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Find a Car Dealer or Car Dealers in Essex Car Dealer and Car Dealers based in Basildon, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester,
Epping, Halstead, Harlow, Harwich, Ilford, Maldon, Romford, Southend, Braintree and Brentwood. |
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Tips for Cheaper Motoring
Buying and running a car is an expensive business, but costs can be kept to a minimum
by using this easy-to-follow guide.
Don’t be impulsive
Shop around for everything – from the car and the maintenance, to insurance and
petrol.
Lease your car
This method, popular in the USA, makes it easier to afford a new or nearly new car
direct from the manufacturer. It also means you can regularly renew your vehicle
without a significant cash outlay or signing up to interest-heavy financing agreements.
Several car-lease schemes are available from companies including Ford (http://www.ford.co.uk)
and Vauxhall (http://www.vauxhall.co.uk), all of whom offer leases on a number of
models of vehicle.
Pay cash
This may prove impossible, especially if you’re buying a brand new motor. The next
best thing is a personal loan from your bank or building society, which will provide
enough cash to pay the dealer upfront and in full. Such loans are unsecured – meaning
you don’t have to provide security such as your house – and rates are competitive.
Avoid dealer finance packages
These and hire purchase (HP) agreements are often the most expensive ways of paying
for a car and ought to be considered only when cheaper options have been exhausted.
Keep your insurance premiums low
Prove that your vehicle is secure - either parked off-road or, even better, in a
locked garage. Limit the number of people insured to drive your car and avoid adding
additional drivers, particularly if they are young or have a history of motoring
offences.
Drive within the law
If you’re caught speeding or driving without due care and attention, you’ll not
only face a fine, but you may also receive points on your licence that will increase
your insurance premium – possibly by several hundred pounds.
Dispute parking tickets
It is a myth that your fine might be increased if you lodge a complaint. This is
true only if you don’t dispute a penalty and are then late paying it. The worst
that can happen if you dispute a ticket is that you end up having to pay the original
fine. And the best? You may not have to pay a penny. You could win your case, or
your local authority might fail to acknowledge receipt of your objection within
56 days – in which case your ticket will be automatically invalidated.
Use an independent mechanic
The motor dealer from whom you bought your car might have the swankiest garage,
but is unlikely to have the best value for servicing and repairs. There are dozens
of independent car repair shops and MoT test centres in your area – just look at
Yell (http://www.yell.com) – and most of them will charge less for labour and parts.
Make sure you’re not buying a banger
For as little as £34.99, the AA (http://www.theaa.com) will give a second-hand car
a serious once-over before you buy it, checking such things as mileage information,
outstanding finance, and whether the car is recorded as stolen or has been written
off. The service is open to AA members and non-members. The RAC (www.rac.co.uk)
provides a similar service.
Take care of your car
Cleaning and routine maintenance will not only save money, but will also add years
to the life of your vehicle. Wash the bodywork regularly to remove corrosive dirt
and help prevent rust. To keep your car running smoothly, check the tyre pressure
and levels of oil and water. These and many other tasks, such as cleaning plugs
and points, are easy to learn – with help from such websites as the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/motoring)
- and simple to perform, meaning you won’t have to pay a mechanic to do them.
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