If you’re a car owner, you’ll know that regular services are part-and-parcel of the package. These routine check-ups are integral to ensuring your vehicle runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
But there’s no denying that they come at a cost. To ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck, the following tips can help you prepare (both mentally and financially) for your next car service in Perth.
Read your car owner’s manual
You know that little pamphlet that you shoved somewhere in your glovebox back when you purchased your car? As boring as it may be to read, it does contain crucial information that can help you avoid costly traps later down the track.
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the info it provides – particularly around how often your car needs to be serviced as well as which parts should be replaced at what point in time. As every car model has different requirements, it pays to understand some of the finer details in order for you to make educated decisions (rather than simply nodding along with whatever your car service provider suggests).
Be honest about your car care
You may be inclined to sway the truth when it comes to discussing just how well you’ve been caring for your car, but it’ll only be detrimental to you and your pockets in the long run. As soon as your mechanic inspects your car, they’ll come across any issues that have resulted from lack of care anyway.
Being upfront from the outset ensures your car service provider can give you an as-accurate-as-possible estimate of the required work and related costs, while tending to any issues now so you can avoid the risk of a blow-out down the track.
Request a written estimate
You have the right to ask your car service provider for a detailed description of the estimated costs your car service or repair might require. An itemised list is a great way to run through every aspect of the service and subsequently query any parts that don’t make sense or seem like a sneaky upsell.
Ask to be contacted about additional work
Even if your auto technician has given you a comprehensive breakdown of services required, this is always an estimate. When the time comes to actually perform the service, the technician may find additional issues that need to be addressed, hence requiring you to fork out extra costs.
If this happens to be the case, you may want to request that you are contacted before any additional work is carried out. Ask your technician to explain why they feel this work is necessary and how much extra it is likely to cost.
Compare quotes
Another benefit of requesting a written estimate of costs is that you can then do your research into alternative options. No matter if you’ve been with the same provider for years or you’re still in the shopping-around phase, you have the right to choose a service that feels fair in terms of pricing. Investigating the different options out there allows you to gauge a good idea of the average cost for a car service, therefore empowering you to make an informed decision.
