What To Consider Before Buying A Car

When it comes to buying a car, you shouldn’t rush into making a decision. After all, they are something that is going to be with you for a reasonable amount of time.

Next year, we will be considering trading in our trusty Vauxhall Insignia. It has been a great car, so I will be sad to see it go. However, it’s coming to the point where it’s not very practical for us as a family. Our next car will be an automatic, possibly a hybrid (as full electric just isn’t feasible for us yet), and most likely an estate rather than the hatchback we currently have.

If you’re looking at buying a car, there are a few things you might want to consider before making your final decision.

Can you afford it?

Can you afford a new car? This is probably the first question you should ask yourself. 66 million people worldwide bought a car last year, so you are in good company when it comes to wanting a new car.

If you don’t already have one, you could create a spreadsheet. This will help you see how much money you have and how much money you have left to spend each week or month. It’s always worthwhile to use an online calculator to estimate your payments if you don’t have a definitive figure in mind.

Where will you buy your car from?

If you are buying a brand new car, go visit local showrooms and/or dealerships where you can see, feel, and speak to someone about the makes and models available. You don’t need to buy a car from them, but it will give you a good idea of what you’d like and the price you should expect to pay. Ask them questions like what their most popular make and model of car is, and then consider this car for yourself. There are many reasons why cars are popular, including their features, the technology that is included, past safety records, add-ons, and the price that they are sold for / can be resold for at a later date.

If you are looking to buy a secondhand car, you can also buy from a private seller, at auction, or from an independent garage. Just remember that if you buy a car privately or from an online auction site, they are usually sold as seen, and should a problem arise, there is little or nothing that can be done, and it can be quite costly for you in the end. At least if you purchase from a garage, you usually get a small warranty and are able to buy an extended warranty to cover any potential issues.

What does it cost to run?

Cars are expensive. It’s not just the initial outlay where the cost lies. Think about how much the car will cost you to insure, tax, and fix should it break down and run in your day-to-day life.

• Insurance – You can get a quick quote before you even look at a car. An online quote is almost exact and will give you a pretty good idea of the amount you will be paying. If you are planning to buy a car on finance, make sure you look at Gap Insurance for additional peace of mind in case of any incidents before your finance is paid off. Also, consider installing a car tracker on your vehicle; this may help decrease your insurance premiums, as you have installed an added safety feature, and it will help you find your car in the event it is stolen.
• Car tax – many cars these days have low/0 emissions, therefore the tax you pay is lower. However, if you are considering an older vehicle, a 4×4 or a big engine, you can expect to pay a higher amount of car tax.
• Running costs – If you are required to travel a lot for your job, you should take into consideration a car’s mpg range, especially now, considering that the price of fuel is high. You might be considering an electric car to cut costs, but you should remember to factor in the cost of charging both at home and out and about and the outlay for a charging port.
• Wear and tear – another cost to factor in when buying a car is what it costs to keep it on the road. Servicing, new tyres and replacement parts, if something needs fixing, can all be costly. Some cars need to be booked with a specialist to change small items, such as light bulbs. If you’re on a tight budget, this could be something you can’t afford, especially if you think it’s a job you can do yourself that later becomes a job you can’t.

If you have a car in mind, still do your research

If you’ve decided on the car you want, it’s still important to do a little research before signing on the dotted line. Consider the following to ensure you get the right car for you and your needs:.

• What engine size and fuel options are available
• Check the price for different models, including 3 and 5-door versions
• Read reviews
• Look at the standard and additional features and technology
• Compare prices and specifications for similar cars on the market
• Go to a number of dealerships and look at other makes and models
• Go on test drives – you may not like the car once you’ve driven it

*This is a collaborative post