When you own a car, you have to budget for car repairs and maintenance costs.
Wear and tear is inevitable, and as long as you drive your car, some parts will need replacing. However, car spare parts can be expensive.
So, how can we keep replacement costs manageable?
Here are some tips on how to save money on expensive spare parts.
1. Don’t compromise on quality
When buying spare parts, it’s very tempting to go for the cheapest option.
But before you do, ask yourself, ” Am I ready to risk purchasing sub-standard parts to save money?”
You cannot afford to risk installing low-quality parts in your car, especially important ones such as those in your engine or brake system.
Find a dealer who will save you money by selling you quality spare parts. A dealer who buys directly from the original manufacturer will be able to offer original spares at a reasonable price.
You may choose to compromise on quality to cut down costs, but cheap sub-standard parts need to be changed frequently, and that will lose you money eventually.
Quality parts last longer and, in the long run, will save you money as you don’t have to keep replacing them.
Watch out for parts that are not genuine too. You can verify a spare part is genuine by cross-referencing with the original equipment manufacturer.
Also, learn about the different types of replacement spare parts to ensure you pick the right ones for your car. Purchasing the wrong spare part will lead to unwanted losses.
2. Be on the lookout for car part sales
Once in a while, auto shops hold clearance sales. During clearance sales, you can get lots of parts at a discount.
Make a point of looking out for such deals and stocking up on car parts you are likely to replace in the future; for example, oil filters, air filters, and tires.
The holidays are an excellent time to check for sales.
It’s a time to celebrate, and most people are in the mood to spend money. Car parts salespeople know this. They schedule discount sales during holidays to clear old stock and make room for new. They also lower prices to sell parts in large amounts.
Therefore, the holiday period is a great time to buy affordable spare parts. If you don’t have an urgent need for parts, save money, and make all your purchases during the sales.
Try to purchase parts from stores that offer after-sale services such as free installation. This will save you time and labour charges.
3. Buy spare parts online
Physical shops have overheads to pay, and they add these costs to the price of their parts.
Online vendors have little or no overheads and can afford to sell parts cheaper than brick and mortar shops.
Look online for deals from reputable online spare part dealers, and when you see a reasonable offer, don’t be afraid to make a purchase.
You may also find other car owners selling their second-hand car parts on car enthusiast websites. Only ensure you buy used car parts from a verified person to avoid losing your money to fraudsters.
Also, when making purchases online, choose spare parts that come with a warranty. It will enable you to return the part if it’s substandard or faulty and ask for a replacement.
4. Use comparison sites
The internet is a great place to find amazing deals. If you decide to purchase from online vendors and are wondering, “who has the cheapest spare parts in my area?” use comparison sites.
These websites collect information from different vendors and list them all for the buyer to make a choice. They often have review sections where previous buyers can comment about a seller’s spare parts, after-sales and customer service.
Comparison sites will save you time and money as you don’t have to wander from one auto shop to another, looking for the best deals. They will also keep you from being conned if you read the reviews.
Reviews give you an idea of a seller’s reputation and what you can expect from them. Only make purchases from people with the best reviews.
5. Handle your car with care
Sometimes you don’t need to spend money at all to make savings on parts.
Many times we damage parts in our car by being reckless.
For example, driving recklessly or on bad roads can cause some parts of your car to get damaged, such as the shock absorbers. It may also lead to accidents that force you to replace parts and repair your vehicle.
Think about it, when an auto expert repaints your vehicle with high-pressure spray equipment after you’ve scratched it or re-installs parts that are damaged due to careless driving, that’s unnecessary expenses.
It’s better to avoid such situations by driving with care and avoiding accidents.
If you don’t care for your vehicle as required by keeping it clean and storing it correctly, it may also lead to unnecessary wear and tear.
Make a point of driving gently, storing it properly, and caring for it as required, and you will save money on spare part purchases.
Are you looking for affordable spare parts?
These are a few tips you can use to save money on expensive spare parts.
The bottom line is, your car will give you back what you put into it. If you are careful when driving, store it properly, and only install high-quality parts, it will last long. Don’t forget to use quality fuel, lubricants, and fluids too. It also makes a difference.
Author: Lucy Hendrick
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