Buying a new car, if it is a financially viable option, has a number of advantages over buying a used one. For one thing, it means that your car has a resale value should you be looking to trade it in at some point. Secondly, there is something quite rewarding about the feel of owning and driving a new car. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, there is the matter of maintenance.

Used cars have a lower price in no small part because wear and tear happens as a matter of course. Eventually there will be a need to repair some of this damage, but as you will no doubt have heard, a car loses value from the moment you drive it off the forecourt at the sales lot. This is standard depreciation – once you use a car, you are making it do work which places a strain on it – and without regular services will eventually become problematic. Therefore you should not be tricked into thinking that because your car is new, it will not need any maintenance for a while. Regular and fairly basic maintenance every so often is hugely preferable to major corrective action when the cumulative faults suffered by the car become too serious to bear.

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You might be able to avoid auto repair shops for awhile, especially if you’re keeping your vehicle well-maintained. However, mechanics are unavoidable as your car grows older. Parts begin to malfunction or fail. Hoses and belts wear down and need to be replaced. Tires go flat. If you want to keep driving, you’ll need to see an auto technician.

Most people dread taking their cars into the shop because they don’t know how high the repair bill will climb. That’s understandable and deserves clarification. In this article, I’ll explain how most mechanics arrive at their tab. Whether you need to replace your catalytic converter, fuel pump, timing belt, or any other part, you’ll at least know what to expect.

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