
Got an issue with your car that you’re ignoring? Money may be tight, but delaying a trip to the mechanic could lead to more expensive repairs in the future. Below are a few examples of repairs that many people put off, but are often much cheaper to get repaired immediately.
Windscreen Chips
If you’ve got a small chip in your windscreen, you may not necessarily need a windscreen replacement. Chips and cracks that are smaller than a £2 coin can often be filled in with epoxy or acrylic resin. This can cost as little as £40 to get done. Chips and cracks in windscreens can often grow over time if not filled in, which means you may eventually need to get your windscreen replaced if you delay it too long. This will cost you a lot more – often upwards of £200 – so don’t ignore that crack in your windscreen!
Tyre Punctures
A tyre puncture doesn’t always mean that a new tyre is needed. Punctures that are less than 6 millimetres in the central third of the tire can often be patched up quite cheaply. It’s worth comparing puncture repair services in your area – in many cases, you can expect to pay less than £25. Holes and cuts in tyres can get bigger over time if not repaired. Delay it too long, and a tyre replacement may be necessary. Expect to pay at least £50 for a new budget tyre.
Worn Brake Pads
Failure to replace very worn brake pads can lead to longer stopping distances and a potentially greater risk of an accident. It can also lead to other parts becoming worn – including rotors, calipers, brake lines and wheel bearings. Therefore, you shouldn’t delay getting brake pads repaired. Brake pad repair can cost as little £100 and is even a feasible DIY repair. If you leave it too long and other parts get worn, you can expect to pay over double this amount for repairs.
Oil Leaks
An oil leak is a serious problem. The longer you ignore it, the more oil your car will lose. Engine parts won’t have any lubrication and could become easily damaged – and your whole engine may overheat and break down. Even if it’s a very slow leak, you could find yourself continuously topping up oil and spending lots of money. Getting a leak repaired could be very cheap if it’s something simple like a loose filter. See a mechanic as soon as you notice oil coming out of your car.
Worn belts
A car fault that you should never ignore is a worn cambelt. Replacing a worn cambelt is expensive – often over £300. However, it can end up a lot more expensive if you ignore it. A worn cambelt will eventually come loose or snap if you don’t replace it. In the process, it could take out many other engine parts and likely result in your car being a write-off. If you’re travelling at speed when it breaks, it could even lead to a deadly accident. All in all, if a mechanic recommends replacing your cambelt, it’s best to follow their advice.