Buying your first car is an exciting milestone! However, it can also feel daunting if you don’t know where to start. Follow this comprehensive guide to make your first car buying experience stress-free.
Set Your Budget
The very first thing you’ll need to do is set a realistic budget. Consider not just the purchase price of the car, but also insurance, tax, fuel and ongoing maintenance costs. As a rule of thumb, your total yearly car expenses should not exceed 20% of your annual take-home income.ย
For young or new drivers, insurance can be costly, so get quotes before setting your max budget. Use sites like Compare the Market to do this. Online car valuation tools can also give you an idea of tax and average mpg to estimate fuel costs.
Research Cars in Your Price Range
Once you know what you can afford, start researching models, makes and styles that fit both your budget and needs. Look for used cars around 3 years old, as they still have warranty protection and depreciate slower than brand-new models. Check the websites of local dealers to see what makes and models are selling for. For example, if youโre looking at used cars in Newport, you can pick up small cars like VW Polos with low mileage at a good price.ย
Review expert and owner reviews, check reliability ratings and compare specs like fuel economy, cargo and passenger space. Make a shortlist of 3-5 cars that look promising.
Find Dealers and Listings
You can find used cars for sale from both dealers and private sellers. Dealers offer more protections like warranties, while private sales may have more room to negotiate. Search both online classifieds and local dealership listings for the cars on your shortlist.
Test Drive the Cars
Test driving your top choices is a must. Pay attention to comfort, visibility, dashboard layout, seating adjustments, and any intuitiveness. Take it on a faster A road and around town to get a good overall feel. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision on the spot after a test drive.
Inspect Maintenance Records
Request the service history for used cars to get maintenance records. Look for regular servicing and for cars older than three years, MOT certificates. Gaps in service may indicate issues. Low mileages for the car’s age are also favourable.
Have an Inspection Done
Before purchase, have a trusted mechanic do a thorough inspection of any used car you’re seriously considering. This will check for any issues not immediately apparent on a test drive.
Consider Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) cars, which undergo extensive mechanical and cosmetic inspections. CPO cars cost a bit more but also come with added peace of mind.
Know Your Rights
Review the Consumer Rights Act so you know your rights when buying from a dealer. This covers areas like refunds, repairs and misleading advertisements. Things are a bit different when buying privately, so review your rights in that case as well.
Organise Insurance & Financing
Figure out insurance and financing before purchase. Get quotes from multiple providers for both car insurance and auto loans or financing. Secure the best rates you can.
Stay within Your Budget
Stick to your predetermined maximum budget, no matter how good a deal higher priced cars seem. Going over budget on your first car purchase can lead to unmanageable payments down the road.
Buying your first car will take time and research but following this guide will set you up for success! Stay patient, do your homework and enjoy your new ride.
