How can I make buying my next car easier?
Sticking to a plan can help when buying a car – and we’ve got one prepared for you.
Buying a new car can be stressful. Whether you’re shopping for a new or used model, finding one that works for you can be tricky at times. It’s a big purchase, after all, and you want to make sure that you’ve found the right car for you.
Having a plan in place is a great way to navigate the difficult waters of buying a car. The good news is that we’ve got one ready to go – so check it out.
Pick a budget – and stick to it
Don’t just think about the outright cost of the vehicle – or the monthly payments, if you’re going down the finance route – but consider servicing, insurance and tax, too.
Find a bodystyle which works for you
Consider what you need the most. Would a raised ride height make it easier to get in and out, or would an estate with a longer, lower boot be better for you? Don’t be afraid to visit a dealer and try cars out for practicality, too.
Think about boot space
If you’ve got kids, then you may want to check out a car’s ISOFIX points for car seats. How easy are they to access? Are they kept hidden by any annoying covers?
Combustion, hybrid or electric?
Petrol and diesel are still there, of course, but modern hybrids offer a far more efficient option. Plug-in hybrids allow you to charge the car up to make things even cheaper, but you’ll have to find somewhere that you can reliably top them up. An electric car can make a lot of sense cost-wise but, again, you’ll need to think about where you charge it up and how expensive this could be for you.
Check history
It could be a good idea to run an online HPI check, too. These paid-for checks can show if a car has any outstanding finance on it, or if it has previously been crashed and written off. Remember, if you buy a used car and it still has finance outstanding on it, then you’re liable for the amount, making these background checks an invaluable service.
Consider a warranty
If you’re buying a used car, then a warranty could be a good option. New cars come with a standard manufacturer’s warranty, but second-hand examples often don’t. However, with many manufacturers offering longer standard warranties on their cars, there’s a chance that you could find a second-hand model with some of this still intact, which could help to make motoring cheaper in the long run.
If there’s no manufacturer warranty remaining, then an aftermarket warranty could be very useful. There are plenty of providers, too, so take a look and compare them online.
Remember to tax and insure
Before driving away, make sure that you have everything in place. If you’re buying a used car, then you’ll need to tax it – it’s no longer carried over on the vehicle itself – and make sure that you have insurance cover in place.