Know which car repairs can wait and which can't
When the budget is tight, guessing which maintenance to defer can cost you thousands. Enter your car's details and get a clear, prioritized list of what needs attention now and what can safely wait.
Check Your RiskYour Vehicle
Last Service Dates
Leave blank if you don't remember or it was never done.
Risk Assessment
Fill in your vehicle details and click "Assess My Risk" to see your prioritized maintenance list.
Estimated total to address all overdue items: $0
Costs are rough averages. Actual prices vary by shop and region.
How to use this meter
Start with what you know
Enter your car's year, make, model, and current mileage. Then fill in the last service date for each item. If you don't remember a date, leave it blank. The meter will treat it as overdue and flag it accordingly. You can always update later when you find your records.
Read the urgency levels
Critical means your safety is at risk right now. Think worn brake pads, bald tires, or a loose steering component. High means expensive damage is likely if you wait much longer, like a timing belt near its limit. Moderate items should be done soon but won't leave you stranded. Low items are mostly comfort or convenience.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many people skip the timing belt because it seems fine. But when it snaps, the engine can be destroyed. Others ignore transmission fluid because the car still shifts. By the time it grinds, the repair costs thousands. Don't confuse oil change intervals either. Severe driving (short trips, towing, extreme heat) means more frequent changes.
Scenario: High-mileage vehicle
If your car is over 100,000 miles, the timing belt, spark plugs, and transmission fluid become top priorities. A 2012 Honda Accord at 130,000 miles with no timing belt replacement is a ticking clock. Address that before anything cosmetic. Coolant and power steering fluid also age out and can cause overheating or steering failure.
Scenario: Low-mileage daily driver
If you drive less than 8,000 miles a year, time matters as much as mileage. Brake fluid absorbs moisture every 2 years regardless of miles. Rubber hoses and belts dry out. Even if the mileage interval hasn't been reached, a 5-year-old car with 30,000 miles still needs attention on age-sensitive items.
Save and revisit
Click "Save Locally" to store your data in your browser. Come back after each repair to update your dates and see your risk drop. You can also print the checklist to take to your mechanic or keep in your glove box.
Frequently asked questions
What if I don't know when I last did a service?
Leave the date blank. The meter will assume it's overdue and flag it as high priority. When you find your records, update the date for a more accurate reading.
Why is the timing belt so high on the list?
A broken timing belt can destroy your engine. Replacement costs $400 to $1,000, but engine repair from a snapped belt runs $2,000 to $4,000. It's the single most expensive deferral.
Can I use this for any car?
Yes. The presets cover common makes, but you can enter any vehicle and set custom intervals based on your owner's manual.
How often should I update my data?
Update your mileage and any new service dates every month or after each repair. The saved data stays in your browser, so come back anytime to check your status.
What's the difference between critical and high?
Critical means safety is at immediate risk (brakes, steering, tires). High means expensive damage is likely if you wait much longer (timing belt, transmission fluid). Both need attention soon, but critical items should be addressed first.