Automotive repair is a large industry. There are many unsuspected things that can go wrong with a car, and if you do not have a warranty, you will have to find the right repair shop to trust with your car. Another thing to consider is the amount of regular maintenance people have performed on their car each year. This would include oil changes, brake jobs, flushing of fluids, or could simply be having your tires rotated for you. This type of work is typically left to the professionals because automotive repair work takes a degree of knowledge and a lot of experience to be able to be done correctly.
One thing to watch for when you are getting your automobile repaired is to make sure you are shopping around for the best prices available on parts. If you are using a shop, feel free to check online for part prices that they claim you need. Usually your mechanic will be honest with you on part pricing, but there is the occasion that they are trying to make money of the parts you need. Another thing to look out for is that the right parts are being replaced. Getting second opinions for auto repair is a smart practice unless you use the same shop for all of your needs and they are trusted amongst your family and community.
Another misconception is that any type of auto repair will cost an arm and a leg. Many simple things break on cars instead of catastrophic failures which make it very affordable for people to have their cars fixed, instead of spending more money on a new car. A trusted mechanic will be able to tell you what is wrong with your car and the best options for you to fix it. They will also offer maintenance to prevent catastrophic fixes in the future.
Maintaining a car properly is what will keep you away from getting many automotive repairs. Have your trusted mechanic create a schedule of maintenance for you if your car does not already have one. Minor maintenance such as an oil change will go a long way in keeping your car's engine at its full potential. Maintenance is very affordable and is spread out with months and months separating you from each scheduled visit, which also helps people on a budget. The key factor either way though is to choose a reputable local repair shop for any of your automotive needs, no matter how big or small.