Its all so exciting when buying your first car. Whether you have just passed your test or have just waited and are know ready to purchase your first car there is somethings you should know before making the purchase. Rushing in to buying a car is not a good idea, there are some things you have to keep an eye out for.
Things to consider when buying your first car:
Budget
When buying a car you need to realistic with your budget. Your budget is the amount of money you want to spend on your new purchase. This will have to take into consideration the outside cost such as your insurance, MOT’s the tax and servicing and even the cars general running cost. How much fuel are you likely to use monthly etc. Are you looking to buy you car with cash or finance, if you are looking at finance then what amount are you looking at putting down as a deposit. If you are looking at taking the finance option then a good idea is to see how much you would be accepted for so you have an idea of the amount you can spend and the search for a car that fits into that budget.
What do you need your car for?
All cars have different uses and depending on what your lifestyle is. For example if you travel a lot, you may want the added luxuries of heated seats, or do you need o be able to fit the family in, of do you want to be able to cope with all terrain or do you just need a little city car? What you do in your everyday life should be helped by having the correct car for you. There are loads of cars out there that are perfect for all sort of lifestyles. You just need to find a car model that is the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Used car
We all know the idea of having a brand new car seems very exciting but there are a few disadvantages for example the length of time you have to wait for them to be built, the general overall cost is a lot higher and they depreciate in value. However buying a used car that is only a few years old may save you a fair amount of money. A used car is already built and you can look for one with the spec you are after. If it’s cheaper to buy your finance repayments will usually be less and so that could help cut back on cost. You can still get a newer car at a really good price on finance that not only fits into your lifestyle but fits into your budget. If you are wanting to buy with a cash sale then there are private sales you can look into although buying of these type of sales often means there is no warranty attached so should anything go wrong you have to deal with it yourself.
Warranty
Although you have many avenues you can buy a car from but a lot of them don’t include a warranty. When you buy from a dealer a warranty is almost always included. When buying from a dealer you are covered by the CCA (consumer credit act) which allows your rights. This may included if the vehicle is faulty for repairs to be made of for refunds to be had. If you buy from a private sale you won’t be covered by this. The warranty that you are offered when buying your first car from a dealer can range anywhere from 3 months to 12 months and you can often upgrade your warranty for a small fee.
Test drive
Make sure you test drive the car you are interested in! Check out the cars condition and if you are unsure what you are looking at then take someone with you that does. This includes looking at both interior and exterior and also how the car moves. If there is any issues you are concerned about the you can bring them up to the dealership and either get the sorted or find something else that is more suitable for you and your lifestyle.
Haggle
The price that is shown is not always concrete which means there is sometimes wiggle room especially if you have found faults in the paint work etc. This is especially in private sales, as its on the decision of the seller. They maybe easier to persuade to drop the price due to imperfections that they cant get repaired quickly like a dealership would be able to. There is no harm in asking and if there’s a chance you might as well try it.
Paperwork check
Once you have decided on the car you want and a price has been decided on then the next thing is the paperwork. Here is where you can check the V5 which is the log book, the service record and if the cars has it’s manual. If there is a spare key, ensure you get that too.
Finally you have your car! Whether this has been bought through a cash sale or a
you know have access to your very first car. You can take your family or your friends out now or be able to go on road trips. We all know that buying a new car can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time but it is also exciting and really worth it. A lot of dealerships will offer support to make it as stress free as possible.
The Car Finance Companies provide you with a massive selection of used cars and vans. We are based in Liverpool, Merseyside but can deliver UK wide. If you’re needing Car Finance for your used vehicle at The Car Finance Companies have a dedicated team of finance experts waiting to help with your enquiry. Check out our stock range and give us a call on 0151 523 4000 to get started on getting that dream car today!