Tips For Buying Your First Car
Buying your first car is pretty exciting. No longer do you need to rely on public transport or your friends to get you from A to B, and you have the freedom to go wherever you want. If it’s your first time purchasing a car, you might want to consider these tips before you buy.
Have A Budget In Mind
A car can be a significant expense, and whether you’ve saved up for it with savings or had a loan, like the business car finance, you want to set a budget before you start looking. Just like any big purchase, you don’t want to spend more than you can afford so be wise and know your limit. The last thing you want is a car that leaves you financially broke or one where you’ve spent too little on.
You also want to consider additional expenditures as the cost doesn’t just end with the car. Car insurance, road tax, and fuel are just a few others that can bump up the price of the vehicle. If money is an issue, consult your bank and do a little research online to see what finance options are available.
New Vs. Used
Next, you want to decide on either going with a new car or a used one. There are advantages to both but it’s up to you on what you choose. Getting a new car is going to be fairly expensive but you won’t really have to worry much about it breaking down or having any unknown damages at least for the first few years that you have it for.
Alternatively, an old car will be much cheaper, but as it’s been on the road for longer, it might be more likely to have a short shelf life. It’ll also cost a lot more money to keep up with the maintenance of the vehicle, which might not be what you want when it’s your first one.
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Make And Model
If you don’t know much about cars then knowing the make and model you want can be very challenging. With so many brands and different variations to choose from, which one do you go for?
With the make, there are plenty of car manufacturers that have been selling cars for generations so it’s always advisable to speak to other friends and family members about what they’d recommend. Local dealers can also give you an idea if you know the basics of what you want from a car. For example, if you want a small car, with a manual drive and all the latest mod cons.
You’ll want a car that suits your needs so don’t just focus on the design of the vehicle. Be sure to consider the type of fuel you require and the relevant technology and perks that you might want. The dealership might offer you extras like a Sat Nav, for a discounted price, but always compare the cost of these extras as it might not always be a good deal.
Car Hunting
There will be plenty of places that sell cars from local to used car dealers both in person and online. Always go with a trusted service and be wary if you buy from a private seller. As it’s your first car you may want to go with the new and used car dealers as they are bound by law to provide a professional service and any cars they do sell must follow the legal requirements. This means the car must be fit for purpose and legal to drive. It must be of satisfactory quality and match the details of the description that’s been given to you.
If you do end up going with a private seller, make sure to check all the paperwork, including any recent MOT tests it’s had. This is an essential service that will tell you a lot about the car’s performance. Ideally, anything that is damaged should be fixed by the current owner. Another tip to look out for is whether the mileage reflects the age and overall look of the car. If it doesn’t then that should get your alarm bells ringing about the seller. Be vigilant and detailed in your analysis of the car and have the seller go through all the fixtures and functions.
Lastly, take the car for a spin as that will truly tell you if it’s the right car for you. It’s definitely advisable to do this even if you’re sold on the car. This test drive is important to make sure that you feel comfortable driving it.
Haggle
Don’t be afraid to haggle with the dealer as you can often get a better deal than the one you started with. This is certainly something you should do if approaching a used dealership or private seller, as they would likely to offer some great discounts. Be polite but don’t let them take advantage of you. Stand your ground and walk away if they can’t offer you what you want.
When you’ve found the car of your dreams, be sure to do a few comparisons to ensure you aren’t already paying more than you should be. If buying privately, be wary if the seller goes well below the asking price. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Insure Your Car
Once you’ve bought your car, it’s imperative that you get the right insurance immediately. Insurance can be pretty costly so if money is tight for you, go with a car that sits in a lower insurance group.
There are also plenty of insurance companies out there so be sure to do your research and compare the costs. It’s essential you have the right insurance, so if you do have an unfortunate accident, you’ll be covered financially. Road Tax also ties in the insurance, with low insurance groups having very little to no cost at all.
Buying a car is a big expense, but it’s one of those exciting moments in your life so enjoy the process of shopping around to find the ideal car that’s right for you.
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Hi, I'm Kelly O'Donnell.