When To Visit A Car Repair Shop: Cut The Hidden Costs Of DIY Repair
If you think doing it yourself is cheaper than visiting a car repair shop? Think again!
Consider all that goes into a simple oil change, for example, arguably one of the most important but also DIY-friendly services you can book.
Doing-it-yourself will cut shop labour costs, but it adds several new expenses, including:
- Oil and equipment—Before you try your hand at a DIY oil change, you will need to cover the start-up cost, which includes the price of an oil filter, an oil-filter removal wrench, a wrench to remove the drain plug, a funnel, a drain pan, and some gloves. And don’t forget the oil itself! All told, unless your home garage is already set up for DIY repairs, expect to pay over $100 to get started, which is more than you would pay for professional service at most car repair shops.
- DIY labour costs—While you won’t have to pay for labour in the traditional sense, the time you invest in acquiring these skills and completing the service comes with significant opportunity costs. Time is money!
- Disposal fees—Used motor oil must be taken to a local recycling center for disposal, which may require paying a fee. But even if it doesn’t, you will waste time and burn fuel on something your local car repair shop can do for you.
As you can see, the “hidden costs” of DIY repair and upkeep can really add up, and that’s with one of the more approachable maintenance services. With more extensive car repairs, like transmission services and brake overhauls, the costs of start-up, DIY labour, and quality assurance can really get out of control, and you may lose your warranty coverage if services are completed incorrectly.
So, what is a budget-conscious vehicle owner to do? Don’t worry—if you are looking for ways to save money on your vehicle care, Meadowvale Auto Repair Specialists is here to help!
Save Money At A Pro Car Repair Shop In Mississauga: Call MARS
Since 1981, Meadowvale Auto Repair Specialists (MARS) have been committed to saving Mississaugians money on vehicle repair, upkeep, and part replacements with:
- One-stop shop savings and convenience—We put quality parts and broad repair expertise under one roof, so you can bundle your service costs together and cross off your entire to-do list with a single stop.
- Exclusive shop promotions—We participate in all the top brands’ official rebate programs, and we frequently roll out new promotions to help our clients save money on essential upkeep and repair services.
- Competitive pricing on all parts and labour—Our transparency and commitment to fair pricing has helped us build a great reputation and a legion of loyal customers in Mississauga, ON, like Jeff, who’s been saving money at MARS for more than 28 years.
- Lengthy parts and labour warranties—We stand behind our work, guaranteeing all parts and labour for 24 months or 40,000km—whatever comes first.
To get a free quote from our car repair shop in Mississauga, ON, you can call us at (905) 821-4992 or fill out our short contact form to book online.