Car Repair Costs On A Tight Budget

At some point in our lives, we have all fallen on hard times financially. This limits our ability to properly maintain and repair our big ticket items like vehicles. Our cars are an important asset and should be well cared for to remain in top running condition. Unfortunately, life throws curve balls and the money to fix the car properly may just not be available right now.

Car repair costs can greatly exceed our financial budget even when money isn’t tight. If you can save some money, it’s always smart to create an emergency savings account that would cover the cost of sudden car repair bills. But what happens if you don’t have any wiggle room in your budget and you haven’t been able to build up your savings account? Believe it or not, there are options.

DIY Auto Repair Can Save A Lot Of Money

If you’ve worked on your own vehicles before or are even a little handy, you can save yourself quite a bit of money by repairing your own car. With just a quick online search, there are tutorials to repair almost any make and model. You’ll even find how-to videos to maintenance that same car, truck or SUV, which may help prevent future breakdowns.

For even deeper savings on your Do-It-Yourself car repairs, shop around for quality used auto parts. Often, salvage yards have OEM auto parts which will fit your car correctly and not void any manufacturer or aftermarket warranties, should you have one. Many salvage yards offer warranties are car parts they sell which will protect you if the part you buy is defective.

Barter With Someone With Mechanical Skills

Maybe you have a neighbor or a friend who is mechanically inclined and works on cars as a hobby or for a living. You can’t expect them to give up a few hours of their time to fix your car but you can certainly offer them a deal. In exchange for something of value, they work on your car. The arrangement is up to you; a trade for something you already own or a much needed service you offer. If the bartering arrangement works out well, next time you’re in need of a tune-up or car repair, you’ll have a mechanic nearby to call.

Get Several Car Repair Estimates

Shop around. You’re more likely to get a better price on repairs if you get quotes from several different mechanic shops. Let the shops know you are shopping around for the best price. Ask if there are any discounts or payment plans that could help you pay off your car repair bill. Most shops accept credit cards so that may be an option for paying your bill. They may even offer to bill your credit card in monthly installments rather than accepting one lump sum. Try to negotiate an arrangement that works for both you and the shop.

Some shops will let you bring in your own parts to save money. Find out if that is a possibility as well. You can always pick up affordable quality used parts from a local salvage yard and get your car repaired while keeping your repair costs as low as possible.

Get A Personal Loan For Car Repairs

Banks usually offer small personal loans to their customers which are perfect for car repairs. If you have time, shop around for the best deal to avoid a high interest rate. If you don’t have a credit card and secure a loan, ask a family member or friend who trusts you for a personal loan until you get back on your feet. This shouldn’t be your first solution when you’re in a tight spot financially but if you’ve exhausted all other options and still need to get your car fixed, asking for help may be your only choice.

Save On Car Repairs With Used Auto Parts From A Trusted Salvage Yard

For over 50 years, Gardner Auto Parts has been helping their local community in Broward county save money on car repairs. They sell quality used auto parts including engines, transmissions and body panels for most makes and models of foreign and import vehicles. Each used car part they sell is backed by a 90-day warranty.

Before you buy new car parts, give their friendly, knowledgeable staff a call at 954-972-9407. They are ready to help you find what you need to get your car back on the road quickly. If you’re in the area, stop by their junkyard and auto parts store at 2090 NW 21st Street in Pompano Beach, Florida, just south of Copans Road on the east side of the road.