10 Ways to Slash £1,000s Off Annual Cost Of Cars, Bikes & Vans

1. Don’t assume 3rd party insurance is cheapest.

The lowest level of cover, counter logically, isn’t always cheapest. For some, comprehensive wins, as choosing it may mean you’re considered a lower risk. So if you were planning on 3rd party, also get a comprehensive quote. For max quotes at speed, combine comparison sites, then check the policy’s right and if cashback is available.

2. 73% of AA and 59% of RAC hagglers succeed.

If your renewal’s too costly, ask them to cut it or you’ll consider leaving. Haggling success rates are huge.

3. Hidden council MOT centres prevent fails.

Council-run MOT centres are set up to do their own vehicles (e.g. buses) but must also open to the public. As they don’t offer repairs, they’ve no vested interest to fail you. So feedback like this is common:

“My garage said repairs would cost almost £1,000 … the council test centre passed it without any work needed.”

4. Your car doesn’t need to drink premium fuel.

Many forecourts sell ‘high performance’ fuels, yet unless you’ve a sports car there’s little difference.

5. Get £100s back on petrol and diesel spend.

Some credit card companies pay up to 3% cashback on fuel spends up to £300/ month, plus 2% at department stores and 1% in supermarkets. For many it can be worth £100+/year, though there’s a sometimes an annual fee, so only apply if you’ll use it enough and always set up a Direct Debit to repay in full each month to avoid the 18.9% APR interest.

6. Make cash from your driveway.

If you live in a city, near an airport or football stadium (anywhere where parking’s pricey), your driveway may be paved with gold. Renting out a parking space can make you up to £200 a month.

7. Less pedal to the metal saves 30% on fuel.

Huge fuel savings come from driving less aggressively (not the same as slower). Think of the accelerator as a money pump: the harder you press, the more you spend. Accelerate gradually, stay under 3,000 revs, drive in the highest comfortable gear and think about road position to slow naturally.

8. 1.7million photo driving licences are out of date – avoid £1,000 fines.

 The photo needs renewing every 10 years. Urgently check the end date (section 4b) and if expired.

9. Check your light bulbs pre-MOT – not as obvious as it sounds. 35% of MOTs fail first time.

The most frequent reasons are bust light bulbs, suspension problems, handbrake tension, worn tyres and windscreen damage. Many of these can easily be fixed before you go.

10. 57% who fight unfair council parking tickets win.

Fight an unfair council parking ticket all the way and you’ve got a strong chance of winning. If it’s an unfair private ticket then it’s an invoice, not a fine. Simply write back, disputing it.