Buying Your First Car - What to Consider
If you are looking into buying your first car, the initial enthusiasm that you will certainly experience at the prospect of getting some real freedom might be tempered by the process of seeking out the best possible deal.
Most first time car buyers opt for used cars and if you choose this route you will be entering what can feel like a minefield, as a car will inevitably require a significant investment over the years and you will ideally be looking for a vehicle that will only need taxing, insuring, servicing and a bit of petrol. There are plenty of horror stories about endless repairs and huge garage bills. It is important to realise that despite the potential for trouble, the first-time car buyer does not need to be apprehensive about the experience, particularly if they follow these few key pieces of advice.
The most important consideration for any first time buyer is the price range in which they can reasonably afford to look. You will need to set out a budget and factor in various costs in order to come up with a figure with which you are comfortable and it is essential to stick to that figure, as going over it could lead to problems in the long run.
With changes to the car tax system, the cost of running a car will increase or decrease depending on how fuel efficient and environmentally friendly it is believed to be and then essentials such as insurance will further balloon your budget. Soon the cost of the car itself could start to look a little insignificant, particularly if you are a young first time driver, as premiums are much higher in this group.
If you know how much money you have to spend, you will need to start looking for appropriate cars. There are a number of places to check, including mainstream dealers, independents, auctions and private sales. There are positive and negative aspects of choosing each one. Auctions and private sales might get you a good deal in terms of vehicle price, but official used cars supplied from a dealer will usually come with guarantees and a warranty to help you out if anything goes wrong. You will, however, pay a premium by opting for the dealer route.
Always remember that dealers expect a certain degree of negotiation on the price of a car. If they are unwilling to budge on the price, then try and get them to throw in other services as part of the deal, such as service, MOT or six months road tax. Whether you buy from a main dealer or a private owner, always check the car`s documentation for the service history. It should be easy to tell if a car has been well-maintained, as the owner will include all of the receipts and official documents relating to each visit to the garage. Avoid vehicles with little or no information about their mechanical past.
Always perform an HPI check which references a number of databases to determine whether the car has ever been the subject of an insurance write-off, stolen & recovered or, indeed, is still subject to finance - a surprising number of vehicles fail this last test and the car could be repossessed if a previous finance agreement has not been settled. A number of firms now offer this service including HPI Information plc themselves.
First time car buyers typically look for used cars for sale, primarily smaller models which suit new drivers (and their insurers!). Popular marques include Ford and French firms Renault and Peugeot, all of whom produce a number of superminis to suit all tastes and budgets.
