Car maintenance tips if you’re on a budget

If you’re trying to live a much more frugal lifestyle, you need to learn to get better at handling projects yourself. As well as home improvement tasks, there are car maintenance jobs you can take on yourself if you’re trying to watch the pennies. It’s no secret that the cost of owning a car can be pricey, but our vehicles are important investments that should be maintained.

While the jobs we will mention below are easy to moderate when it comes to difficulty, make sure you take extra precautions to get them right and make no mistakes.

Fix minor scratches and paint chips

This is one of the easiest maintenance upkeep tasks you can do yourself. If your scratches and chips aren’t too big, a touch-up paint kit might be a good option for you. You can pick these up for around £10. Follow instructions and check out demonstrations online to get the best results.

Wash and wax your car

One of the best ways to maintain your car’s exterior is to remove all the dirt and residue that  can damage the finish. Dirt also shows up chips, scratches and dents you may not normally notice.

Wash your car with a cleaning solution designed for your vehicle, working from the top downwards using a microfiber washing mitt.  We suggest you clean your tyres with a separate bucket of soapy water so you don’t spread grease and grime across your car and dry thoroughly with a fresh towel before applying the wax.

Replace windscreen wipers

Replacing them every 6-12 months is optimal for your wipers depending on how often they’ve been used. If they streak, make a noise or are cracked, it might be time to get a new set. Take a look at this WikiHow post to learn how to fit them and take a look at your user manual for more information on the correct type of wipers to buy.

Tyre inflation

Your tyres must be maintained in good condition with proper inflation for maximum safety and economical operation of your vehicle. Visually inspect your tyres on a monthly basis to see whether or not they’re unevenly worn or if the tyre is cracked, damaged or has otherwise deteriorated. For the correct inflation, take a look at the information usually located on the inside of the driver’s door jam.

We understand not all maintenance tasks can be done by you – some will require professional help, such as putting your vehicle through its MOT test. If you’re on a tight budget don’t panic; Halfords Autocentre will pay the cost of your MOT test if you buy something in store between 10th September and 16th October, enabling you to keep your car roadworthy for another year.

We’d love to hear any tips of your own, please share them with us in the comments below.