Published: 10/01/2020
and written by P Smith
At Mr Lender, we offer short term loans between £200-£1,000.
Running a car is an expensive business – but for most of us having our own mode of transport is an essential that we just can’t compromise on. But there are ways to cut back and make sure your motor isn’t taking up too much of your income. Mr Lender has put together some money-saving motoring tips for you.
CHOOSE YOUR TYRES WISELY
Yes – the type of tyre on your car really can make a big difference! While opting for the cheapest tyre available may seem like the sensible choice, it can end up costing you more in the long run as they can hit your fuel economy and need replacing more regularly than the more expensive tyres. The RAC has a handy guide to tyre buying which can help you choose which type is best for you. New and part worn tyres are available. Also keep an eye on your tyre pressure, It might cost you 20p to £1 to do this at a petrol station, but it’s worth it for the amount it can save you in the long-run. Under inflated tyres can use 6% more fuel.
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STICK TO STANDARD FUEL
Unless you’re driving a performance vehicle, you’re unlikely to see any improvements after filling up with ‘premium’ fuel at the pumps, but you’ll pay around 10p a litre more!
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BE GENTLE WHEN THE CAR IS COLD
Cars are least efficient when the engine is cold so try not to go full-throttle as soon as you hit the road. Your windscreen wipers will wear out and need replacing a lot quicker if you use them on ice, so make sure you scrape the windscreen or stock up on de-icer.
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SEARCH AROUND FOR FUEL DEALS
It’s an obvious one, but this one means planning ahead and making sure you have time to get to the petrol station with the best offer before your tank runs low. Try not to leave refuelling until you’re in the red and have no option but to stop at the nearest filling station – as that could set you back more money than you could have got away with paying. Also look out for supermarket receipts that include a voucher for money off at their petrol pumps.
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HAGGLE ON CAR INSURANCE
Don’t just accept your auto-renewal quote! Call your provider to see what else they can offer, and pop your details into Comparethemarket to see what else is available to you before you commit to anything.
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USE A PARKING APP
Many parking companies allow you to pay using an app on your phone – which means that you can extend your stay remotely to avoid dashing back to top up the ticket and risking a fine.
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BUY YOUR TAX ANNUALLY
It can be tempting to pay your car tax in monthly instalments to avoid having to shell out a lump sum all in one go – but it will actually work out cheaper to pay it annually. You could always look for a 0% credit card to cover the payment if you don’t have the full amount to hand at the right time – but make sure you pay it off before the 0% rate expires.
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CAR SHARE
Obviously, it won’t always be convenient – but it will save you money if you car share where you can. Is there someone in your office who lives nearby who you can share the journey with? Maybe a neighbour does their weekly shop at the same supermarket on the same day as you? Keep car sharing in mind whenever you’re taking a solo journey.
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WASH YOUR CAR
There are hand car wash centres all over the place – you can even get someone to clean your car in the supermarket car park while you do your food shopping. And then there’s the temptation of the carwash at the petrol station – always so much fun! But the costs all add up, and the added benefit of doing it yourself is that you will naturally keep a close eye on the condition of your car, and you’ll be able to fix any damage before it gets worse.
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Mr Lender is a multi-award winning lender and is rated five stars on Trustpilot by customer reviews. So why would you choose anyone else for your short term loans?
