The downside of having more than one car in the family is that every now and then, several or all the cars will need some kind of attention. When you're operating on a limited budget, this can become a difficult situation to handle.

The solution to this is to, of course, prioritize the repairs. However, this is easier said than done. However, there are factors that you can use to decide which repairs should come before others. This can help you to manage even if your budget is fixed.

How Often and/or Urgently is a Car Needed

The convertible that you take out a few times during summer is an example of a car that you won't want to put on top of your list. However, the car that you use to drive to and from work, to drop off your kids or to shop for groceries is definitely one you can't do without.

Cars that play a vital role in the most important activities, such as generating income or getting the kids to school, must be given priority because without them, life as you know it must change.

How Extensive and/or Expensive are the Repairs?

Extensive repairs will mean the car will spend a lot of time at the auto repair shop, and expensive repairs may require more cash than you're able to get in a short period of time.

If a car is required to perform important regular duties and the repairs are going to take several weeks, prioritizing these repairs may not be as impactful as they need to be. If the repairs are too expensive, they may eat into your budget and affect other duties, and this can nullify the usefulness of the vehicle. It may be wiser to prioritize the faster and/or less expensive repairs if the car can be used to achieve the desired objectives.

Can the Vehicle Be Safely Driven?

There are certain situations where repairs can be postponed if the vehicle is still drivable. However, the vehicle should only be driven in this condition if there is little risk of causing further damage that would be much more expensive. Such a car should also only be driven if it's safe to do so.

Repairs to systems such as the AC and cosmetic damage can be placed in this category. This is because the car can safely operate with these issues even if it means a little discomfort for the driver.  

For more information, reach out to a company like Terwood Auto Repair.