From replacing wiper blades to clearing up a scratch: 5 car faults you can fix yourself

Motoring and Travel

Updated on 30 October 2024 | 0 Comments

If your paint gets scratched or your tyre picks up a puncture, your first instinct may be to call the experts for help, but that could cost you. Here are five things you can fix yourself.

It's no secret that motoring costs have soared in recent years.

Even if you don't use your vehicle that often, simply owning one has become extortionately expensive. 

Car insurance prices soared 58% in 2023 alone, according to Confused.com, while data from Intelligent Motoring suggests the cost of maintenance and repairs is up 40% since 2018.

With that in mind, it's important you take steps to minimise your outlays wherever possible.

Save every time you fill up: top tips to slash your fuel bill

While most of us have a fairly limited knowledge of maintaining a motor, the truth is there are many issues that you can easily fix yourself without having to spend hundreds on calling out a professional.

Let's take a look at five relatively straightforward ones.

Removing scratches

While we all dream of keeping our car in tip-top condition, accidents can happen. 

If you’re unfortunate enough to scratch your car – or have it scratched by an incompetent driver – you could repair it yourself if it’s not too serious.

According to review site Carbuyer.co.uk, on-the-spot repairs for scrapes and scratches could cost you between £100 and £200 for minor damage to a single panel, so it's certainly worth trying.

Below is a video by consumer site Which? to help you get rid of those pesky, unsightly scratches.

Compare car insurance quotes at Confused.com

Repair a punctured tyre

Getting stranded at the side of the road with a flat tyre and no spare is a nightmare scenario for many people – and can be worrying if it happens at night.

So it's worth being prepared for this and keeping a sealant and compressor in your car boot.

The RAC video below explains how to go about repairing a tyre if the puncture is not too serious.

Of course, make sure you’re in a safe spot and that your personal safety isn’t at risk before commencing a repair. If this is not possible, you should call someone for help.

You would also need to replace the damaged tyre as soon as possible, even after the tyre has been inflated.

Halfords offers a puncture repair service, but it will set you back £25.

 23 ways to cut your car insurance premiums

Replace a flat tyre

If you have a serious puncture or a spare tyre, it’s always handy to be able to know how to change a tyre.

The RAC offers a useful video on how to safely change a tyre and reveals what you need in advance.

The ESSENTIAL winter money-saving checklist

Change your windscreen wipers

You don't want to be caught out in the rain with windscreen wipers that aren't up to the job.

Car sales site Webuyanycar reveals an easy way for you to remove and change wipers.

You can buy a wiper blade from as little as £6. While you have to buy new wiper blades, you can avoid paying for a fitting, which could cost approximately £4 for both blades.

Selling a used car on webuyanycar.com: how to get the best price and is it the cheapest?

Jumpstart your car

Admittedly most motorists will already know this one, but it's worth including for the few who don't and find themselves stranded with a flat battery.

To state the obvious, you'll need access to jump leads and a second vehicle with a charged battery – avoid using a hybrid or electric car as this can cause damage.

Before you jumpstart the car, the RAC recommends consulting your owner’s manual and checking for obvious signs of damage to the batteries or jump leads.

Make sure to remove any metal jewellery and ensure nothing metal touches the terminals on the battery.

If there’s obvious damage or you’re not feeling confident, you should contact a professional to jump-start the car for you.

Find parking quickly with JustPark

If you’re happy to go ahead, the RAC has a full video tutorial below:

*This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently.

Comments

Be the first to comment

Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature

Copyright © lovemoney.com All rights reserved.

 

loveMONEY.com Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with Firm Reference Number (FRN): 479153.

loveMONEY.com is a company registered in England & Wales (Company Number: 7406028) with its registered address at First Floor Ridgeland House, 15 Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1DY, United Kingdom. loveMONEY.com Limited operates under the trading name of loveMONEY.com Financial Services Limited. We operate as a credit broker for consumer credit and do not lend directly. Our company maintains relationships with various affiliates and lenders, which we may promote within our editorial content in emails and on featured partner pages through affiliate links. Please note, that we may receive commission payments from some of the product and service providers featured on our website. In line with Consumer Duty regulations, we assess our partners to ensure they offer fair value, are transparent, and cater to the needs of all customers, including vulnerable groups. We continuously review our practices to ensure compliance with these standards. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy and currency of our editorial content, users should independently verify information with their chosen product or service provider. This can be done by reviewing the product landing page information and the terms and conditions associated with the product. If you are uncertain whether a product is suitable, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a regulated independent financial advisor before applying for the products.