There’s never a great time for a car bill. One month you’re paying for a school trip or birthday, and the next your car needs attention. When money’s tight, it’s tempting to put a service off until next month.
Leaving routine checks too long can sometimes turn a small job into an expensive repair.
If you’re looking for a car service, the following advice from Dexel Tyre & Auto Centre can help drivers stay ahead of routine maintenance.
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Claim sign-up bonusHere are the garage’s practical tips for keeping servicing costs manageable when you’re on a budget.
Check when your car actually needs a service
Before spending anything, check how often your car needs servicing. It’s easy to assume every car is the same, but it depends on the make, model and how far you drive.
Many cars need a service every 12 months or around 10,000 to 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Some need attention sooner, while others can go longer.
Booking more often than necessary could waste money. Leave it too long, though, and you risk missing problems that could become costly.
Check the manufacturer’s service schedule in your handbook rather than guessing.
Know the difference between an interim and full service
A full service covers more checks and will usually cost more. An interim service is a smaller check, often including an oil and filter change along with checks of important parts.
It’s commonly offered between full services, especially if you drive a lot.
An interim service can help you stay on top of wear and tear without paying for a full service every time. But it shouldn’t replace a full service when your car is due one. Check what’s included and what your car actually needs.
Put servicing into your monthly budget
A car service can feel like a surprise bill, but it’s usually something you can plan for. You can find out roughly when it’s due and ask for an idea of the cost beforehand.
For example, if you expect to spend £240 on servicing over the next year, putting aside £20 a month would cover it. Y
ou could keep the money in a separate savings pot so it doesn’t get spent on something else. Even a smaller amount each month will help.
If you want a simple way to save for these planned costs, see our guide to starting a sinking fund.
Get a quote and compare what’s included
Prices can vary between garages, so ask for a clear quote before booking.
Find out whether it includes an oil and filter change, fluid top-ups and checks of the brakes and tyres. That way, you’re comparing what you actually get, not just the price.
Some garages offer monthly service plans too. These can make it easier to spread the cost, but check the total you’ll pay, what’s covered and any cancellation terms before signing up.
Don’t put off a service just to save money today
If your car seems to be running fine, it’s easy to think a service can wait.
But worn brake pads, old oil or a filter that needs changing won’t always be obvious. Regular checks can help spot problems before they turn into bigger jobs.
A timing belt is a good example of why following your car’s maintenance schedule matters. It usually needs replacing as a separate job at the interval set by the manufacturer.
Leave it too long and a failure could cause serious engine damage. A service can’t prevent every repair, but keeping up with scheduled maintenance helps reduce the risk.
Use your service to plan what’s coming next
A useful part of having your car serviced is finding out what might need attention later.
A good mechanic should tell you about any wear and tear they’ve spotted, and explain what needs doing now and what can wait.
Ask for an estimate and an idea of when the work might be needed. If you know your tyres or brakes may need replacing in a few months, you’ve got time to start saving instead of being caught out by another bill.
For bills you couldn’t plan for, you could also look at building an emergency fund.
The advice from Dexel Tyre & Auto Centre is to plan ahead rather than wait for something to go wrong.
Check your service schedule, find out what you’re paying for and put aside what you can each month. You won’t avoid every car bill, but you can make the ones you know are coming easier to manage.
