To wonder how the hell people are paying for this?!

[Ifrreoo]

I have an average car and cost to service it is 525. My home insurance has gone up to 450 and my car insurance is 540 (yes I’ve called round endlessly). I have 18 years no claims.

I am a higher earner. I am going to massively struggle to pay for this. I don’t understand how someone on the average income could afford this? Am I going wrong somewhere? Why am i struggling to make ends meet? How do others do it?

Should add it’s a major service but still seems excessive and this price is with me having negotiated them down from 630

People save over the year, use credit cards or go without things.

You can pay car insurance in installments. Whats included in a major service? Just curious 🤨🧐

@tiramisugelato i don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a car, I’m not saying people dont but most do.

And how would you save that much on minimum wage for example?! I don’t buy it (no pun intended)

Well, for annual bills like this, I chuck money into a pot all year round, so come the month everything is due, the cash is there. I always add an extra £50 for the next year when I budget. Have you got a fab car? I’ve got less no claims than you and fully comp has just renewed at £270!

My saving over the year gets wiped out with car and appliance maintenance. I'm on catch up after my stupid "reliable make" car cost me 3k last year.

I meant that people go without servicing it and just hope it doesn't die on them in the meantime.

@Offherrockingchair which company has insured that?! It’s only a Skoda so pretty basic 2019 reg

What on earth is your car. Mines fully comp £260 with 9 years no claims.

What on earth are you having done to your car during a service that’s £500+?!

@tiramisugelato oh I actually thought you pretty much had to service them

@ObliviousCoalmine they said brake fluid and oil filter

We plan for things and live within our means. Technically we could buy a much bigger house on our income but I’d rather stay in our smaller homely house and not have to stress about money. If you’re a high earner, I’d suggest you’ve over stretched yourself.

@Methodstothemadness skoda 2019 reg

Are you using a dealership for the service or a local mechanic, my full service is only £165. Use comparison sites, my insurance through Hastings is £245. Regarding saving costs elsewhere, look at any subscriptions you have, can you can any? Can you batch cook to reduce the food bill?

It's only really important if you plan on selling it, otherwise there's no obligation to service a car. Lots of people buy bangers, only spend what's necessary for MOT's and drive them until they die.

I have a very old car and it hasn’t had a service in far too long, can’t afford it, but last time I looked the service was ‘only’ about £180

You don’t, but you should.

It’s generally just an oil change/air and fuel filter change etc though, all things that can be done with YouTube and a free Saturday.

My home insurance is £400 a month…I’d be delighted with £450 a year! We just pay it monthly by direct debit.

The fourth year kia service (out of the seven years warranty) is about £500 so I can believe the numbers. The years prior are cheaper.

If one wishes to keep their warranty intact then you have to have the services done...

Your car insurance is expensive and so is your service. I paid £290 for the year for my car insurance and £250 for the service this year.

Well I used to service mine and I’d just ask for a “ little service” and that just seemed to cover the minimum. A full service would be a several hundred pounds and no I cannot tell you what they do differently. ( I now have a DH who’s in charge of cars )

@edwinbear a month?! You must have a lot of valuables.

I draw £25k per year net from pension and manage to do this. I save £600 per month from my income towards annual bills, including tv licence, car service tac and insurance, water bills, oil tank fills, subscriptions, remaining income is monthly bills and day to day spends. I take capital when I need for bigger purchases and holidays.

You don’t have to service them at all

most People do do some level of servicing because otherwise stuff breaks but the recommended manufacturer levels are often much more frequent than they need to be.

independent garages will quote you and usually be a lot cheaper.

i pay my car insurance monthly.