Six Tips for Purchasing Your Very First Car

When purchasing your first vehicle, it can be all too easy to see the first car in the garage and fall in love with it without actually thinking practically. Many new drivers tend to purchase second hand cars due to the fact they are still learning despite passing their test and are more likely to gain some scratches or dents along the way. Here are six rules to follow when purchasing your very first car.

Understand Your Budget

Before you do anything, you need to understand what budget you have for your car. It may be that your parents are helping you out with your first car, and if so, great! This doesn’t mean you should just choose the most expensive or best-looking car though. You need to thoroughly research the manufacturer before purchasing and know how many miles it has and when the MOT and service are due. These are all things to price into your budget, as well as car insurance and road tax.

Shop Around

Don’t just choose the first car that you see just because you want to get on the road. This could mean that you end up with a car that may not be the best quality, or you may end up finding a better deal when it’s already too late. There are plenty of options when purchasing cars, including online retailers, second hand from garages, or getting a car on finance.

Consider Used

As a first-time car buyer, it can be difficult knowing what car to get, and many drivers want to buy a brand-new car. However, after leaving the garage, a new car loses a whopping 11% of its value and each year after the sale, it depreciates a further 15-25%. Don’t get sucked into the trap of buying a new car just because you are excited; a used car can be just as good and doesn’t come with a big loss in value. Furthermore, as a new driver, especially a young one, your insurance could easily rack up to be £2000+ so purchasing a new car may not be a viable option.

Understanding What You Need

Knowing the features that you want in a car can make shopping around a lot easier. How many seats do you really need and do you really need a heated seat? Think logically about your budget and what car best suits your needs. If you want a car for work, check out the best cars for commuters here.

Take the Test Drive

No matter where you are purchasing a car from, you should take a test drive. This should certainly be done if you are purchasing outside of a garage. Sellers could be hiding anything and driving a car yourself means you can see if it feels right for you. Driving a new car is different to being in your instructor’s car and you need to feel comfortable in the car you end up with.

Don’t Forget Car Insurance

If you want to find cheap car insurance in the UK, you should use a price comparison website. One of the best to use is Quotezone.co.uk, which helps you to find the best deals for your vehicle in a matter of seconds. It helps you to understand exactly what you will be paying before you make a purchase. You can then browse through these results to find a company that offers the best price for the policy you require.

Buying your first car can be a minefield, and if you have no idea what you’re looking for, it can be even more difficult. Make sure you take your parents or a friend with you who already drives as they will be able to guide you in your purchase.

This post was created in collaboration with Quotezone.