How to save money on car running costs in 2023
After a challenging 2022, we look forward to a fresh start in the new year. We enjoyed the well-deserved Christmas and New Year festivities with the family. But afterwards often comes a period of anxiety. The January blues makes us think about life and the future.
You may be concerned about your personal finances. And rightly so. The cost of living crisis, a looming recession and rising interest rates are just some of the difficulties facing the UK. So, this is the time to identify ways to spend your money wisely.
Your car expenses must be one of your top priorities and MotorServ UK is here to help you. Here are some recommendations for saving money on your car running costs.
Car Running Costs - How to cope with rising fuel prices?
Fuelling up your car can be quite challenging with the rising petrol and diesel prices. According to Statista, the average UK household spent £1,159.60 a year fuelling up the car in 2021. That’s approximately £22.30 a week.
In 2023, this expense may be a little bit higher. According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pump prices, in pence per litre as of 19 December 2022 were:
154.04 for ultra-low sulphur unleaded petrol
177.60 for ultra-low sulphur diesel
The price you pay will depend on how fuel efficient your car is. There are several ways you can get more mileage out of your petrol tank, including:
Planning your journey
Avoiding busy roads
Driving at a constant speed
By driving efficiently, you can save hundreds or even thousands of pounds annually at the pump. So, it’s essential to monitor your fuel economy.
Car Running Costs - What can you do about your car maintenance costs?
Another way to save money is to maintain your car regularly. Paradoxically, maintenance and servicing are major annual expenses that can break the bank if you don’t consider them in your annual budget. However, if you skip servicing and do not keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, a major breakdown could occur, leading to more expensive repairs.
At MotorServ UK, we have often found that not budgeting for your vehicle’s servicing and regular maintenance will cause you to cut corners on the repair once your car starts to malfunction. Doing this just to get your car on the road will do more harm than good in the long run.
That is why at MotorServ UK we have created the initiative 0% Finance available in Birmingham, Solihull. This way if your bill exceeds £250, our team can do the work immediately, and spread the payments over up to 12 months to a budget that suits you. And guess what? It’s interest-free! That’s right, you don’t have to pay down on the same day, and you don’t have to pay any interest!
We take the worry out of car maintenance. Another option we have created for our customers is the MotorClub, which will allow you to save money and avoid painful service bills. The membership covers all of your servicing requirements and gives you access to over £500 worth of free additional services, including all your MOTs.
We guarantee your peace of mind because whatever your vehicle needs, we’ll carry it out for you entirely.
Car Running Costs - Additional Recommendations
Here are some extra tips for you to improve your car running costs and finances in 2023:
Choose the right insurance cover and opt for multi-car insurance if your household owns more than one car. This option often helps you get discounts.
Find cheap parking spaces before driving. You can rent the space in advance. Saving on parking will allow you to put some pennies back in your pocket.
Keep sensible out on the road to avoid fines and save fuel.
Keep up to date with your car tax and don’t fall for scams. Find out what your renewal day is and pay only through the official gov.uk website.
By taking into consideration our recommendations, we’re sure you’ll save on your car running costs this year.
