How to Get Your Car Fixed Without Breaking the Bank

Your current vehicle has given you nearly a full decade of reliable service. Aside from the occasional tire rotation, air filter replacement or oil change, the car hasn’t required much in the way of upkeep. All things considered, you couldn’t have asked for a more dependable vehicle. Unfortunately, it seems like your automotive good luck has finally come to an end. No sooner did you pull your vehicle out of the driveway this morning than it decided to stop running.

After having the car towed your mechanic, you were informed that things aren’t looking good under the hood. In order to get the old girl up and running again, several key components will need to be swapped out. To further complicate matters, you’re looking at a repair bill of at least $1,000. As much as you love your car, you’re not sure such an old vehicle is worth sinking so much money into. Luckily, there are several ways to dramatically reduce your repair costs without compromising the overall quality of your vehicle. If you’re eager to restore your car to its former glory without spending a bundle, have a look at the following options.

Salvage Yards

Salvage yards are the budget-conscious motorist’s best friend. Sure, they’re chockfull of abandoned vehicles, but those vehicles contain multitudes of perfectly useable parts. Whereas manufacturer-direct auto components can easily cost hundreds of dollars apiece, most salvaged parts can be purchased for between $15 and $40. Adding to their convenience, salvage chains like U Pull & Pay enable customers to browse their extensive inventories and order parts online. In addition, if you ever feel like selling your vehicle, you’ll be pleased to learn that many salvage yards will gladly offer you cash on the spot.

Aftermarket Components

If you can’t find the parts your vehicle needs at your local salvage yard, look into purchasing aftermarket components. The opposite of original vehicle manufacturer (OEM) parts, aftermarket components are essentially third party auto parts. Instead of designing parts to fit specific vehicles, many aftermarket manufacturers produce parts that are compatible with a wide range of cars. While not quite as inexpensive as salvaged parts, aftermarket components tend to be considerably more affordable than their manufacturer-direct counterparts. In many cases, aftermarket parts don’t last as long as OEM components, but the money they’ll save you in the short term is often worth this caveat.

Resident Gear-Heads

Once you obtain the parts your vehicle needs, you’ll need someone who knows what he’s doing to install them. If you want to bypass mechanics’ fees altogether, why not enlist the services of a car-savvy friend or relative? Many social circles contain a resident gear-head who’s always eager to share his expertise on all things automotive. To compensate your friend for his time, consider paying him a small fee or treating him to a nice meal.

Exorbitant repair bills are the bane of every car owner’s existence. Although it may sometimes seem like there’s no way around them, these bills can be brought down with just a little bit of ingenuity. Anyone dying to bid a permanent farewell to jaw-dropping repair costs is urged to visit their local salvage yard, look into aftermarket parts and enlist the aid of their social circle’s resident gear-head.

About the Author: Stella Jones is a physical therapist who lives and works in Cincinnati. Whenever her car needs to have a defective part swapped out, she pays a visit to her local branch of U Pull & Pay, which boasts the Blue Chip City’s largest and most affordable selection of used auto parts.

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