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How to save motoring cost.

 


Your  annual cost of driving can easily accelerate into the £1,000s. Even if you've a good little runner, fuel, parking, insurance, MOTs, breakdown cover and more quickly clock up the pounds. Yet it's possible to save on all of them. 

Don't assume third party insurance is cheapest

The minimum level of cover to legally drive on the road is known as 'third party' insurance.

Nope, it's not where you end up on a big night out – it's a specific type of insurance that covers you for any damage to another vehicle (or someone else's property). It also protects passengers in your car and the public, but doesn't give fire or theft cover.

It used to be the cheapest type of cover, but bizarrely, fully comprehensive policies can be cheaper for some. This is because selecting fully comp may mean you're considered a lower risk.


Find the cheapest petrol station and fill up your car.

You can charge electric cars for free across the UK in some places.

Check your photo license expiry or risk a £1,000 fine

Driving license photos must be replaced every 10 years (no matter how young you think you look)

DON'T risk losing your car. Pay your road tax on time.

Paper tax discs were scrapped in 2014. But while you no longer need to display one, you DO still have to tax your vehicle. If you don't, you could face a fine of £1,000 or five times the amount of tax owed, whichever is more . What's more, your car could be clamped, in which case you'll be charged a £100 release fee, or even impounded – then you'll be charged a £200 release fee, plus £21 a day until you pay it.
Paying annually is cheapest, and with direct debit you won't forget to renew.
Even if your vehicle's tax-exempt, you still have to apply

Don't buy premium fuels for standard cars

If your are a young drivers save £1,000s on insurance with specialist policies  breakdown cover at renewal

On expiry, don't just accept the renewal price for breakdown cover. Many firms quote highly-inflated costs that are easily beatable by asking for the deals given to new customers.

Save on fuel by changing your driving habits

  • Accelerate gradually without over-revving. Press harder on the pedal and more fuel flows. Get to the same speed using less power. As a very rough rule, stay under 3,000 revs.

  • Drive in the correct gear. Always drive in the highest gear possible without laboring the engine.

  • Slow naturally. Rather than brake frequently, let your car slow naturally where you can and use its stored momentum.

  • Think about road position. To do all this takes road awareness. The more alert you are, the better you can plan ahead and move gradually.

  • More than 50% of those who fight unfair parking tickets win

  • Getting an unfair parking ticket from an official body, such as a council or the police, is a sting in the tailpipe.

  • You can claim for repairs if you hit a pothole

  • Car insurance is a must – even if not driving

  • Driving for the first time in a while? What to check beforehand according to the AA and Green Flag

  • Brakes
  • Fluids
  • MOT 
  • Tyres 
  • Vehicle tax 

  • Driving in Europe? Check if you need an emissions sticker to avoid a £70+ fine

  • Lock in today's car insurance prices to beat further hikes – even if you're not at renewal

  • How to save even if not at renewal

  • Prep your car for the cold months


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