The complete range of auto services in Grimsby.

Whether you couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel at 17, or you’ve waited until later in life to take your driving test, there are a number of things to consider if you’re a new driver. Purchasing your first vehicle – There are a number of things to consider when purchasing your first vehicle, from reliability to fuel and insurance costs. For example, vehicles are grouped into different insurance classifications, with vehicles in group 1 being the cheapest to insure and vehicles in group 50 being the most expensive. You can visit our blog ‘ Things young drivers should consider when purchasing their first car ’ for further information. Purchasing car insurance – Car insurance is typically more expensive for young and/ or new drivers, but there are a number of things that can be done to reduce car insurance costs, such as having a telematics box fitted. You should always make sure you’re buying a policy suited to your individual requirements. We advise using a local broker to purchase a policy where possible. Our blogs ‘ What car insurance should I buy? ’ and ‘ How can I reduce the cost of my car insurance as a young driver? ’ might also be helpful. Basic maintenance – It’s essential to keep your vehicle in a safe, roadworthy condition at all times. This involves keeping the vehicle clean and also making sure the individual components meet legal requirements. For example, all tyres should have a minimum tread of 1.6mm by law. Here at CARS, we recommend a minimum tread of 3mm. Our blog ‘ How to take care of your vehicle ’ details the vehicle maintenance you should undertake on a regular basis. Additional tuition – Passing your test is only the first step in your driving journey. Many individuals choose to bolster their experience by doing additional tuition, such as the Pass Plus scheme. This may expose you to several challenges that you’re yet to experience, such as driving at night. Proof of carrying out this additional tuition could also bring down your insurance premiums. You can contact CARS for advice on all things car maintenance, repairs and insurance.

Along with the overall increase in the cost of living, the costs of running a car are also on the rise. In this blog, we provide an overview of the things you should consider when working out how much it costs to run a car over time. Service & MOT costs – We advise booking your vehicle in for an annual service and MOT to ensure it remains safe and road-worthy. Whilst a service is not technically a legal requirement, it will help to maintain your car and flag up any minor issues before they turn into larger, more expensive problems. Fuel costs – While the cost of fuel may vary around the country and dependent on the brand, there are other variables to consider when estimating your fuel cost. You should consider the estimated fuel consumption of your vehicle and the fuel type (petrol or diesel). Tax – The amount of tax charged is dependent on the age of the vehicle and in some cases, the level of CO2 produced. There may also be an additional charge payable for cars with an initial list price of more than £40,000. There are several resources online to check the exact rate of tax payable for your vehicle. Insurance – Ultimately, the cost for your insurance will be calculated based on the insurance classification for your vehicle, and the level of cover chosen. We always recommend using a local broker to ensure you choose an insurer and policy suited to your individual circumstances. You can also read our blogs ‘ How do I choose the right insurance company for me? ’, ‘ What car insurance should I buy? ’ and ‘ What should I look out for when purchasing car insurance? ’ for further information. Depreciation – Whilst not technically a running cost, you should also consider the loss in value over time when estimating how much your car will cost you. Whilst most cars will depreciate over time, you can minimise this loss by keeping a record of all servicing, dealing with minor issues prior to them becoming extensive problems, cleaning your car on a regular basis and keeping the mileage low where possible. Finance – If you need to borrow money to buy a vehicle, for example via a finance arrangement, you should consider the interest and other fees associated with the repayment method. Miscellaneous Costs – We also recommend budgeting for any miscellaneous costs where possible. For example, if parts on your car start to show signs of wear and require replacement, this will usually be an additional cost. Please remember that if you’re involved an accident and need to make a claim on your car insurance, we have various excess support options available to help our customers. If you’ve been involved in an accident, have damage on your vehicle or just have a general query, don’t hesitate to get in touch!