How to keep your driving costs low
Motoring is undoubtedly more expensive than ever before.
With sky-high prices for petrol and diesel only one thing to contend with, the average insurance policy in the UK costs nearly £1,000 per year. This inflation hits new drivers the hardest, with many young adults now facing the predicament of whether to keep a car at all.
Driving is integral to our daily routines, so it’s crucial to find ways to make it more affordable. Whether you’ve just bought a car or you’re looking for ways to save money, we’ve outlined the best ways to keep driving costs low in this article.
How to reduce the cost of driving: Our top tips
1. Do your research
Firstly, make sure that you’re not spending any more than you need to on those unavoidable expenses. Rather than heading to the nearest garage or choosing your insurer based on the one you’ve always gone for, take some time to find the most cost-effective option. Many insurers, for example, offer multi-car discounts to the same household.
When it comes to servicing and repairs, try to use garages you trust. By doing some simple maintenance checks yourself at home, you can reduce the number of trips to the garage and keep your engine running smoothly. It’s worth taking the time to compare petrol and diesel prices near you before topping up your tank.
2. Check your tyres
From the suspension to wheel alignment, there are several factors that could cause uneven or excessive wear on your tyres. If you’ve been driving around with underinflated or overinflated tyres, you could also be spending more than you should be on fuel, since your engine will be working harder to keep the car moving at a constant speed.
Rather than letting yours wear down to the minimum legal tread limit, check your tyres regularly and rotate them appropriately. Buying the correct type is vital too: for example, if you drive a Golf, make sure you buy Volkswagen tyres. And if your car is throwing the tyre pressure warning light on the dashboard, don’t ignore it!
3. Drive smoothly
Did you know that the way you drive can save you money every day? Rapid acceleration and sudden stopping both contribute to costly damage, especially in older vehicles. Aim for a smooth and gentle driving style, reading the road ahead to keep the car rolling and avoid sudden stops.
For those who drive a long distance throughout the week, it’s a good idea to be consistent on the longer journeys too. Whether it’s your commute or the school run, try to stick to a steady speed – and drive at the speed limit. If you drive a manual car, keep it in an appropriate gear and only change gear when you need to.
4. Choose the right car
Lastly, it’s important to make sure that the car you drive aligns with your budget and financial circumstances. If you regularly find yourself spending more than you can afford on fuel, maintenance and insurance, it’s a good sign that you should think about a different set of wheels.
If you’re planning to buy a used car, try to shop around and think about long-term cost factors like fuel efficiency. Mileage is important, but you should prioritise checking a vehicle’s service history and recent MOT advisories over anything else. Try to overlook small cosmetic defects I it means you could get a cheaper, reliable car!
*This is a collaborative post.
