Low on Cash? How to Pay for Car Repairs with No Money

When you’re short on cash, a car accident could ruin your life.

Your car is your livelihood. It gets your kids to school and you to work. Can’t afford the repairs necessary for it to function? That feels like being stranded on a deserted island.

You need to figure out how to get your car fixed without any cash. If not, things can go from bad to worse very quickly.

You could lose your job and then not be able to pay other bills. Debt will stack up and you’ll find yourself in an endless pit of despair.

Don’t let the problems with your car derail your life!

There are some ways to get your car fixed for little or no money down. Read on to learn some ideas for how to pay for car repairs with no money.

Make Sure the Work Isn’t Already Covered

First things first: Check to make sure your repair job is not already covered by your car insurance provider. Some people freak out too quickly and forget this obvious step.

In most situations, if you’ve been involved in an accident there will be a co-pay for your repair. It’s also worth looking into what type of services your credit card has. A lot of major credit card providers offer emergency roadside help.

Your car’s dealership is another good resource for this. If your car is still under warranty they will do any repairs you need for free.

Ask Friends and Family For Money

If your insurance can’t help you, then you’re going to have to reach out to people who are close to you. Trusted family and friends might be the best resource to help pay for car repairs.

If you borrow their money, and they don’t charge you interest, you’re already saving hundreds. You could even luck out and they might give you the money as a gift.

Not many people have the luxury of rich family and friends. However, if you can, keep the money in the family so you don’t become bogged down by interest.

Do It Yourself

Even if you don’t consider yourself a handy man or women you may be able to do the repairs on your own. With the aid of the internet, the DIY route has never been easier. You can find a step by step how-to video guide for just about any automobile repair.

As savvy as you are, there will be some repairs out of your scope. You may not have the appropriate tools needed for the job. Or it could be dangerous for you to attempt on your own.

Don’t worry, there are still other options for you!

Charge It

A credit card can be a great way to pay for car repairs. As long as you pay off the credit within a given time, you can ensure there will be no interest on the services. You don’t want to end up spending more on this repair in the long run.

Some providers even offer assistance in the form of a warranty that covers bad repairs. If your mechanic doesn’t get the job done, you can get a reimbursement.

The roadblock here can be if your credit card is maxed out and you have no credit available. You’ll have to shop around for a new card that will approve you.

Get a Pawn Shop Loan

Pawn shops offer loans based on items you put up as collateral. The more valuable the item, the more money you can borrow.

While this can be a life-saving service in the moment, it can come back to bite you in the you-know-what. If you aren’t able to pay the loan off in time, the pawn shop will then own your item. Luckily, some services offer renewals or extensions.

However, this requires additional money to be put down. You’ll end up paying more money on your service than necessary again. If you’re getting a pawn shop loan, it’s better to be safe than sorry and to pay it back ASAP!

Ask a Handy Friend To Do the Repairs

People have been bartering for services for centuries. It’s only recently that the quid pro quo economy has grown out of style. But this is a great way to get your car repair done for no money at all.

What you offer will be based on with your specific skill set or could just be general labor. You are both getting something done with zero cash exchanged. It’s the definition of a win-win.

Find a Friendly Mechanic You Can Trust

You’ll never get a mechanic to give you work for free, but there are deals you can make with them.

If you’re cash poor, try to work out a payment plan. As long as you meet the agreed upon installments, they’ll be happy to work with you. A deal like this could set up a relationship with a trusted mechanic for the rest of your car’s life!

Secure a Payday or Title Loan

Payday loans should be the last option to cover car repair. However, if you have a bad credit score, these types of loans may be your only option. You’re very likely to get the money you need for the job up front, but you might end up paying for it later.

Title loans are unregulated so they can drive up huge amounts of interest. If you don’t pay off the loan in time, that huge interest can balloon even bigger.

Use these services carefully. Don’t let your car repairs break your bank!

How to Pay For Car Repairs With No Money

Being without a car is at best a big inconvenience. At worst, it can put your livelihood in jeopardy. But, now you know how to pay for car repairs with no money, so there’s no need to worry!

Want to read more articles like this one? Then check out these auto repair blogs.