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Automotive repairs can restore your vehicle to working order and ensure it doesn’t develop any bigger problems. But what if you simply can’t afford the repair your car needs? Being faced with unaffordable repairs is a common issue among drivers living paycheck to paycheck, but it’s nice to know you have options.
Negotiate the Repairs
In some cases, you may be able to negotiate with your mechanic or service center. Inquire about any available discounts to see if you can save money on the total repair costs. This may not always be possible, but it’s worth a shot. You may even be able to apply for a payment plan instead of facing a lump sum payment.
Shop Around
Not every auto shop will hit you with the same estimate. Some mechanics charge by the hour while others provide a work-based estimate based on the extent of the damage. Getting a quote from at least three or four different places will put you in a better position to decide which one you can afford. At least one of these estimates should be from the dealership you purchased your car from, as they’re the ones most likely to offer money-saving discounts.
Apply for a Personal Loan
While it’s not ideal to rack up debt, applying for a personal loan from your local bank or credit union usually means getting a better interest rate than with credit cards. Financial institutions always see requests for unexpected expense loans, so your situation certainly wouldn’t be unique. Alternatively, you could request a loan from a friend or family member, although this can be an uncomfortable situation. Regardless of which personal loan source you choose, be sure that you can realistically make the agreed upon payments, so you don’t end up hurting your credit or relationships.
Use a Credit Card
Although you won’t enjoy competitive interest rates like you would with a personal loan, using a credit card is sometimes the only option. If you already have available credit, then using your credit card to pay for automotive repairs is easy. If not, apply for a low-interest credit card and have the repair bill charged directly. This will allow you to make low monthly payments and double up on them when you come into some extra cash.
Shop Around for Discount Parts
If your vehicle needs a costly part, you may be able to shop around online for the parts you need. You should take into account the extra charges for state sales tax and shipping, as well as the rate your automotive technician quoted. Some auto supply websites can save you quite a bit of money on parts, but make sure the source has a good return policy prior to ordering, in case you need to send it back.
Sell Some Personal Items
Having your car in the shop is stressful enough without having to organize a garage sale, but sometimes this is your only option. You can quickly organize a garage sale within a week to raise the extra money you need, plus you get the added bonus of decluttering your home and purging things you don’t need. If holding a garage sale isn’t feasible, list some items on eBay or Craigslist. With any luck, you’ll earn most of the money you need to get that repair bill paid.
Barter
It’s always best to have your vehicle repaired by a factory-trained certified technician, but if you simply can’t afford to pay for repairs, ask someone you know who’s handy if they’d be interested in bartering. In general, though, this only works if you have a mechanic in the family or have a personal friend who has worked as a technician. Stress that you won’t be getting the labor for free, but that you’re willing to return something of value in exchange for their help.
Trade in the Vehicle
If you’ve brought your car to a dealership service center, it may be a smart idea to head outside and see which newer models they have available. Trading in your old car and acquiring a new monthly payment isn’t an ideal situation, but it’s often easier to manage a car payment than it is to be faced with a large lump sum repair bill. In addition, a newer model will be more reliable, so you won’t have to worry about costly repairs anytime soon.
Nobody likes to deal with automotive repairs, especially when they break your budget. At the end of the day, though, it’s nice to know that you have options.
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