News Published on : 04-Apr-2022 17:45:14

As energy prices Alex Kindred car insurance expert at confused.com offers some tips for cutting your motoring costs back. Car insurance: Although your car insurance might feel like a large outgoing it s actually one of the easiest areas where you could save money. All you need to do is shop around. If you re up for renewal consider switching insurers as you might not currently be paying the best deal that s already out there. Our latest research found that drivers who shopped around during at the end of 2021 saved £ 36 compared to the price at the end of 2020. If you can afford to also consider paying for your policy annually. Monthly payments might help you to budget in the long run but it s likely you ll end up paying interest on top. Maintenance: It s also possible to make savings on your car maintenance costs which includes MOTs and cleaning. This costs add up to around £ 424 per year but could be more if you don t look after your vehicle. If your vehicle is due its MOT make sure you prepare your vehicle properly so that you can avoid failing (and even a costly bill on top if you need to pay for repairs). If you re not sure how your can prepare your vehicle to pass its MOT. Essential checks include: o Lights - are they working correctly? o Tyres - are they at the correct pressure and is the tread depth of the legal limit? o Vehicle body - are your brakes horn and steering all working properly? o Windows and mirrors - is anything obstructing your view and is there any damage to the wiper blades? o Documentation - make sure that your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matches the number in your car s log book Getting your car serviced before it s MOT will ensure that your car is road safe and you re not driving illegally. If you do need repairs don t be afraid to ask around for different quotes from reputable garages as you might be able to save money here too. Fuel: The price of fuel is the topic of conversation right now with the latest figures showing that fuel prices are surpassing 163p and 175p for petrol and diesel respectively. Our latest research found that two in five (40%) UK drivers are making a conscious effort to drive less in order to save on fuel at the moment. You might not be aware but there s things you can do to save money on fuel when you drive. These includes: o Removing excess weight from your car - empty the boot of items you don t need or remove bike racks to make your car lighter o Inflating your tyres to their correct pressure - the surface area that s in contact with the o road increases when a tyre is under-inflated. The more surface area in contact with the road the more drag on the wheel. o Avoiding your engine being idle - you ll burn less fuel if you just turn off your engine than restarting when you need to move again