Beware The Extra Costs Of Recalls
Brian O Sutter
Recalls
Over the last two years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has started seriously cracking down on defective automobiles. Between their newfound vigilance and some high-profile defects which have led to injuries and even deaths, the years 2014 and 2015 have far surpassed all others in the number of recalls. These recalls are performed at the manufacturer’s expense, of course, but some dealers are taking advantage of your stop by their shop to make a little extra profit.The Upsell
While your car is getting repaired, it makes sense to have the mechanic give your vehicle a good once over to see if there’s anything else that needs some professional attention. After all, it’ll save you having to haul it back in later when something has gone wrong enough for you to notice on your own.
However, you should always take care what you authorize the mechanic to do. Car mechanics have a strong incentive to err on the side of caution since the more work you have done, the more money they make. You should absolutely keep your car in good shape, of course, and doing so will ensure that it will last for years without any serious breakdowns or malfunctions, but at the same time you can’t take everything the mechanic says at face value.
Dealerships also have other sales options beyond preventative maintenance and repair work. They have a lot full of cars just waiting for new owners, after all, and what if one of them turned out to be you? You have to admit, the vehicle you brought in is unsafe – the manufacturer wouldn’t have recalled it unless there was some sort of defect in the design or the parts. So why not go in for something new, something with a pedigree of safety?
Of course, given the current trend of auto recalls, it’s entirely likely that whatever new car you buy will also get recalled within a few years. If safety is your concern, then there isn’t much sense in getting something new instead of relying on a vehicle that’s already gone through its recall. More importantly, a car is never something you should purchase on a whim.
Keeping Costs Reasonable
These days, the average new car goes for over $33,000, and a decent used car can cost half that. It isn’t an expense you should take lightly, and the proper response to any high-pressure car salesperson is to leave the lot entirely. No matter how fast your dream car is apparently leaving the lot, it’s not worth dealing with more debt than you can handle.
When it comes time to get a new car, your first stop shouldn’t be the dealership, it should be your bank. They’ll be the ones providing the loan, after all, and so they’ll be the ones who know just how much car you can afford. Even if you prefer to lease, you’ll still need to get your financial ducks in a row before you take on any sort of significant monthly payment. Generally speaking, you should avoid spending much more than a third of your income on persistent payments, including housing, car, all your insurances, and student loans.
With the growing complexity of new vehicles and the increasing standards for safety, frequent vehicle recalls are becoming less a rare emergency measure and more a standard feature to go along with your seat belts and airbags. Just because they’re free, however, doesn’t mean you can afford to drop your guard when you visit your local dealership. Not every kind of product should be purchased on a whim, but every kind of salesperson is always on the lookout for the impulse buyer.