Estimates: Tips, Tricks and One Big Consideration

Estimates: Tips, Tricks and One Big Consideration

It is no surprise that owning and maintaining and car isn’t cheap. Cars can be pricey to maintain, from factory scheduled maintenance and tire replacements to fuel and car washes. And if something goes wrong with a car, the thought of going to a repair shop and getting estimates sends shivers up most people’s spines.

Yet the cost of not maintaining your car is far more than taking care of the small things as they come up.

The main trick for dealing with estimates is simple: AVOID THEM!

Invest in Regular Maintenance

We often persuade ourselves into skipping routine car care: Put off an oil change, ignore a squeaky brake and ignore any spark plug issues.

Studies have shown that ignoring these issues and trying to cut corners has a far greater financial impact. Putting accidents (and the financial and physical toll that they can cause) aside, avoiding regular maintenance can reduce your car’s lifespan by as much as 25%.

“If you don’t maintain your car, you’re taking a vehicle that might have been driven for 200,000 miles over its life, and you’re knocking it down to maybe 150,000 miles,” says Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com.

Below is a graph that shows what the average maintenance cost of certain repairs tend to be and what the cost of skipping these repairs may cost you down the road:

Source: Bankrate.com

By performing the small, necessary repairs like tire rotations, alignments and brake maintenance you will simply see far fewer estimates. Don’t be tempted into thinking that saving a few bucks here and there will help you down the road. Set up a regular maintenance schedule with your mechanic.

BBack Car Care Tip: BBack Car Care treats our customers like a neighbor, because you are. Click here to read our shop’s Code of Ethics on vehicle estimates.

Research Maintenance Costs Before You Buy

Maintenance costs are not the same from car to car. When shopping for a car, maintenance (or cost of ownership) should be an important consideration.

Luxury cars, such as Mercedes, BMW and so on simply cost more to maintain. As an example, the oil filter that is required to be replaced after every oil change can be up to 4 times what it would cost of replace the filter of a more mainstream car, such as a Chevrolet, Ford or Toyota. Similarly, bigger engines, such as a super duty truck or van, might take more oil than a standard oil change is often advertised for (usually 5 quarts.)

Additionally, replacement parts are harder and more expensive to source for some vehicles than others (and take longer to get too.)

Consider The Age Of Your Car

Older cars can be more trouble than they’re worth to keep on the road – and more expensive as well. You should check the Kelly Blue Book value of your car and see what your car is worth and if it is wise to put money into repairs or getting another car where maintenance is less of an issue. If you are constantly going into your repair shop, it might be time to consider your options. (And a good mechanic should explain that to you.)

Financing and Planning for the Cost of Maintenance and Repairs

Often times, we put off regular maintenance because we simply don’t have a choice. If money is tight, go to your mechanic and get a free estimate. A good mechanic will be able to explain any issues with your car, discuss any priorities and work with you on ensuring that your vehicle is safe to drive.

At BBack Car Care, we pride ourselves on the level of customer service we provide. If finances are tight, bring your car in and we will go over your options. We offer free loaner cars so you can get to work while your car is being worked on and offer financing as well.

Schedule an appointment online and see our free and comprehensive estimate process in action.