With many of us heading back into the office over the next few months, now could be a great time to start thinking about upgrading your wheels.
If it’s time for a new set of wheels, you will have to budget properly, taking purchase price and future costs into account.
What are the sorts of things you should consider to make sure it’s a sound investment? Let’s have a look.
Size
Driving around any UK town or city you’ll see plenty of crossover cars, but it’s actually the humble hatchback that’s the most popular car model. And for good reason. The size and shape make them perfect for commuting on motorways as well as navigating tight corners in multi-storey carparks.
They also tend to hold their resale value better because people of all ages enjoy driving them – whether you’re a learner driver or you’ve been driving for decades.
Make sure you opt for a four-door model for extra convenience, especially if you regularly have passengers in the backseat.
Colour
Generally speaking, sober more neutral colours are best when it comes to long-term value retention, because they have the broadest appeal. Black, grey, silver, blue and white are among the most popular shades for new cars and the ones most likely to generate strong second-hand prices. Although it usually costs more up front, metallic paint is often sought after by second-hand buyers and therefore normally adds value later on, too.
Brighter and more unusual colours such as yellow, orange and green make up a much smaller portion of new car sales. Used car buyers are less likely to opt for a brighter colour over a darker one, so vivid colours are generally best avoided if you want the best resale value.
Green energy
With less than 10 years to go before the 2030 petrol and diesel ban, now is the time to invest in a green car. Currently electric car sales still represent a tiny proportion of new vehicle sales each month, but growth in this sector continues to grow.
As manufactures hone their EV motors and countries implement stricter rules and higher taxes for non-green vehicles, now could be the perfect time to invest in an electric car. As demand soars, so too will price.
To increase your own awareness, here are a few questions to consider when deciding if an EV is right for you.
Get smart
When looking at new cars, it’s all about their connectivity. It’s no longer about horsepower, but computer power. Opt for cars with Internet of Things (IoT) platforms to help you stay connected when out and about. A connected car will not only improve vehicle convenience, comfort, and multimedia, but it will also improve driver performance, and more importantly safety.
In a new car, sensors and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) are a must, as is blind spot detection and lane assist.