Automotive FAQs
How can I find the cheapest car insurance?
Use price comparison sites like Go Compare, MoneySupermarket and Compare the Market to explore all policies available to you and find out which is cheapest. Remember to factor in any extra perks or benefits and go with the best overall deal.
What’s the easiest way to keep car costs down?
Some quick wins to keep costs as low as possible include using apps to find free parking, joining a car pool club, finding cheaper fuel, doing regular checks and turning off the air conditioning.
Where can I find the best tyre deals?
Check out brands like ATS Euromaster, Tyres on the Drive, Protyre, Kwikfit and etyres for heaps of deals and discounts on all types of tyres. Remember to stick to trusted brands when shopping for tyres.
How to save money on car and vehicle costs
Buying a car
Buying and running a car can end up being one of life’s biggest expenses. When you’re looking to buy a car, there are ways to cut costs - consider buying second hand which is much cheaper than buying a brand new vehicle. Trusted sites like Auto Trader are a great place to find used cars in your local area. See if you can use your old car for trade-in discounts too.
Plus, going second hand gives you a better chance of haggling and bringing the price down even further. If you do choose to buy brand new, pay upfront if you can. While finance options may seem appealing, you’ll often end up paying more over time. Check the terms and conditions as well as interest rates beforehand if you do choose the finance route.
Vehicle insurance deals
Like road tax, vehicle insurance is one of those things we just have to suck up and pay. But there are ways to get a good deal and bring the price down. First off, use a price comparison site like MoneySupermarket to find the cheapest deals. If you find a cheaper deal somewhere else, your current provider may be able to match it or even give you a better deal - it’s definitely worth doing your homework here.
Look out for extra benefits like low mile discounts or consider a black box policy to significantly reduce costs if you’re a new driver. Providers tend to offer bundle discounts if you package in your home and other insurance policies too.
Vehicle maintenance deals
Keeping your vehicle running like clockwork is not only crucial for safety, but is also easier on the finances too. Regular maintenance and trips to the garage can ward off potential huge payouts if anything goes wrong.
Places like KwikFit and ATS Euromaster are trusted garages and have regular deals on vehicle checks at MOTs. If you need spare parts, consider buying these yourself from platforms like Euro Car Parts, Demon Tweeks or GSF Car Parts. It may be cheaper to buy and get them fitted separately than relying on your MOT garage - do your research to find out which is best value.
Car accessories and gadgets deals
Car gadgets like sat navs and bluetooth tech are incredibly commonplace these days, making our lives easier when we get behind the wheel. Motoring superstore Halfords and tech giant Currys often have discounts across in-car technology like dash cams, sat navs, audio equipment, reversing cameras and more. Check out current offers and discount codes to see what deals are up for grabs before you shop, and shop around on brands to make sure you’re getting the best price for your car accessories.
Easy ways to cut your travel costs
Record high inflation means that everything is getting more expensive, and travel is no exception. Whether you regularly commute or you’re finally planning a holiday abroad this year, there are plenty of ways to cut travel costs and save money, as we explain.
10 money saving tips to help you save during the cost of living crisis
Household budgets are being squeezed from every direction thanks to rising energy bills, record high fuel prices and soaring inflation. As a result, it’s more important than ever to find ways to manage your money more effectively, slash bills and save cash.
About Automotive
Being a car owner isn’t cheap. Whether you use your vehicle as a runaround on weekends or drive miles every day for work, prices of insurance and petrol - not to mention the vehicle itself - can soon stack up. The good news is that it’s possible to save money on every aspect of owning a car. From little weekly savings on fuel to bigger savings on car care and maintenance, keeping costs of running a motor down is easier than you might think.
Our top tip for avoiding hefty fees is to make sure your car is running in tip top condition all year round. This way, you’ll be less likely to come across big bills or fines you weren’t expecting. It’s a good idea to invest in quality over cheap fixes when it comes to vehicles - not only to save money down the line but also for your own safety. Another easy way to bring costs down is by seeing what deals and discounts you can get your hands on. Whether your car’s due an MOT or you just need some new wiper blades, our motoring deals are here to help you save big.
By Stephanos Charalambous, your Automotive Money Saving Editor
Last checked about 16 hours ago
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Automotive Tips
- Do regular checks of tyre pressure, oil and antifreeze levels, coolant, steering fluid, lights and brakes. Not only will this ensure you’re driving safely, but it could ward off hefty payouts in future too. Places like Halfords offer free checks - just check in at your local store.
- Surprisingly, fully comp insurance is usually better value than the other options, as well as covering you from any type of event. Even if it is a little pricier, it’s worth paying a little extra upfront to avoid anything worse if you end up in trouble.
- Haggle, haggle, haggle. Insurance companies are known to bring prices down if you haggle. If you’ve been a loyal customer, see if you’re entitled to any discounts or deals, or let them know if you’ve seen a cheaper rate elsewhere and they may be able to match it.
- Invest in breakdown cover. This will make sure help is at hand if you find yourself broken down on the side of the road. It’ll also make sure you’re referred to a specialist to carry out any urgent repairs that led you to the breakdown in the first place. Pay a little extra to save big in the future.
- Hunt around for the cheapest petrol - you’d be surprised at how much prices differ even at garages in the same area. While it might not seem like much of a saving, every little helps and you’ll have saved hundreds before you know it.
- Go for economical tyres. That doesn’t exactly mean the cheapest - economical tyres, or fuel efficient tyres, are designed to use less fuel while not wearing down the tread. These types of tyres also reduce excess carbon dioxide emissions, so they’re the best option for the planet too.
- Got an MOT test coming up? Checking for obvious things yourself before heading to the garage could potentially save you big cash. If it’s something relatively small like a brake light out, see if you can make these fixes yourself for less.
- Consider carpooling if you use your car daily. Sharing driving responsibilities with another person can slash your car costs and is also better for the environment too. See if someone you work with or a family member is game and away you go!
- Road tax is one of those costs that we just have to suck up and pay. However, if you can afford the upfront payment, choosing to pay annually instead of monthly is an easy way of getting the best rate.
- Use price comparison sites when looking for car insurance to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal. While it might be tempting to stick with your current provider out of ease, you can probably get a cheaper deal elsewhere. Sites like MoneySupermarket and Confused.com are a great place to start - plus some even offer freebies and added perks for switching.
- And lastly? Drive responsibly! Cut down the risk of potential speeding fines, payouts or repairs by sticking to the rules and keeping yourself and everyone else on the road safe.