For many people, driving is an essential part of their life. Keeping a car on the road can also be hugely expensive when you consider the cost of a vehicle, the (rising) cost of fuel, insurance, road tax, and maintenance. This can make it challenging to afford each month, especially at a time when everything seems to be getting more expensive. The good news is that there are always ways to make driving more affordable and this post will look at a few of the best financial tips for motorists that should prove to be useful. So, if you are struggling to afford your driving costs or simply want to free up some cash, you should read on.
Choose a Fuel-Efficient Car
First, you need to consider the type of car that you drive. Ideally, this will be something with high MPG so that you do not have to fill up the tank as often – this is particularly helpful with the cost of fuel being so high right now. Of course, an electric car is a great option that allows you to make long-term savings, but it can be expensive upfront.
Shop in the Used Car Market
When looking for a new car, it makes a lot more sense to buy a second-hand vehicle. This is because it is cheaper, you get more for your money, you can avoid depreciation, and used cars will be cheaper to insure. You will want to make sure that you are buying from a trusted seller, though, so you should search for dealers in your area, such as Burton car dealers.
Do Your Own Maintenance
Motorists can also make savings on their maintenance costs by doing their own basic maintenance at home. In addition to saving you the cost of taking the car to the garage, this should also prolong the life of your car and keep it in a healthy condition. A few basic tasks you can do yourself include topping up the tires, changing spark plugs, replacing the engine oil, and replacing the air filter.
Lower Your Car Insurance
Car insurance is a major cost to cover, but also one that is essential. Fortunately, there are always ways to make savings on your car insurance. A few of the best ways to do this include:
- Shopping around to find the best deals
- Increasing your excess
- Driving a lower-powered vehicle
- Taking a defensive driving course
- Adding safety and security features to your vehicle
- Lowering your annual mileage
Hopefully, these financial tips will have proven to be useful and help you to make driving more affordable. Many motorists are struggling right now with the rising cost of fuel along with everything else, but there are always steps that you can take to save money on your driving costs that could make a big difference to your budget while still allowing you to get behind the wheel and drive whenever you need to.