Buying a new car is a big decision and a major purchase. You’ll be spending quite some time in the vehicle, so it’s important that you do plenty of research before making your purchase. All car brands have their own dedicated websites that will show you the features of each model and you should be able to get information from various resources online.
- Specialist car magazines and websites are a good source of information. They all publish detailed reports on the current models, and more importantly on future models that might be coming out in the next few months. They also compare their benefits with those of comparable models from other manufacturers.
- Find a nearby dealer and try to visit them at a quiet time. During the week may be better than at the weekend, for example.
- Before buying your car, take it for a test drive. Only by sitting into the car and driving it will you get a feel for whether it’s the right car for you.
- After each test drive, take some notes on how it felt so that you can remember the positives and negatives of each clearly.
- Be clear of what value you are getting for your money. Are there extras and add-ons included in the price? If not, how much will they cost?
- If you are paying for the car monthly, how much will the car cost by the time it’s completely purchased?
- Contact your car insurance company to find out if there are any additional costs or savings based on your chosen make and model.
- Safety features are very important, so make sure you know what safety features come with your car.
- Also, if there is an option to buy extra safety features this may be worth negotiating before you purchase.
- Don’t be afraid to negotiate for a better price, particularly if you are trading in an old car. Car salespeople are used to negotiating so talk to them and see what they can do for you.
- Above all, don’t rush your purchase. Take your time and be happy with your decision.
Tips For Buying A Used Car
You can buy a used car from a motor dealer or privately from its present owner.
- Buying from a dealer - The main advantage of this is that you can see a number of vehicles in the dealership and easily compare their ages, conditions and prices. You’ll usually get some form of guarantee so you know that if something goes wrong, you will have a line of recourse. These guarantees can cover you for up to one year or two years with an additional payment, depending on the dealership.
- Buying privately - If you decide to buy your vehicle privately, you will need to keep your eyes open for the right car. Most people promote their vehicles through selected websites which allow you to narrow down your search through make, model and price, so do plenty of research.
- The main disadvantage of buying privately is that you don’t get any form of guarantee. So, unless you are a mechanical expert, get a mechanic.
- Always ask to see the log book or vehicle registration certificate. This will show you the name and address of the previous owners who will probably be able to tell you much more about the car’s history than a dealer can.
- Another important thing to check is to make sure that the car isn’t still subject to any outstanding finance agreement. If it is, then the car may still belong to the bank or finance company and the seller may have no legal right to sell it.
Consider The Additional Running Costs Of Your Car
Don’t forget to factor in the cost of insurance, road tax, fuel, as well as servicing and spare parts.
- The cost of your insurance will depend on a variety of factors so it’s best to get quotes before you commit to buying a car.
- You should consider carefully how economical or expensive your chosen vehicle is likely to be. The cost of fuel will vary depending on the size and performance of the car.
- Servicing and parts will vary depending on the car. Your garage will give you an estimate on these costs.