There’s no reason to stress about car repairs or maintenance when you properly budget for both before the service needs to be done. Just like how you set aside money for your car payment and vehicle insurance, you should also do so to protect your investment. We understand that the expenses can add up quickly, but at the same time, you don’t want to neglect auto care and have to buy a new car sooner than normal. Read to learn how much you should set aside for auto care.
Step 1: Refer to Previous Receipts and Records
To plan out how much money you need to set aside for maintenance, look at how much you’ve had to spend in the past. For example, gather all your receipts or statements from the previous year that you’ve collected at your auto repair shop. Add them up to find an estimated annual expense. Make sure to include the oil changes, tire rotations, brake pad changes, etc.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Vehicle’s Condition
Once you have an annual estimated cost spent on maintenance, consider your vehicle’s age and condition. Does it need new tires soon? You can check by looking at your tread. Does it need a timing belt replacement soon? You can also check by looking under the hood. What about a fluid flush? Make note of the items that aren’t typically done on a quarterly or bi-annual basis, and add it to your total from Step 1. You can find estimates online or call up your auto repair shop to ask for a general price.
Step 3: Plan for the Worst
By the worst, we mean any unexpected repairs. Once you gather your total from step 1 and step 2, we recommend adding a cushion. You never know whether you’d get a flat tire or a cracked windshield. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Step 4: Add and Divide by Number of Months of Number of Pay Periods
Once you add up all the numbers from the previous steps, divide them up accordingly. That way, you know how much to set aside in your chosen increments.
The team at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair is always delighted to work with you. We offer quality automotive services and repairs at fair prices that are hard to come by these days. If you want to discuss financing your services at our shop, feel free to call or visit our shop soon.