DRIVERS can bag these five gadgets and apps to help drop the cost of running their car – and put money back in their pocket.
Running a car can be expensive – it sets the average 17-24 year old back a whopping £2,400 a year.
Prices will have nudged up even further than this due to the soaring cost of fuel.
Petrol prices surged above 140p per litre for the first time in a decade last week according to the AA – piling pressure on household finances.
But there are ways to help make running your car more money-friendly.
We round up the best gadgets that won't break the bank and could help you maintain your car for less.
Remember to compare prices online before you splash out.
You might find the same – or similar – item for less elsewhere.
iTrack Mini Wireless GPS Tracker
- Halfords, £45 – buy now
We've all been there: you've parked your car somewhere in the car park, but don't have a clue where it is.
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To help make things easier, you could get this GPS tracker to see the exact location of your car at all times.
You'll need to download the iTrack Live app though, which costs an extra £20 a year on top of the price of buying the gadget.
You'll be able to see where your car is in real time, and also see where your car has been up to 90 days previously.
It could be very handy if your car has been stolen – you'll be able to track it through the app.
This could save you the cost of recovering your stolen motor – or even worse, having to replace it, which could cost you thousands of pounds.
Halfords Essentials 4-in-1 Jump Starter
- Halfords, £50 – buy now
If your car runs out of battery, it can be a nightmare.
It can mean that your car simply refuses to start – and you could have to fork out money to get an emergency call out to get back up and running.
But you can afford this expense – and hassle – if you have a jump starter.
This one from Halfords is £50 – and it can jump start 12V vehicles up to 2litres.
It might be a good idea to invest in one if you know you're going to keep your car parked for a long period of time.
Streetwize SWDTG Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge
- Amazon, £4.76 – buy now
Got a flat tyre? If you get caught driving with one, you could be slapped with a £100 fine.
The tell-tale signs of having a flat tyre is if your steering feels funny when you're driving, or you're slowing down for no reason, the RAC says.
But you can avoid being caught out and check whether your tyre is pumped up enough with this pressure gauge.
It's under a fiver from Amazon – and could help keep your car in good condition.
Refurbished Nextbase 122 Dash Cam
- Halfords, £27.99 – buy now
If you're unfortunate to be involved in a car accident, then you could be facing big costs for the insurance, claims and repair costs.
Brits fork out an average of £415 on car accidents – and it could be even higher if you're finding it difficult to prove that you weren't to blame, even if it wasn't your fault.
Installing a dash cam could be a good idea to get to help protect you in this instance.
It will capture what has happened on the road – so you'll be able to prove what happened and cover yourself if you weren't at fault.
PetrolPrices.com
- Free via Google Play or the App Store
Filling up your car is getting more expensive as petrol prices surge.
If you're looking to get a full tank, it's a good idea to compare prices at different forecourts so you're getting the best deal.
Petrolprices.com is an app that shows how much petrol stations near you are charging for fuel.
You'll be able to find the best price on the move too.
It's free to download via Google Play or the App Store.
Stoplock 'Pro' Car Steering Wheel Lock
- Amazon, £45.45 – buy now
Another way of reducing the risk of getting your car stolen – and having to foot the bill for this – is buying a steering wheel lock.
This one from Amazon is £45.45 and is made our of hardened metal.
It could make it harder for criminals to drive away with your car – and off put them from wanting to steal it in the first place.
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