In the cost-of-living crisis, saving money on motoring leaves more cash for important expenses.
No matter whether you’re commuting into the city or just getting the school run done, it’s worth knowing how to keep your motoring costs to a minimum. In this guide, we’ve listed our 5 top tips to cut driving costs as a family.
Saving money on motoring: Our 5 top tips for families
- Buy used
When it’s time to change your car, don’t be tempted to go for the latest model if you’re hoping to save money. Consider browsing used cars instead: you’ll still find plenty of great quality vehicles, and many of these could be ‘nearly new’ with minimal mileage.
Furthermore, most car dealerships still offer a warranty on used cars with a proven service history to back it. Buying a used vehicle also means you don’t need to worry so much about car depreciation, which would be a pressing concern after buying the latest model.
2. Share responsibility
Family driving is often shared by two partners – and sometimes teenage children too.
If you’ve got more than one driver in your household, it’s worth looking for ways to spread the costs. Look for multibuy deals on parts, tyres and cleaning products, and consider multi-car insurance. There are several insurance providers with policies specially tailored to family life, so it’s worth shopping around.
3. Keep up with maintenance
Keeping your cars in good condition will save you money on maintenance in the long run.
Make sure to regularly check your vehicles over. If you spot any slight flaws or hear any strange noises while you’re driving, it’s worth getting them checked out by a mechanic.
Keep fluids including engine oil, windscreen washer fluid and engine coolant sufficiently topped up to make sure you never run low. Engine oil is particularly important, since it keeps mechanical parts moving seamlessly. Without it, your engine could seize up and leave you with a costly repair bill.
4. Be savvy
There are plenty of unavoidable, extra expenses associated with driving and keeping a car.
Small habits could save you more than just pocket change. Whether it’s parking that little bit further from the town centre or hand washing your car on the driveway, a little bit of your time could give you more money back.
Plus, instead of using just the closest fuel station to home, it’s worth finding the cheapest one. With fuel costs rising sharply with going rates for oil, it’s estimated that fuel pump prices have increased by an average of eight pence since the start of the year.
5. Stay organised
Finally, family life often means that you’ll be living in a busy household. If so, it’s worth planning each week carefully and making sure you communicate effectively.
When you know where everyone needs to be, you can use your vehicles more economically. There are plenty of ways to cut fuel costs and limit unnecessary journeys as a family, especially if you think ahead and plan your week strategically.
