Saving on auto repairs

[Lifeblood]

After my mother-in-law had a minor fender-bender, her minivan needed a new headlight, front bumper, and associated repairs. Here's how I saved money:

1) I purposefully avoided the repair shop recommended by the dealer as they have a reputation of high prices (and long wait times); rather, I tried a small shop recommended by neighbors. This shop quoted $1,723, which was understood to be less than the other shop. Since I don't know much about car repair, I would have normally accepted this quote just to be done with this business. However, empowered by a bit of Mustachian motivation, I took a little extra time to get a second estimate, which came in at $1,330, for an easy savings of $393.

2) As an added bonus, the second estimate was so complete that it included the parts numbers. The owner agreed that I could supply the parts on my own. I spent a little time on ebay and bought the required parts for $206, which brought the initial estimate from $1,330 to $758, for a savings of $366 ($572 less $206).

Total savings: at least $759.
 

[MrCash]

Awesome!  It's amazing how a little effort can create so much value. 

[Hamster]

Nice work!

[Milspecstache]

That's amazing!  Finding a shop that will allow you to bring your own parts in is a very lucky find!  I have had a few favorite shops that allowed that but most won't do it.

[econberkeley]

Don't shops charge for checking your car and giving you an estimate?

[MrCash]

Don't shops charge for checking your car and giving you an estimate?

Some will.  It just depends on who it is.  It helps if you know the mechanic. 

[luigi49]

No insurance?

[Hamster]

No insurance?

It's usually much cheaper in the long run to keep your deductible as high as possible and/or to carry only liability insurance. On average, you spend more on premiums over a lifetime than on the cost of repairs. That is how insurance companies make a profit.

[Lifeblood]

No insurance?

In this case, insurance covered the cost of the other car's damage, but my dear mother-in-law didn't have collision coverage, so we had to eat that one.

[Exflyboy]

If you want to be really badass learn to fix it yourself...:)

See before and after pics below.. All done in my shop..:)

[Lifeblood]

If you want to be really badass learn to fix it yourself...:)

See before and after pics below.. All done in my shop..:)

As my stubble grows, I definitely plan to learn to fix more things myself. For now, baby steps! Good work on the car! Next step, get rid of it in place of a bike! ;-)

[2527]

Impressive!

[Exflyboy]

If you want to be really badass learn to fix it yourself...:)

See before and after pics below.. All done in my shop..:)

As my stubble grows, I definitely plan to learn to fix more things myself. For now, baby steps! Good work on the car! Next step, get rid of it in place of a bike! ;-)

Indeed.. But as the car cost me 350 bucks and I use it to tow my boat and utility trailers its way too useful to get rid of. Plus we live in the country on some acerage so we need something to haul stuff with. Actually I just quit my job where I was doing 600miles a week to commute in that car for over a year..

I rebuilt the engine and manual transmission and have a total of about $1400 for a pretty decent car..

Biking weather is coming to the Pacific North West soon they tell me...:)

Frank