Getting a new car is a major decision in life. Whether you decide on a new or pre-loved one, the chances are that you will be forking out a significant amount of money.
We share our top tips for making sure that your new car is a successful purchase.
Decide your criteria
Most people have a distinct reason for wanting or needing a new car. Whether your family is expanding and you’re therefore in need of more seats, or your current car is almost ready for the scrapheap, make sure you know your specifications in advance of checking out what’s available. Writing a list and taking it with you will be helpful for you and the seller.
Don’t make hasty decisions
If you’re a home owner, you’ll understand that it is possible to be dazzled by the advantages of a property when you first visit. It may only be on a second visit that you begin to see all the money you’ll need to spend to get it up to scratch. The exact same experience can be had when looking for a new vehicle. It’s vital to take your time and not make a decision on the spur of the moment. Perhaps you could take a family member or friend along with you. If you are blinded by the leather interiors or the blacked out windows, you may miss something easily. A second pair of eyes can be very useful.
Take a test drive
Our car’s seats become like a second skin and clutch control can be second nature, so it’s vital to take a car out for a spin to ensure you will get along. In addition to how it drives and the differences in the car’s controls (e.g. where the wiper controls are), If you have children, take car seats with you and ensure that they fit comfortably. For those of us who are lucky enough to travel or take road trips on a regular basis, why not take a couple of suitcases with you to make sure they allow you plenty of room in the boot?
Check the MOT history
Just having the car’s registration number means you can go online and check the vehicle’s MOT history including reasons for it previously failing and recommendations made by the person who carried out the test. Make sure that whether you are buying from a garage or privately, you are aware of which bits of work have been completed. Take that into account when considering if it fits your budget.
Money matters
Are you part exchanging your current car or are you in need of car finance? It is imperative to consider your options prior to looking at cars. Leasing a car for a select period of time, known as personal contract hire, is something else you could think about.
Shop around
Buying a new car will ensure it automatically comes with warranty and therefore peace of mind. However, buying a second-hand car can be a little trickier. If you know a lot about cars, you could probably do a thorough check of the car if buying privately. However, for those novices, using a garage who offer three months’ warranty might be a better option. That way, if anything were to go wrong, you can return to the seller and ask for it to be fixed or replaced.
