'I run a car garage – drivers must look out for five warning signs or risk a huge bill'

Owning and driving a car, whether it's brand new, second-hand, or nearly-new, can be a costly experience. Not only do you have to fork outfor petrol or diesel, but there's also insuranceand various taxes to consider.

Depending on your income, these costs can be manageable over the course of a year. However, it can become prohibitively expensive when something goes wrong.

While we all hope our cars won't break down during their time with us, inevitably something always goes awry, be it a tyre, an oil leak, or the front suspensionbreaking.

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Whatever misfortune befalls your motor, the outcome is usually a bill that runs into three, four, or even five figures. But there are ways motorists can mitigate the risk of a disaster or prevent one altogether.

According to garage owner Rebecca Pullan, there are five warning signs drivers can keep an eye out for to avoid shelling out thousands of pounds to fix their beloved, or essential, set of wheels.

The first sign to watch out for, says Rebecca, Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman-accredited Carmaster Garage, is squealing brakes. This could indicate that the brakes are wearing thin and losing their effectiveness.

Rebecca has highlighted that new brake pads can cost approximately £130-£150 per axle, but delaying maintenance could lead to a more expensive repair involving both pads and discs, potentially costing £350-£400 per axle.

She cautioned: "What starts as a simple pad replacement can quickly damage other parts of the system if left too long. Think of it like a smoke alarm for your car - your ears are often the first warning something isn't right."

She also pointed out that a vibrating steering wheel at higher speeds might indicate uneven tyre wear or unbalanced wheels, which can be rectified with a wheel alignment or tracking service for just £20-£40.

However, Rebecca warned that neglecting this issue could result in costly tyre replacements and suspension damage, leading to a significantly higher bill. She explained: "It doesn't feel like a major problem, but left unchecked, it can put stress on your suspension and steering."

Another important indicator is the activation of warning lights on the dashboard, which serve as an alert to drivers that there may be an underlying issue with their vehicle.

Rebecca mentioned that tyres becoming bald, or wearing out, is a critical warning sign. In the UK, the legal minimum tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm.

Opting for a tyre replacement is the most cost-effective solution, but neglecting tread depth could lead to heftier costs, such as fines from the authorities. Moreover, insufficient tread reduces grip and significantly raises the risk of accidents, particularly on wet roads.

The fifth warning to watch out for is clunking sounds while driving. Rebecca points out that this could indicate a broken suspension, which often leads to pricey repairs due to the high stress endured by these parts.

Nevertheless, the more you ignore these noises, the steeper your repair bill might climb. Rebecca warned: "Ignoring these sounds risks breakdowns and huge repair costs. Learn your car's normal noises - early action saves big."