The running costs of a car can be an unwelcome expensive. Although many of these individual costs may not seem that costly, it soon adds up. With car insurance, road tax, fuel, servicing and more, you can be left with a pretty pricey bill.
At the Car Loan Warehouse, we want to help you keep your expenses low – so in today’s post, we’re bringing you some handy hints on how to cut car running costs and save yourself some serious cash.
Compare Car Insurance Costs
The annual cost of insurance can make drivers wince, but you can still make savings if you shop around. Price comparison websites are a great way to get a gauge on car insurance costs, allowing you to find the best deal and price match with insurance companies that don’t feature on these sites.
For extra savings, compare the prices for third party fire and theft against fully comprehensive policies. Those who opt for fully comp are perceived as being more responsible, so get a bigger saving is almost guaranteed.
Cutting Car Insurance Costs For Young Drivers
Unfortunately young drivers are subject to some of the highest premiums around, but you can dramatically reduce the cost of your policy if you drive with a dash cam or install a telematics box. Often known as BlackBox policies, these allow insurers to assess how well you drive, and price your premium more fairly.
Smart Apps Could Save You Money
Over the course of the year, filling up your car can amount to a hefty sum, but shopping around for the cheapest fuel can make a huge difference. Using smartphone apps like Petrol Prices Pro or WhatGas will help you locate the cheapest places for fuel in your area. And if you take advantage of loyalty cards at the petrol pump, you can save a pretty penny there, too.
Change Your Driving Style
Another way to reduce your fuel costs is to use less. Slight changes in your driving style, such as not accelerating and decelerating excessively, can have a significant impact on the amount of fuel you use. While it’s tempting to use your car for almost all journeys, consider walking shorter distances – leaving your engine turned off and keeping your fuel tank topped up for longer.
Keep Your Car Maintained
Keeping your car regularly serviced should keep running costs down and many manufacturers provide service plans for both new and used cars. Although the initial payout might seem steep, you’ll reap the savings benefits in the long run.
Be sure to shop around before deciding on a dealership or an independent garage, as labour costs can vary widely and you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best equipment and service for your cash.
By getting a pre-test at a council run test centre, you can also save money on your annual MOT. This means you can fix any minor problems before the MOT, so you’re not hit with unexpected fees and don’t have to fork out for a re-test.
As a driver, the cost of running a car can be off-putting, particularly when you’re trying to find the perfect set of wheels – but that’s where we can help. At the Car Loan Warehouse, we don’t think money should stand in the way of you driving off in your dream car. To find out more about what we can do for you, apply now for car finance – or alternatively, head over to our online car finance calculator for a quick quote today.
