It’s tempting not to bother getting minor repairs or routine maintenance done on your vehicle. It takes time out of your busy day to take the vehicle in, and most people just don’t want to do it. But your vehicle is an investment, and if you don’t put in the time and effort to maintain that investment, you’re losing money. You could also be risking your safety and your family’s safety. When it comes to vehicle repair costs there are two types of expenses.
Immediate Costs vs. Delayed Costs
The two types of vehicle repair costs are immediate costs and delayed costs. Immediate costs are the obvious costs. If you have collision damage to your car or minor repairs, scratches, dings, or other damage that needs to be fixed, the impact of those costs is immediate. You know upfront what the cost of repair is, what the cost of your deductible is, and so on. You might decide to put off repairs based on the immediate cost without taking into account the delayed costs.
The delayed costs of vehicle repair are the cost of wear and tear on your vehicle that might not be working properly because of the damage that it caused. Tires can wear unevenly, causing them to wear out faster. Other parts may have to work harder because of damage, which means they will need to be fixed or replaced faster. If you leave scratches and dents, that can lead to rust or corrosion, which will mean higher bills for restoration down the line.
The immediate cost of vehicle repair will always be lower than the cost of waiting to get that damage fixed. And when you let damage go without fixing it, you also risk structural damage to your vehicle.
Structural Damage and Safety Risks
Your vehicle is a complex piece of machinery where all the parts depend on each other to function efficiently and safely. If your vehicle has damage, the systems that keep your car running and in good shape will start to break down. That can damage the car’s structural integrity and increase the risk of having an accident or a breakdown.
Decreased Value
Cars with unrepaired damage will also lose their value faster than maintained cars with repairs done quickly. If you want to protect the investment you’ve made in your vehicle and be sure that you’ll get top dollar for it when you’re ready to sell it, it’s important to get any damage repaired promptly and get routine maintenance done regularly. Your insurance company may also lower the assessed value of the vehicle based on the damage that isn’t repaired, which can impact the car’s total value if it’s in an accident.
Don’t Take Chances
Don’t take a chance with your investment or with your safety. Call ASI Collision company, a luxury Audi-certified collision repair center, to have the existing damage to your fixed and for any routine maintenance that your vehicle needs. Give us a call today or fill out our online contact form!