A first time used car buyer’s guide ..
When it comes to buying your first car, there are a lot of things to consider. You want to choose wisely so that the car you buy is affordable, cheap to run, easy to handle, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg to insure. Take a look through our first time buyer’s guide for some helpful advice on selecting the best motor for you.
Do your research..
Remember that looks aren’t everything when it comes to buying your first car. It might sound like a chore, but doing some research before you go car shopping can save you money. The first thing you need to do is work out how much you can realistically afford to spend – this includes your car insurance, petrol, MOT and servicing, road tax and repairs.
With a figure in mind, you should take a look online or in car magazines like The Which Car Guide and Parkers which will give you invaluable reference material. Here you’ll be able to find out what insurance bracket each car will typically fall under, the price you should expect to pay for any particular model, as well as giving you detailed information about the reliability and handling and performance of a range of cars.
This way you can pinpoint the cars that will cost you less to run and less to repair, and if you’re armed with this information before you go car hunting, you’ll be better placed to negotiate with sellers. The better informed you are the more the more easily you will be able to spot any potential problems with cars you go to view too, especially when you’re thinking about buying a used car.
As a first-time driver, insurance can be expensive, but your choice of car can help reduce this yearly cost, so pay special attention to the insurance ratings given to vehicles in car magazines. Choosing a car within a lower cost insurance bracket will save you a lot of money, not to mention providing you with a safer choice of vehicle. The internet is a great tool for keeping your insurance costs down too. Many insurers offer discounts to online customers, while others like Kwik Fit Insurance offer useful perks such as 10% off at Kwik Fit repair centers. Take a look at their site to see if you can benefit from their cheap car insurance.
Where to buy?
Once you have a preferred model and price range, you’re ready to shop. You have a range of options when it comes to choosing where to buy your first car.
Car auctions – car auctions can offer up some real bargains, but you often won’t get a chance to test drive the vehicle before you buy it. The quality of the cars on sale can vary dramatically, and if anything goes wrong with your motor, it’s unlikely that you’ll be entitled to any customer care. It’s definitely best to attend an auction with a friend or relative who knows their cars and can spot potential problems that you may well miss.
Independent dealer – you’ll find a wide range of used cars on sale through independent dealerships, but the quality of vehicles on sale and the quality of customer service can vary. Before buying from an independent dealer, do a bit of research and see if any of your friends or relatives have dealt with them before, to see if they’re as reliable as you’d like.
Franchised dealer - look for an established company with a good history behind it and you’ll find a selection of better quality second hand cars, albeit it with a slightly higher price tag. But buying from a franchised dealer usually means better after sales service and the maximum amount of buyer security.
Privately – buying a car privately means that you have fewer buyer rights, so it helps to know about cars, or to go for a test drive with someone who does. You need to be wary of anyone who has several cars listed privately, but separately, as private selling is often the method used to get rid of some dodgy and overpriced motors. Keep your wits about you, always take her for a spin, and if you feel at all uncomfortable with the car or the seller, simply walk away.
