Unfortunately, car repairs are an inevitable part of life. Every now and then, you’ll find yourself needing to take your vehicle in for a tune-up. And since this can’t be avoided, it’s important to know how to save money on car repairs.

Whether it’s something simple like replacing the oil and filters or something more complex like getting new tires or a new engine, there are ways that you can save money on every repair for your car — if you know what you’re doing.

Car repairs are expensive, but not at 4wd service centre by Midas Frankston Tyre & Auto Service. If you take your car to a shop for even the simplest of problems, it can easily cost you hundreds of dollars. What’s more, you have to deal with the hassle and time of taking it out of service. With these 7 tips, you’ll be able to save yourself a lot of money and frustration by doing the repairs yourself:

1. Learn about the condition of your car.

The more you know about your car, the easier it is to catch potential problems early on and to make sure that you don’t get ripped off when a mechanic diagnoses a problem with your vehicle. Do some research online to figure out what your vehicle needs and what types of issues it might develop in the future.

This will also help you spot overpriced auto parts when shopping them around at different auto shops. For example, if you know that the OEM part is $300, but the mechanic is trying to sell it to you for $500, then you can negotiate or look elsewhere for the part.

2. Do Some Inspection Before You Buy

A seller of a used car might try to get rid of a car before some serious mechanical issues become apparent, so if you’re buying a used vehicle, make sure you do your homework before sealing the deal. A thorough inspection of the vehicle’s mechanical condition is essential if you want to avoid costly repairs later on.

3. Shop Around for Estimates.

Before deciding on a repair shop, get at least three estimates for whatever work is needed on your car and don’t be afraid to negotiate for a lower price. If you let the mechanic know that you are getting multiple estimates, they may be willing to give you a better deal in order to secure your business. When shopping around, make sure that all mechanics are giving you an estimate for the same problem and same amount of work being done.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

If the mechanic is talking about a specific issue or part, ask what it is and why it’s needed. You don’t have to be confrontational or aggressive, but it’s fine to ask questions if you’re confused.

Be wary of any claim that a part needs to be replaced immediately. Mechanics are not doctors. There’s no such thing as an “emergency” car repair. If something needs to be fixed right away, they’ll let you know. Otherwise, there’s usually time to shop around for a good price on the parts or shop around for another mechanic who won’t take advantage of your lack of knowledge about cars.

Be prepared with the make and model of your vehicle. There are millions of cars out there on the road, and the details about each one matter when you’re trying to get repairs done (or parts). Know exactly what kind of car you have before taking it in for repairs so that you won’t be charged for unnecessary work or replacement parts that aren’t needed for your particular vehicle.

5. Maintenance

The best way to keep repair costs down is by not having repairs in the first place. Preventive maintenance is always cheaper than fixing something that broke because you didn’t take care of it. Some things to look at include oil changes, tire rotations and alignments, changing your air filter and changing brake pads before they wear down too far. These are all things that you can do yourself if you have time and patience.