Ten Money Saving Tips for Car Repairs

Hauling Your Car to a workshop can be daunting – from the car – speak mechanics use to the oil stains you get on your shoes – no one likes to stand around in a workshop any longer than they have to. And, of course, there’s the bill.

Here’s how you can save a little every time you take your car to the workshop. It may only be a few Ringgit each time, but it’s surprising how they add up.

1. Be prepared
An independent study in Indonesia confirmed that the top three causes of car breakdowns on the road are: Running out of petrol, tyre troubles and problems with the cooling system (overheating). All of these can be prevented by keeping your tank at least half – full as this helps preserve the cleanliness of the fuel system; making sure your tyres are in good condition and the wheels aligned properly; and keeping a large bottle of water and engine coolant in your boot. If you do not know how to add them to your engine, get a knowledgeable friend to show you.

These are normal routines that every driver should make a point to become familiar with. They’re really quite easy to follow. I estimate that they will prevent most of the vehicle breakdowns that occur

2. Be choosy
We tend to find a mechanic and stick with him forever – but there is no point in being loyal to a bad mechanic. A good way to seek out honest and hardworking mechanics is through recommendations. So look up friend with the same make and models as your car and try out their mechanics. Take your car in for a minor repair job first to see how they treat you before you decide to trust them with larger jobs.

3. Electrical or mechanical?
These two fields are about as alike as circles and squares. If a mechanic says it’s an electrical problem, don’t pressure him into trying to fix it himself. Instead, take it to an “auto electric” specialist, as they will have the tools and know – how to repair whatever is faulty. Remember: Faulty electricity coursing through your car is as dangerous as having a leaky petrol tank.

4. Be clear
Try to correctly describe your car’s problems before seeing a mechanic. Keep a notepad in your car so that you can jot down dates and details of problems as they occur. For example, “Feb 18: When I turn left, it feels like the wheels turn more slowly than when I turn right. Feb 20: Steering still seems slow.”

5. Three heads are better than one
If you have a major repair to do, get at least three quotes from different workshops in different parts of town. Mechanics in the same area are often good friends and agree to quote similar prices. Ask for the quotes to be for original and new parts, not reconditioned or imitation goods – they’re not as safe and won’t last as long. Saving won’t seem like such a good deal if your car breaks down on a lonely highway at two in the morning. Most original spare parts also come with a warranty. Do check with your service centre on the warranty period on these replacement parts.

6. Watch for the signs
Ethical workshops usually display a price list in their waiting rooms, with detailed information about how much they charge for everything from simple brake – pad changes to engine overhauls. These workshops normally stick to the recommended price list that comes from the association they belong to. Good workshops also have a price manual in the office, which they consult whenever they need a price for a part. Look out for how the mechanic gives a quote: If he stares past your shoulder when you ask him, he’s probably making it up as he goes along. So you can probably haggle for a cheaper deal! In either case, make sure you get an estimate in writing.

7. Use your warranties
If your car is still under warranty, it pays to have a look at what is covered before taking it to the workshop. If you know the part that needs to be replaced is covered, tell the mechanic so before he starts work. That way, he’ll know not to include it in your bill. But this does not include normal wear – and – tear items such as batteries, tyres and brake pads.

8. Buy the parts yourself
Workshops often charge a 20 to 30 percent premium over parts purchased at their premises, as an additional source of income. So, for minor things like batteries, oil filters and engine oil, it’s a good idea to buy them elsewhere and take them to the mechanics to be replaced. If you’re feeling brave, buy the part separately, then ask the mechanic how much it would cost just to replace it. Sometimes, they quote lower for the installation if they think you’re going to buy the part from them. When they find out you already have the part, it’s too late – they’re obligated to do it at the price they quoted. Obviously, this trick only works once or twice at the same mechanic.

9. Prevention is better than cure
A major car manufacturer found that neglect of proper routine maintenance is the number one reason for the enormous increase in car repairs. Fortunately, cars come with manuals that tell you exactly when you need to do what. So read it carefully and refresh your memory often by browsing through it. Especially important is the Warranty / Service Booklet, which includes a record of when you should take it for the next oil change, wheel alignment and other such matters.

10. Don’t get sentimental
According to statistics, the average car’s useful life is 10 years or 150,000 km. So if your car is past the 50,000 km mark, it’s time to consider selling it. A car is harder to trade in after 70,000 km or so and there comes a point when it will begin to be more trouble than it’s worth.