Could it happen to you? You’re out driving, your car suddenly makes a loud, terrifying noise, and then stops working entirely. Now the first thing that comes to mind for a car fixed.
Your heart sinks as you realize that your car needs to be towed and repaired immediately, but you don’t have the money in your savings account to cover the costs.
In fact, the money in your checking account barely covers the cost of the tow truck itself! What do you do? Don’t panic – there are ways to get your car repaired even if you can’t afford it with these tips!
A lot of people have been in this position before – you need your car fixed and you can’t afford it, but you need it to keep going to work and taking your kids to school and everything else.
You don’t want to take out another loan or sell off your valuables, so what can you do? Here are some tips on how to get your car fixed without spending a fortune on it.
You need your car, and it needs to be fixed – but you can’t afford the repair! What are you going to do? How can you pay for the expense if you don’t have enough money? Don’t panic!
Even if you don’t have enough money, there are ways to pay your auto mechanic without having to use your own savings or credit card. Use these tips on how to get my car fixed even if I can’t afford it and get back on the road again as soon as possible.
Ways To Get Your Car Fixed With No Money
Sell Some Stuff
One way to come up with the money for car repairs is to sell some of your stuff. If you have any unwanted items lying around, now is the time to get rid of them. Have a garage sale, sell items online, or take them to a consignment shop.
You can also see if there are any recycling programs in your area that will pay you for scrap metal or other materials. Try a part-time job: You may be able to pick up an extra shift at work or start working weekends as well.
Even if it’s just picking up one shift per week, it might be enough to help cover some costs. Contact family and friends: Ask your friends and family members for loans; they might be able to offer more than you think!
Offer services: If you’re handy with fixing things like cars, offer those services for free in exchange for a donation. The key here is to keep asking until someone says yes! Keep asking friends and family until someone says yes!
Free Cars From The Government 2023
Seek Out Free Services
Community centers and non-profit organizations may also offer these services. You can also check with your local government offices to see if they have any programs that can help you.
If you’re a student, faculty member, or staff member at a university, college, or trade school, the organization may be able to help out through its own on-campus auto shop.
Some schools even offer assistance for off-campus students who are enrolled in their classes or receive some other form of assistance from the school. Keep an eye out for flyers near campus or inquire with the administration office.
Contact The Company Directly: Not only do many companies offer financial assistance, but they will typically work with you to establish a payment plan.
Do not hesitate to contact them – after all, if something goes wrong with your car when it’s still under warranty and/or maintenance is needed, it could end up costing more money than what you could afford to pay upfront.
Ask For Help From Friends And Family
If you have a close friend or family member who is mechanically inclined, see if they would be willing to help you fix your car. Even if they can’t do the repairs themselves, they may be able to give you some advice or point you in the right direction.
If you don’t have anyone in your personal life who can help, try reaching out to a local automotive repair shop. The staff there may be able to offer some advice or recommendations.
Borrow Money From Online Lending Sites
If you can’t afford to pay for your car repairs outright, you may be able to borrow the money you need from an online lending site.
Sites like LendingClub and Prosper offer personal loans that can be used for a variety of purposes, including car repairs. To qualify, you’ll need good credit and will likely have to provide collateral.
The interest rate on these loans is typically higher than what you’d get from a traditional bank, but it may be worth it if you need the money right away.
Just keep in mind that even though they are relatively easy to apply for, you should only take out one of these loans if you’re absolutely sure you can repay it.
Owe Money On Your Credit Card? Pay It Off
If you’re like most people, you probably have at least one credit card. And if you’re like most people, you probably carry a balance on that card from month to month.
This can be a vicious cycle – you make minimum payments, which barely cover the interest accruing on your balance, so your debt never seems to shrink. Interest rates on credit cards vary by card type and issuer.
Generally speaking, however, the lower your balance when you make a payment or two payments in succession (depending on how much time remains before the next due date), the less expensive those payments will be because more of your balance has been paid off already.
If this sounds familiar, don’t panic – there are ways to get your car repaired even if you can’t afford it.
Look For Deals And Incentives (Like Groupon)
If you find yourself in a bind and need to get your car repaired but don’t have the money, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to get your car repaired without breaking the bank.
- One option is to look for deals and incentives, like Groupon. Many businesses offer discounts for first-time customers or for customers who sign up for their newsletter.
- Another option is to look for a company that offers a warranty on their repairs. This way, if something goes wrong, you won’t have to pay for it out of pocket.
- Finally, if all else fails, you can always try to negotiate with the repair shop.
Keep in mind that while having your car towed to a shop is usually free, you’ll have to pay for it to be towed back home once repairs are complete.
Also keep in mind that repairing your car may not be covered by warranty and can get expensive if you don’t know what parts need replacing or how much they will cost.
Lastly, remember that when all else fails, you can always try to negotiate with your mechanic. Some will offer a discount if you simply ask them nicely!
Do Online Research About Your Car Issue
If your car has broken down and you don’t have the money to fix it, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to get your car repaired without spending a lot of money.
The first thing you should do is some online research about your car issue. See if there are any online tutorials or videos that can help you fix the problem yourself.
If the problem is more serious, you can look for nearby places that offer free or low-cost car repairs. You can also ask friends or family members if they know anyone who could help fix your car.
Finally, if you still can’t afford to get your car repaired, you can try asking for financial assistance from charities or crowd-funding websites. In most cases, these groups will require some type of compensation in return for their funding.
These types of options may not be ideal because you’ll need to pay them back later, but it’s better than not being able to drive your car at all!
Some Tips to Get Your Car Repaired
Step 1 : Make A List Of The ThingsThat Need Repairing
If your car has broken down and you’re wondering how you’re going to afford the repairs, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to get your car repaired even if you don’t have a lot of money.
The first step is to make a list of everything that needs to be fixed. You’ll know exactly what to do and how much it will cost. Once you’ve made your list, go through it with the mechanic.
Tell them about any problems that need to be addressed as well as how long ago they started happening.
In some cases, there may not be anything wrong with your car other than needing an oil change or new tires but having this conversation with a mechanic could save you time and money in the future when something more serious does happen.
If you know what’s wrong with your car, tell them so they can give you an estimate on how much it would cost to fix each problem. For example, replacing your brakes might only cost $100 while fixing the engine could be upwards of $2000.
Keep in mind, however, that the longer you wait to get these repairs done, the more expensive they’re going to be because most auto shops charge by how many hours work is required.
Step 2 : Start With The Cheapest Fixes
If your car has broken down and you don’t have any money, don’t panic. There are still some things you can do to try and get it up and running again. Start with the cheapest fixes first, like checking the oil level or topping up the coolant.
If that doesn’t work, then you can move on to more expensive repairs.
For example, if the radiator is leaking, there’s a good chance you’ll need a new one for about $400-$600. The next most common thing that needs replacing is probably tires which will set you back around $200-$300 each time.
Remember that these prices depend on how much of a problem they are and how old your car is so there might be some variation.
Once you’ve repaired those two problems then it’s time to look at other cheaper items like brakes which will cost about $150-$250 for all four corners depending on the age of your vehicle and whether they’re just worn out or completely broken
Step 3 : Be Smart About How You’ll Pay For The Repairs
Once you’ve determined how much the repairs will cost, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll pay for them. If you have car insurance, check with your provider to see if they cover the cost of repairs.
Many credit cards also offer some form of rental car insurance. Another option is to set up a payment plan with the mechanic or repair shop. Many places are willing to work with you if you’re upfront about your financial situation.
You could also try reaching out to family and friends for help. Whatever you do, don’t put the repairs on a credit card that you can’t afford to pay off in full.
For example, if you need $1,000 in repairs and have a balance on your credit card of $2,000, it will take you eight months to pay off that debt. Make sure that you’re not taking on more than you can afford to pay back.
And remember that there’s always help available if you’re struggling financially. Many cities have free budgeting and financial management resources available for low-income residents and those in economic hardship.
Step 4 : Save Money On Tires
If you’re driving on bald tires, it’s time for a change. Not only is it unsafe, but you’re also risking a blowout (and a hefty repair bill). Plus, worn-out tires can lower your gas mileage by up to 3%.
To save money on tires, start by shopping around. Look for sales and discounts at different stores and compare prices. You can also buy used tires, which can be a great way to save money.
Just be sure to inspect them carefully before you buy. You should also get your tires rotated every 5,000 miles or so to help them last longer.
And finally, make sure you keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. This will help improve your gas mileage and extend the life of your tires.
Step 5 : Consider Getting A Loan
One option for getting your car repaired when you don’t have any money is to take out a loan. This can be a tough decision to make, as you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of taking on debt.
On the plus side, a loan can help you get your car repaired quickly so you can get back on the road. And if you’re able to make payments on time, it can help improve your credit score.
On the downside, however, you’ll need to pay interest on the loan, which can add up over time. Plus, if you’re not able to make payments, it could damage your credit score.
To avoid this, find out what the loan’s interest rate will be before you agree to anything. The other major consideration with loans is how much it will cost you in terms of monthly payments.
Consider this carefully before deciding whether or not borrowing money is right for you!
Loans aren’t always an option, however. Some people don’t have enough credit to qualify for a loan, and others might not be able to afford payments if they’re not able to make up for lost income while their car is being repaired.
For instance, if you can no longer make it to work until your car is fixed, you’ll need to factor in how long that will take and how much you’ll need to pay someone else each month while your car is being worked on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get my car repaired if I can’t afford it?
You can look into special financing options, credit cards, or even take out a personal loan. You can also try to negotiate with the mechanic or find a cheaper option.
What are some special financing options for car repairs?
You can look into 0% APR credit cards, loans from family and friends, or even tap into your home equity. You can also try to negotiate with the mechanic or find a cheaper option.
Can I use a credit card to pay for my car repairs?
Yes, you can use a credit card to pay for your car repairs. A lot of people do this because they have an interest-free period on their credit card that lasts anywhere from six months to one year.
What happens if I don’t have enough money saved up in my savings account?
If you don’t have enough money saved up in your savings account then there are still options available for getting your car fixed when you’re broke. Read the above article for more information visit Low Income Assistance.
