Just like people who require vitamins and regular check-ups to stay healthy, vehicles also need regular repair and maintenance to run properly. The repair costs depend on the make and model of the car.
It is essential to schedule these check-ups and repairs with auto repair shops and certified technicians to get the car serviced and diagnosed if there are any problems.
Keep in mind, before choosing a repair shop to handle the maintenance and repair of the car to check other shops for price and feedback from their customers.
When you decide on a certain motor repair shop, be prepared for the different procedures and steps needed to be done when problems are found upon check up. Here are some of these procedures and automotive repair costs:
Oil Change
This must be done on schedule, if you are unaware of the oil change requirements, check the owner’s manual since manufacturers usually print the timescales there. Oil changes are usually done every twelve to eighteen months. The miles can also be used as a basis for oil change, the common oil change schedule for this basis is every 12,000 to 18,000 miles.
For modern models, a warning system is available telling the owner that the oil needs to be changed. The cost of an oil change starts at £30 and above, this depends on the type of vehicle. For more expensive, specialist and foreign vehicles like Mercedes, the cost of the oil change can even reach up to £220.
Tyres
When speaking of vehicles, the most abused and punished parts are the tyres. Over time and with continuous use, the road and debris wear them out. When the time comes that tread has worn down and you’ll need replacements, hundreds of pounds is the likely total for replacement for all four wheels.
Aside from replacement, there are other ways to repair damaged tyres without spending too much. One way is by repairing punctures. That’s not going to be much help with worn tread though.
A great tip to avoid this cost cropping up too often is to rotate the tires periodically. Some garages offer free tyre rotation if they were purchased from them. Therefore, ask your mechanic if they offer this service to avoid wearing out them down earlier.
Battery
Almost everyone who has a vehicle can say they have had a dead battery problem from time to time. The life span of batteries can last for around three to five years. However, one must understand that these kinds of batteries cannot be recharged; these must be replaced when their time has come. To lengthen the life span of your battery, make sure to regularly clean it.
When the need to replace the vehicle’s battery has come, the owner must be prepared to shell out around £45 to £90 or more. The cost can go up depending on the type of battery the vehicle requires.
Coolant System
What is this system? When speaking of the coolant system, this includes the water pump, thermostat, radiator, water as well as the anti-freeze system that runs through the radiator and into the engine. Like oil, the coolant also needs to be changed regularly. This is because the coolant breaks down and becomes ineffective over time.
Overheating can be prevented when fluids are flushed out of the radiator and the correct level of coolant is placed. Basing on the miles system, for every 24,000 to 36,000 miles travelled the coolant needs to be flushed. This may also depend on the model of the car. The cost of this maintenance is around £50 to £145 if there are no other issues.
Tune Up
Regular tune up helps prevent motoring problems in the future. Spark plugs are checked, cleaned and tested to ensure proper functioning. A tune up can cost around £35 and up.
These are just some of the repair costs that must be considered to prevent more complicated problems occurring in the future.