TOP TIPS FOR CAR MAINTENANCE ON A BUDGET

1. Prioritise essential checks to avoid fines and accidents.

Check your vehicle's brakes, lights, and tyres regularly to ensure safety and legal compliance. To check your car's lights, turn the ignition on (you may need the engine running), then walk around the vehicle to test all exterior lights. Use a mirror or ask someone to help you check brake and reverse lights.

For brakes, ensure the pedal feels firm underfoot, the car stops smoothly without pulling or noise, and your vehicle does not pull to the left or the right. A simple 20p coin test helps check tyre tread depth: if the outer rim is hidden when inserted into the tread, you're above the 1.6mm legal minimum. Falling below this limit could mean fines of up to £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points.

2. Never ignore warning lights.

Dashboard warning lights signal urgent safety or mechanical issues, yet 21% of UK drivers admit to ignoring them to save time or money. Brushing off these warnings can lead to costly repairs, breakdowns, and dangerous driving. Drivers who put off essential maintenance may only be worsening issues, leading to expensive repercussions. Getting it checke...