From replacing wiper blades to clearing up a scratch: 5 car faults you can fix yourself

If your paint gets scratched or your tyre picks up a puncture, your first instinct may be to call the experts for help, but that could cost you. Here are five things you can fix yourself.

It's no secret that motoring costs have soared in recent years.

Even if you don't use your vehicle that often, simply owning one has become extortionately expensive. 

Car insurance prices soared 58% in 2023 alone, according to Confused.com, while data from Intelligent Motoring suggests the cost of maintenance and repairs is up 40% since 2018.

With that in mind, it's important you take steps to minimise your outlays wherever possible.

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While most of us have a fairly limited knowledge of maintaining a motor, the truth is there are many issues that you can easily fix yourself without having to spend hundreds on calling out a professional.

Let's take a look at five relatively straightforward ones.

Removing scratches

While we all dream of keeping our car in tip-top condition, accidents can happen. 

If you’re unfortunate enough to scratch your car – or have it scratched by an incompetent driver – you could repair it yourself if it’s not too serious.

According to review site Carbuyer.co.uk, on-the-spot repairs for scrapes and scratches could cost you between £100 and £200 for minor damage to a single panel, so it's certainly worth trying.

Below is a video by consumer site Which? to help you get rid of those pesky, unsightly scratches.

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Repair a punctured tyre

Getting stranded at the side of the road with a flat tyre and no spare is a nightmare scenario for many people – and can be worrying if it happens at night.

So it's worth being prepared for this and keeping a sealant and compressor in your car boot.

The RAC video below explains how to go about repairing a tyre if the puncture is not too serious.

Of course, make sure you’re in a safe spot and that your personal safety isn’t at risk before commencing a repair. If this is not possible, you should call someone for help.

You would also need to replace the damaged tyre as soon as possible, even after the tyre has been inflated.

Halfords offers a puncture repair service, but it will set you back £25.

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Replace a flat tyre

If you have a serious puncture or a spare tyre, it’s always handy to be able to know how to change a tyre.

The RAC offers a useful video on how to safely change a tyre and reveals what you need in advance.

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Change your windscreen wipers

You don't want to be caught out in the rain with windscreen wipers that aren't up to the job.

Car sales site Webuyanycar reveals an easy way for you to remove and change wipers.

You can buy a wiper blade from as little as £6. While you have to buy new wiper blades, you can avoid paying for a fitting, which could cost approximately £4 for both blades.

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Jumpstart your car

Admittedly most motorists will already know this one, but it's worth including for the few who don't and find themselves stranded with a flat battery.

To state the obvious, you'll need access to jump leads and a second vehicle with a charged battery – avoid using a hybrid or electric car as this can cause damage.

Before you jumpstart the car, the RAC recommends consulting your owner’s manual and checking for obvious signs of damage to the batteries or jump leads.

Make sure to remove any metal jewellery and ensure nothing metal touches the terminals on the battery.

If there’s obvious damage or you’re not feeling confident, you should contact a professional to jump-start the car for you.

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If you’re happy to go ahead, the RAC has a full video tutorial below:

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