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Cars rarely help people make money – in fact, their value begins to diminish as soon as they are purchased and removed from the market. Typically, cars cost people more money through gas, insurance and, of course, maintenance and repairs. However, many people waste hundreds of dollars every year on cars they don’t need or can avoid.
GOBankingRates got the opinions of a mechanic and an auto expert on four common ways people waste hundreds of dollars on car repairs every year.
Ignoring normal tuneup
“Lack of periodic maintenance and driving without getting it checked for problems can do more harm than good,” says Ralph Robert, car expert at Way.com. “Periodic maintenance costs anywhere from $600 to $800 per year. When you neglect periodic maintenance, you risk wear and tear and partial or complete failure of your car. With periodic maintenance, your mechanic can identify problems and fix them.”
“These minor repairs typically cost only $46 to $66 per month, depending on the year, make, model and use of the car,” said owner Alan Gelfand. German Car DepotAn auto repair shop. “This is relatively inexpensive, but some car owners neglect to follow their regular schedule. If neglect causes a major engine component to fail, skipping these routine maintenance or oil changes can cost more than $3000.
“This kind of neglect can lead to long-term problems like engine sludge,” Gelfand said. “Avoid such damage by following your car’s maintenance schedule and using high-quality oil with timely filter changes. These steps will help extend the life and performance of your car’s engine.”
“For example, a running motor quickly begins to show signs of failure, which can be easily repaired,” explains Robert. “By waiting until the starter motor completely fails, you’re looking at spending up to $1,100 to get it fixed. The same goes for transmission problems, which you can get fixed at cheaper rates if you get it fixed before complete transmission failure. If you wait until the transmission fails, you could be looking at spending between $2,900 to $7,000 to get it fixed.”
Not checking tire pressure
“Checking tire pressure and recharging or filling up on gas on time are all little things that work collectively to get the best performance,” said Robert. “Keeping an eye on your check engine light or warnings like low tire pressure will ensure that your car will always be on speed and in good condition.
“Ignoring simple things like low tire pressure can lead to more wear and tear on your brake rotors, pads and suspension system. It will also put more stress on the transmission and tires, resulting in higher fuel consumption,” he said.
Non-specialized mechanics or aftermarket parts
According to Gelfan, for people who drive luxury or exotic cars, using non-specialized mechanics or aftermarket parts can be a huge waste of money.
“You may think you’re saving money here, but an improper repair could actually cost you more than $2,000 in subsequent repairs,” Gelfand said.
For example, he described how German cars are built with specific engineering requirements that require mechanics with specialized knowledge.
“Choosing to go with non-specialized mechanics may result in shoddy work or the use of generic parts that don’t meet standards,” Gelfand explained.
“This mistake is quite easy to avoid,” he said. “Although it costs a little more, all you have to do is find an auto repair shop that has factory-trained Bosch and ASE-certified specialists who use original equipment manufacturer parts. Doing so will prevent damage to your car’s performance and may reduce future costs.”
driver-related fines
“The fines for driving without car insurance vary from state to state, ranging from $100 to $5,000,” Roberts said. “Some states will also suspend your driver’s license registration and you may be sentenced to probation or community service.
“Driving with an expired registration plate or sticker will result in a fine of $40 to $500 (or) more,” Roberts said. “Your car may also get impounded, which will again cost you more money to get it released from the impound yard.”