What would you do if you didn’t have a car? Could you get to work, or do the school run? Our cars have a much bigger impact on our lives than we realise. If you suddenly had to do without, most people would flounder and not know how they are going to live the way they are used to. So why would you take any risks when it came to protecting your vehicle? And not just insuring it, but caring for it and storing it safely. The aim, when protecting your car, is to ensure that if ever it did come off the road, it would be back on it as soon as possible. 

It’s a legal requirement for you to insure your car, but you would be surprised at the amount of people that drive around without it. Sure, you probably wouldn’t claim on your insurance for a scrape or dent, but what if you’re in an accident and need to pay for a car accident lawyer and a new vehicle? Your insurance covers loss of earnings if you become injured in a crash, and will cover you if the other driver is at fault but doesn’t have insurance. 

Your MOT will roll around each year, and it is something that you have to pass before putting your car back on the road so make sure you're ready for it. When the mechanic finds a fault, they fix it. Which is why you need to find a reputable garage to perform your MOT and any services; otherwise, you could easily be paying for work that doesn’t need doing. Services, as a general rule, should be undertaken every 12,000 miles or every 12 months - whichever comes first. 

Putting the wrong fuel into your car could end up with you having for fork out to replace the entire fuel system. Putting petrol into a diesel engine is the worst combination, if you do it then avoid turning on the engine as this can cause more damage, and call for roadside assistance immediately. Changing your engine oil regularly is not just a good idea, but necessary to care for your car. Choosing the right oil is the first step, and learning how to apply it the second. 

A lot of people see their cars as their baby, so why wouldn’t you treat it to upgrades now and again? But doing this can also be a great way of caring for your car. If you replace or upgrade parts before they become a problem, you can save damage occurring to another part of your car. Things like windscreen wipers and headlights, you will be able to do yourself or have someone at the auto-parts store fit them for you. Larger or more fiddly replacements and repairs might need a specialist's attention; if you’re going for an Alloy Wheel Repair, for example, you might want someone who is skilled in that area to do it for you. 

The best place for your car to be when not in use is in a locked garage. Then in the driveway of your house. Parking on the street isn’t the best idea, and parking it where you can’t see it from your home is even worse, but sometimes there is no other choice. So make sure that your car is fitted with an alarm system, and that you park sensibly and tuck in your side mirrors. You can also buy a GPS tracker for your car so that you can find it if ever is got stolen. If you do park in front of your house, and your car is unlocked in close proximity to your key - make sure that your key is out of range.