Are You Putting Off Car Maintenance? Here’s How That Affects Your Car.
Owning a car can be expensive. From the upfront cost to purchase a vehicle to the long-term investment of maintenance, the bills can start to add up. As costs rise, it can be tempting to avoid maintenance or repairs in an effort to save. According to a recent study by FinanceBuzz, 64% of drivers are currently putting off car maintenance or repairs. Here's how that impacts your car long term, and what you can do about it.
Read more: How Much Should Auto Maintenance Cost? A Guide To Planning For Auto Expenses
The Impact of Putting Off Car Maintenance
Putting off car maintenance can have long-term consequences for your vehicle. In that same study from FinanceBuzz, 69% of drivers say they delay getting maintenance done even after they know it is due. Similarly, 46% of drivers say they have paid for a car repair in the past that they believe could have been avoided if they were better about getting scheduled maintenance done. Unfortunately, delaying maintenance can actually cost you more in the long run. Many of the systems in your car are connected. When one part is failing, its places extra strain on the peripheral parts connected to it. Over time, this can cause multiple parts or entire systems within your car to fail, requiring a much more extensive repair to get you back on the road. Following the recommended maintenance guidelines for your car is the best way to extend the life of your vehicle, and minimize the cost of repairs long term.Look For Financing Options
If you don’t have the ability to pay for repairs right away, you can also explore financing options. At V&F Auto Inc., we understand that life happens, and your vehicle may require immediate maintenance services or emergency auto repairs that you weren’t expecting. In fact, 58% of drivers say they could not afford an emergency car repair costing more than $1,000 right now. That’s why we offer convenient financing options, like TECH-NET's credit card program. TECH-NET offers 6 months of interest-free financing through Synchrony Bank so we can get your car working again quickly. You can read more about our financing options here.Don’t Forget— You Can Always Get A Second Opinion
If you’re unsure about a mechanic’s estimate, you can always pause and get a second opinion. While auto maintenance may feel urgent, you often have a short window of time to make a phone call and talk to another expert. If your vehicle is driveable, you can even take it to another shop to see what they recommend. If you don’t have time to spare, ask for a cost breakdown. Your mechanic should always be transparent about the urgency for a repair, the reason driving it, and the associated costs.Read more: How Much Should Auto Maintenance Cost? A Guide To Planning For Auto Expenses
Auto Maintenance At V&F Auto
If you find yourself putting off car maintenance or repairs come visit us at V&F! V&F Auto Inc. is proud to be the best local auto repair shop in Agawam, MA! Since 1988, our family-owned and operated service center has been providing top-quality auto repair services to Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, West Springfield, and the surrounding Massachusetts communities. All of our auto repair services are backed by an industry-leading 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor.