THE costs that come with motoring do not stop after you have purchased your vehicle. You may have got a bargain on Freeads, but on top of the initial costs you also have yearly MOT tests, insurance and tax. Then there is the rising cost of petrol, while continuously filling your tank, and those seemingly constant trips to the garage for repairs.

Many motoring costs are in your control. But, how can you keep those costs down and save money, ready for the day that garage bill unexpectedly takes a large portion of your monthly wage for essential maintenance?

1: Choose your car carefully

This is an initial way to ensure your keep costs down in the long-run. Along with safety and reliability, the cost of running a car should be one of the top considerations when you are choosing one. There are two types of costs you need to take into account that will vary from car to car; those you will need to pay to keep it on the road and the day-to-day running costs such as servicing and fuel.

2: Only use your car when necessary

This may seem obvious, but those short trips we do, perhaps down the road to the shops that could easily be walked or cycled, actually eat away at your petrol more than a longer journey. This is because when you drive a car that has been parked for a few hours, the engine is cold and therefore uses much more fuel for the first five miles or so.

3: Check petrol prices

It is easy to just go in to the nearest petrol station when the red light appears, but petrol and diesel costs can vary significantly. By comparing prices before you fill up, you could save yourself a huge amount. To find the cheapest fuel in your area you can enter your postcode at petrolprices.com, which will tell you the cheapest fuel price within a 10-mile radius.

4: Drive smartly

Driving smartly does not just mean keeping to the speed limit to avoid a fine and points on your license. The way you drive can also have a huge impact on the fuel used. According to the AA, you can save more than 10% if you follow a few simple rules. These include maintenance; such as checking tyre pressure and engine oil before you go; leaving promptly and combining short trips; decelerating smoothly and cutting down on the air-con. Safer driving will also help to keep your insurance premium down, as you are less likely to have an accident and make a claim on your policy.

5: Research Car Insurance

Don’t renew your car insurance without comparing quotes from other companies first, as you can often save by switching to a different provider. Thanks to the internet comparing quotes and level of insurance is easy! Comparison tools on sites such as MoneySupermarket or Compare the Market enable you to compare 100s of providers in minutes. Research shows that this can cut an average of £157 off an annual premium. You can further save your pennies by paying annually instead of monthly.

Saving these pennies where you can will ensure the pounds add up ready for when you need them!