What To Look For When Buying Your First Car

0
702

Everyone remembers their first car – while it is usually not the most exciting vehicle, it is the one which gave you an incredible amount of independence and freedom so people always look back fondly on this vehicle. It can also be an intimidating experience purchasing your first car if you don’t know how to look for a suitable one, so read on for the main steps to follow.

Budget

First, you need to set a budget for how much you can afford. Keep in mind that in addition to the cost of the vehicle you will also have fuel, insurance, road tax and various other costs so you need to factor these into your budget too.

If you want to save some money, you can consider purchasing a secondhand car. It’s not difficult to find newer units with minimal usage, so you don’t have to worry about only finding old models.

Research

Next, you should start thinking about what your needs are from the vehicle so that you can come up with a shortlist. As a first car, it is generally a smart idea to opt for something small that is not particularly powerful. If you’re the only one who will ride the car, a four-seater model will suffice. On the other hand, if you need space to accommodate more people, you may opt for a van. There are also lots of vehicles which are particularly well-suited to new drivers to consider.

Where To Buy

More often than not, people will buy a used vehicle as their first car because it is cheaper and you can get more for your money. While it might be tempting to go with a private seller, this can be dangerous so you are better off going to an experienced used car dealer.

Visit a few dealerships in your area to check available vehicles and their prices. It’s helpful to evaluate various offers before settling on a car to ensure you’d get the one you like for a great price. You may also opt to hire a car buying service if you’re struggling to purchase a car independently.

Inspection & Test Drive

Before you pay for your desired car, it is important to give the vehicle a thorough inspection both inside and out. There are guides online which can help you to give a thorough inspection but you may also want to bring a parent or friend who can provide another set of eyes. Look for any visible damage to the vehicle if you’re buying a used car. Also, check the car features like lights and air conditioning to ensure everything is working. For the test drive, try out as many manoeuvres as you can and pay attention for any faults that the car has and whether or not it is a comfortable drive. For instance, check the brakes and see whether they feel weak or loose. It’s vital to spot any anomalies in the car before you purchase it to avoid accidents on the road.

Negotiate

If you have found the right car then you can then move onto negotiating with the dealer – you might be surprised at just how much you could save so it is certainly worth doing. Don’t hesitate to give a counteroffer before you sign the papers. Keep your maximum figure in mind, be friendly yet firm and do not be afraid of walking away – the used car market is huge so you will be able to find an alternative.

Insure & Tax The Vehicle

The final stages involve getting car insurance (you won’t be allowed to drive away without some form of insurance) and arranging the road tax. Be meticulous when picking your car insurance since this can save you money in the future. You may also want to think about GAP insurance which could save you a fortune – click here to find out more.

Buying a new car can be daunting but hopefully the information in this guide will reduce stress and help you to find the perfect car.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.