Are you thinking of buying a new car? Whether you are going to purchase a used one, a company car, or a brand new one from the dealer, there are many things to consider, from a suitable vehicle that meets your needs to buying from a reputable garage. A car is not a cheap thing to purchase, so it is important that you put some time and thought into the process. Especially with the current economy, as even second-hand vehicles are becoming more expensive at the moment.
When buying a new car, you will need to conduct research, speak to other people, test drive the car or at least a similar model, and much more. Buying a new car will also take a lot of patience, as you will need to take time to look around, and it can be frustrating when cars come and go quickly, or just to make decisions on the condition of the car, the risks, the money, and much more.
To help you on your journey to buying a new car, here are some top things to consider.
What you need
It is important that the first thing you do when looking for a car is consider all the things that you need and are not negotiable. This will help you when you are searching and talking to sellers and garages, so you can quickly filter out all the cars that will not do you any good. You should think about what you are going to use the car for. For example, will you be using it for weekend and holiday road trips, will you be using it to commute to work, or just for outings with your friends? Does it need to have space for your family? Does it need to be efficient in fuel consumption? This will ensure you don’t waste your money on something too big, too small, or unnecessarily expensive for your needs. Consider the space that you need, the number of doors, the engine size, the power of the engine, the fuel type, and any other vital features.
What you want
If you are going to spend the money, you might as well ensure that it is something that you want. In addition to the things that the car must have, you can also write down the things that you want in a car. If you have the budget, you can make sure that your new car ticks all of these boxes as well. Alternatively, depending on the car availability and your budget, you may keep this list of items as things that would be nice but aren’t deal breakers if you cannot acquire them. This might be down to the style, model, color, and other special features.
Best time to buy a new car
You will not always be able to predict when the best time to buy a new car is, but it is worth considering in your search so that you can get the best deal for yourself and keep costs to a minimum. It is difficult at the moment, as with the economy, even second-hand cars are expensive. It is also unhelpful that car dealers and garages will have sales targets to meet, and private sellers are dealing with a cost of living crisis. This is all going to impact the cost of your new car. If you are buying from a dealer, it might be worth considering the quarters of the year, when sales targets need to be met, as they may be more willing to negotiate a price to shift the cars quicker. You may also avoid buying a car near paydays and weekends.
Research cars and suppliers
Make sure you conduct thorough research into both cars and suppliers. You may have seen a car that looks nice, but without conducting the relevant research, you will not know if it is suitable for you or if it can live up to your needs. Take a look on Google and look for reviews and comparisons of cars and people’s experiences. This will help you to decide which type of vehicle will better meet your needs and give you an estimated budget to work with. This will ensure you get a good deal and don’t go into a sale naive.
Review your finances
Your finances are going to dictate what kind of car you can buy, where you buy it from, and when you buy it. It is important to take a look at how much money you have saved up, and whether you need more time to save more money so that you can buy a car that meets your needs. Your previous research would inform you of the average cost of cars. You should also consider how much money you will have in your savings after you have purchased the car, as you want to ensure that you have the money to run the car, as well as pay for things like tax, insurance, maintenance, MOT, service and have funds in case there is an emergency and something goes wrong. Some people will take out a loan, or acquire a car on finance. If this is the route you are going to take, you must ensure you have the funds to take on the monthly payments and consider whether you can wait a while longer and save your money to buy a car outright, so you don’t spend more money on things like interest rates.
Paperwork and history
When you are looking for a new car, you must inquire about the history of the car, and check that all the previous paperwork is available to view. You should take a look through this to ensure that you are not missing any vital information about the vehicle that you need to know, for example, any previous accidents or damage. When you find the car you want to purchase, you should keep the paperwork in a safe place. Anytime you get any work done on your car, you should keep the paperwork and add it to your folder. This will help you if your insurance provider needs it, or if you ever sell it in the future.
Look after your car
When buying a new car, it is also important to consider what you will do with it afterward. Once you have made your purchase, you must take care of it. Make sure you schedule in your diary the dates of the next MOT and service, so you can ensure that you get your car looked at regularly. This will ensure you not only meet legal requirements, but also catch any small issues before they become large, problematic, and costly. You should clean the interior and exterior of your car regularly, and make sure you park it in safe and secure places where possible. Looking after your new car properly will ensure that it lasts longer for you and runs smoothly.
Customize your car
It is a great idea to customize your new car after buying it. It is yours after all, so you should take some time to consider what will make it nice and comfortable for you, make it more practical, and give you everything you want and need out of a car. This might be things like car seat covers, a steering wheel cover, air fresheners, new patterned floor mats, tinted windows, colored lights, or a new paint job and bumper stickers. There are also some cool private plates for sale that you can obtain and use to customize your new car even further.
Buying a new car can be a challenge. Follow these top tips to help you.