How To Deal With Expensive Car Repairs

Concluding updated on February 29th, 2016 at 07:48 pm

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Automotive repairs can restore your vehicle to working order and ensure information technology doesn't develop any bigger bug. Simply what if yous simply tin't afford the repair your motorcar needs? Beingness faced with unaffordable repairs is a common upshot amongst drivers living paycheck to paycheck, but it's nice to know you have options.

Negotiate the Repairs

In some cases, you may be able to negotiate with your mechanic or service middle. Ask about whatsoever available discounts to come across if you can save money on the total repair costs. This may not e'er be possible, only it's worth a shot. You lot may even be able to apply for a payment plan instead of facing a lump sum payment.

Shop Around

Non every auto store will hit y'all with the same estimate. Some mechanics charge by the 60 minutes while others provide a work-based estimate based on the extent of the damage. Getting a quote from at least iii or four unlike places will put yous in a better position to make up one's mind which one you tin can beget. At least one of these estimates should be from the dealership you purchased your automobile from, as they're the ones almost likely to offering money-saving discounts.

Use for a Personal Loan

While information technology'south not ideal to rack up debt, applying for a personal loan from your local bank or credit wedlock ordinarily means getting a better interest rate than with credit cards. Financial institutions always see requests for unexpected expense loans, so your state of affairs certainly wouldn't be unique. Alternatively, you could request a loan from a friend or family unit member, although this can be an uncomfortable situation. Regardless of which personal loan source you choose, be sure that you lot tin can realistically brand the agreed upon payments, and so you don't end up hurting your credit or relationships.

Utilise a Credit Card

Although y'all won't enjoy competitive involvement rates like you would with a personal loan, using a credit card is sometimes the only option. If you already have bachelor credit, and so using your credit card to pay for automotive repairs is easy. If not, apply for a low-interest credit card and have the repair pecker charged directly. This will permit y'all to make low monthly payments and double up on them when yous come into some extra cash.

Shop Around for Discount Parts

If your vehicle needs a costly part, you may exist able to shop effectually online for the parts you need. Yous should have into account the extra charges for state sales tax and shipping, as well as the rate your automotive technician quoted. Some car supply websites can save you quite a fleck of money on parts, but make certain the source has a good return policy prior to ordering, in case you demand to send it dorsum.

Sell Some Personal Items

Having your motorcar in the shop is stressful enough without having to organize a garage sale, but sometimes this is your only selection. Yous can quickly organize a garage auction within a calendar week to raise the extra money you lot need, plus y'all go the added bonus of decluttering your home and purging things you don't need. If property a garage sale isn't feasible, list some items on eBay or Craigslist. With any luck, you'll earn nearly of the coin you need to get that repair nib paid.

Barter

It'south ever best to have your vehicle repaired by a factory-trained certified technician, but if you but tin't afford to pay for repairs, ask someone you know who'southward handy if they'd exist interested in bartering. In general, though, this merely works if you lot have a mechanic in the family or take a personal friend who has worked as a technician. Stress that you won't be getting the labor for gratuitous, but that yous're willing to return something of value in exchange for their help.

Trade in the Vehicle

If you've brought your automobile to a dealership service eye, it may be a smart idea to head outside and meet which newer models they accept bachelor. Trading in your old motorcar and acquiring a new monthly payment isn't an ideal situation, just it'due south oft easier to manage a car payment than it is to exist faced with a large lump sum repair bill. In addition, a newer model will be more reliable, and so you won't have to worry about costly repairs anytime soon.

Nobody likes to deal with automotive repairs, especially when they interruption your budget. At the cease of the day, though, it's prissy to know that yous take options.