How to maintain a car without spending a fortune

Maintenance is what many believe to be a necessary evil. Here at carsales we accept that it's necessary – but hardly an 'evil' as such.

Nevertheless, it is possible to pay over the odds to ensure your car is properly maintained. The ideal solution is finding someone or some business you can trust to look after your car and keep you and your family safe, without charging an arm and a leg.

The options available include dealer servicing, logbook servicing by an aftermarket retailer, roadside assistance – for those maintenance items that fall through the cracks – and DIY, or 'do it yourself'.

The dealership experience

Capped-price servicing, if that's on offer through your local branded dealer, doesn't necessarily save you money, but it takes all the unpleasant surprise out of regular maintenance.

You know in advance, for instance, that the time has arrived to replace the brake pads or replenish the coolant, and car maintenance tasks like that will be factored into the price.

But if you're a demanding driver, your car's brake system may need some TLC earlier than the service schedule recommends. A blown headlight globe or a chip in the windscreen will cost the vehicle owner more, if the service coincides with a roadworthy test preparatory to selling the car.

Perhaps the exhaust system has been damaged between services, or the paintwork is looking a bit sad. But mostly, the cost of standard servicing, including consumables such as engine oil, coolant, the washer bottle and brake fluid, is fixed and predictable.

It's also a convenient solution, for the most part.

It's not always the case, but as often as not an aftermarket workshop can provide servicing that's more affordable than the dealer can provide, while maintaining your car in accordance with the logbook, without voiding the warranty.

Retail chains like MyCar (formerly K-Mart Tyre and Auto), Ultratune, Midas and Goodyear Autocare are located conveniently throughout major popular areas – and quite a few rural hubs as well. These companies (and the smaller players too) are committed to providing affordable and comprehensive service for your car, whether it's fresh from the factory or due for an old-age pension.

Their staff are also kept up to date on the latest technology in the cars they're servicing.

In addition to the big names, an independent garage with a good reputation can provide competent and affordable car maintenance and repairs. A lot of these independent workshops rely on strong word of mouth in the local area and repeat business to make their money.

They're usually equipped to handle large tasks, such as a complete engine swap, for example.

Roadside assistance complements regular servicing from a dealer or independent workshop. Some car companies offer roadside assistance for the duration of the warranty of part thereof.

But in the event that your new car comes without roadside assistance, you'll need to arrange your own subscription through one of the state motoring associations or an independent service provider.

In the event that the unthinkable happens – and the unthinkable happens more often than we think – a mobile mechanic can get you back on the road relatively quickly.

Whether it's replacing a battery, fixing a leak, changing a tyre or, in the worst-case scenario, calling for a tilt-tray truck to cart away your vehicle for engine repairs at a garage, the attending mechanic will be qualified, knowledgeable and competent. They wouldn't get the gig if they weren't.

It's not a substitute for regular maintenance, but it's a safety net for those occasions when your car suffers an unexpected glitch in between services.

Considering the potential cost of having a vehicle fixed by the side of the road or transported to a workshop without roadside assistance membership, it's cheap insurance.

Reasons vary as to why people won't lift the bonnet of a car to take a peek underneath. It could be fear of the unknown, or voluntary inertia, or time constraints.

But some fearless types will accept the challenge. A good place to start – for beginners – is confining yourself to visual inspection and checks.

There's little to no likelihood you might damage the car unintentionally if all you're doing is checking what the workshop should be doing in between each service.

When your car is months away from the next service:
• Check tyre pressures when filling up at the local service station
• Check all lights operate correctly – that's headlights, brake lights, indicators, etc
• Check fluids – engine oil, transmission, coolant, brake, steering and clutch fluid
• Check brake pads and shoes
• Check windscreen wipers and refill washer bottle
• Check underneath for any leak
• Walk around the car looking for body damage – corrosion, paint, loose trim, etc

As the owner becomes familiar with some of the car's inner workings, they might feel encouraged to undertake some basic maintenance tasks.

This is not recommended unless the owner is a qualified mechanic, although many owners will have the fundamental knowledge and basic skills to tackle some technical tasks.