Owning your own vehicle is hands down a huge advantage for day-to-day living. Whether you’ve finally passed your driving test by booking via a driving test cancellation app or you’re in the market for a new car, it can be difficult to find a vehicle that matches your personality and needs, especially with the market for automobiles being so vast.
Luckily, there is plenty of online helpful tips and tools to make sure you pick the perfect vehicle. We’ve got some handy questions to consider before purchasing.
What is your budget?
A good starting point is outlining the budget you have available to purchase and maintain a vehicle. Be sure to take into consideration the cost of insurance and tax which can differ based on the type of automobile you have chosen and the area you reside in. You’ll also need to factor in MOT costs and any work the vehicle may need if you’re purchasing an older model.
The general rule is that your monthly payment should not be more than 10% of your take-home pay, and the total cost of your car shouldn’t exceed 20% of your take-home pay.
What are your needs?
The right car for you personally depends on what you are going to use your car for: If you are looking for a car for commuting, make sure to pick one that can handle longer distances and doesn’t cost a fortune to run on fuel. If you require a vehicle that has wheelchair accessibility, it may be a good idea to consider a minibus which can cater to special needs. If you’re looking for a family car, consider the number of seats you may need for car seats and family members.
But it’s also okay to use a car not just for functionality: Depending on your interests, you might want an electric car or you might prefer loud engines and copious amounts of horse power. Whatever it is you desire, it helps to make a checklist before even checking out cars. Don’t forget to include any must-have features you want in your new car – from Apple CarPlay to back up cameras, modern cars have a wide array of features to choose from.
When you have kids, there are also safety features and other amenities you might want to think about – choosing leather seats over cloth seats for example makes it that your car will be much better at withstanding any spills or accidents.
Safety features you might want to look out for are for example automatic emergency braking or blind spot monitoring.
Should I buy new or used?
Purchasing a vehicle that is a couple of years old can be a much cheaper option than purchasing the same model brand new. Always consider your financial situation before purchasing a vehicle on finance and ensure you have stability to be able to pay it off. If you’re wanting to purchase an older model, you can purchase the car outright if you have the funds.
Always do plenty of research prior to purchasing a vehicle. For many it’s a huge financial decision and you want to make sure you can continue to pay in the long run. A tip for first time car buyers is to choose an insurance provider that fits a black box into the vehicle as this can decrease the amount you pay for insurance.
Visiting car dealerships and also scouring online websites are both good ways to find cars, but if you’re going to view one make sure to take someone with you that has a hand for cars – their assessment will make sure you’re not buying anything that will break soon and that everything that is essential to your car is working as intended.
Be sure to consider whether you prefer automatic or manual driving and take the vehicle for a test drive to ensure it’s a good fit for you. If you’re still struggling with finding a vehicle perfect for you, speak to experienced drivers in your family or friendship group and find out which models had fewer issues to deal with and matched their needs.
Reading car tests on the internet or asking on public forums might also help you with making a decision.