M is for...

Maintenance packs

Strictly speaking, you don’t fit these to your car, but it pays to think about servicing early on, as most pre-paid deals cannot be purchased once you’ve taken delivery. 

MINI popularised the concept of service packs with its tlc programme, and the benefits are obvious. Not only does paying up front help you to budget your outgoings, but many packages are effectively subsidised by the manufacturer, so they’re better value than having servicing done on spec. Our Volkswagen Golf GTD long-termer is a perfect example. Its first service late last year set us back more than £300, yet the firm’s pre-paid deal for three years of maintenance costs only £299! 

The MINI tlc scheme provides five years of cover for only £249, and the package is part of the car, so subsequent owners can take advantage of this deal, too. 

Ticking the box could even help you to get more for your model when you sell it. The likes of Renault and Citroen have jumped on the bandwagon, and if you’re unsure about the cost-effectiveness of an offer, simply ring up for some servicing quotes – you’ll be amazed at the savings to be had.