Some people have a natural desire to repair their vehicle themselves when it has an issue. Others have no interest in getting oil on their hands at all.
Both groups have a point, but only a point. Car owners who wish to save money by making their own repairs have the right idea, but need to be careful. Car owners who don’t undertake any repairs themselves will needlessly spend more money on car work than they need to.
The bottom line? There are some car repairs that you should do, and some that you should never do. We’ll run through a few of each below.
Changing a Tire
We’d say that it’s easier to have someone else change your tire for you, but that’s not even true. The actual work may be done more quickly if they do it, but you’ll have to wait for them to arrive first — and let’s not forget that call-out tire replacement services can be expensive. Changing a tire yourself isn’t just recommended; it’s an essential skill that all car owners should have. It also couldn’t be easier in an age of YouTube video tutorials. Simply find a video and follow along.
Standard Maintenance
In general, car owners will be able to do routine car maintenance themselves. These tasks include replacing the windscreen wipers, topping up any fluids, and rotating wheels. Again, this is a job that you could pay a professional to do, but there’s really no need.
Basic Repairs
OK, now to the interesting stuff: actually repairing your vehicle. When something breaks, our first inclination is to visit a garage to have it fixed. However, there are plenty of examples when it’ll be easier, faster, and cheaper to simply do it yourself. Most people will be able to comfortably replace damaged air filters, spark plugs, oil filters, and brake pads. There are websites where you can buy BMW, Ford, and MG car parts, among others, so it’s worthwhile placing an order, finding a Youtube tutorial, and seeing how you get on. Just be sure to have a professional take over if you run into any difficulty — even relatively straightforward jobs can be complicated if you take a couple of wrong turns.
Advanced Repairs To Be Avoided
Repairing your car is a bit like repairing things around the house: some jobs you can do yourself, some jobs you should never do. If your car has an electrical issue or a problem with a safety component, then don’t even think about trying to fix it yourself unless you have specialised knowledge. There are some instances when you might be able to perform light engine work, but really only if you have some experience with fixing cars. Undertaking work that’s beyond your skill level is a fast track towards a much more expensive repair bill and can also, in some cases, be dangerous.
So what’s the takeaway? If it’s simple and doesn’t impact the functionality of the vehicle too much, then you may be able to do it yourself. If it’s a complex job or you just don’t know what you’re looking at, then leave it to the pros.
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