How To Reduce The Running Costs Of Your Car

With many of us looking to save money right now as the cost of living increases, one of the first expenses we turn to is our cars. From maintenance to keeping them safe and legal, the amount your car can cost you can easily mount up. The reality of car ownership is that, whatever set of wheels you have, they’re always going to cost you something to run, but there are some practical ways in which you can keep those costs down. At West Motors, we’re exploring some of them below - read on to find out more.  

Shop around for insurance

It’s no big secret that it’s wise to shop around, and it really is worth it when it comes to shaving money off of your insurance premiums. 

Online comparison sites can do a lot of the hard work for you - simply enter your details, and it will collate insurance quotes from many different providers, showing you the cheapest. Don’t forget, though, that some well-known providers aren’t on price comparison sites, so check on their websites individually. 

Even if you’re happy with your provider, the quotes generated can give you some leverage with which to negotiate and get some money off your renewal quote. 

Keep up with your car’s maintenance 

Servicing may feel like a big annual expense, but it’s not as big as the repair cost might be if you skip this important part of maintaining your car. Regular servicing reduces the chance of malfunction when you’re out and about, which could be inconvenient as well as expensive! 

Don’t get caught out with parking tickets

We all know that awful feeling when you’ve been issued a parking ticket, whether you knew you were flouting the rules or not. Be mindful of the rules around where you park your car, especially if you live within a restricted area. Parking tickets are an unnecessary expense! 

Drive smartly 

Fuel consumption is one of the hottest money-saving topics right now, with the price of petrol and diesel having shot up in recent months. Shopping around for fuel is one way you can try to save a bit of money, but also consider the way that you drive. It can have a direct impact on the rate at which your car burns through fuel; here are a few of the changes you can make to your driving style to maximise the amount in your tank: 

• Keep your tyres inflated to reduce drag, which uses more fuel 
• Plan your route to keep those wasteful wrong-turns at a minimum 
• Avoid leaving your engine running - idling while you’re waiting uses up fuel 
• Keep your car clutter-free, as a heavier car increases fuel consumption
• Turn off the air conditioning if you can; extra petrol or diesel is used to power it 
• Get into high gear as soon as it’s appropriate to do so - it’s a more economical way of driving 
• Steady acceleration and gentle breaking mean less work for your car to do, saving fuel in the process 

Looking for an affordable used car?

If you’re in the market for your next car but you’re curious about how it could be made more affordable, why not consider a high-quality used car from West Motors? We have a wide range of makes and models available from our Uxbridge dealership, and we’re ready and waiting to match you with the perfect set of wheels. We offer finance too, to spread the cost. Browse our selection online today.