem is that by taking out a third-party, you’re signaling to the insurer that you’re a high-risk driver. Usually, people who take out third-party cover tend to also be those people who are at higher risk of having an accident, meaning that the insurance company will increase premiums based on your product selection.
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Even if the insurance premium winds up being slightly cheaper, those on third-party deals lose out in other significant ways. One important way they lose out, for instance, is because they are paying nearly as much for significantly less cover. On a “bang for the buck basis,” these policies are bad deals. The other way they miss out is that they have no cover for things that could make them money in the case of an accident, like hiring a personal injury lawyer. Most fully comprehensive schemes come with legal cover, whereas some third-party policies don’t.
Use Hidden MOT Centers
The cost of MOTs is limited by the government, and so mechanics only usually make money by charging for repairs on top of the MOT work. If you take your car down to a regular garage that offers both MOT and repairs, the chances are you’ll end up paying a lot more than you bargained for. Your average mechanic will keenly tell you what needs replacing at a certain mileage, and will often replace things in your car that are functioning well as a “preventative measure.” It’s a good idea, therefore, to send your car to a hidden MOT center run by the council. Since they’ve usually got no equipment to repair your vehicle, they’ve got no incentive to charge you extra. That’s good news.
Don’t Buy Premium Fuels
ou can do to reduce the cost of fuels unless, of course, you’ve got a penchant for buying premium versions. In general, there’s no point buying premium fuels, unless you think you’ve got a clog in your engine that needs cleaning out. Yes, you might get higher performance, but otherwise, they’re a waste of money.
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