Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Car

Buying your first car is an incredibly exciting time. Not only does it mark the beginning of your new found independence, but it allows you to begin the exhilarating search for your new wheels.

However, there are lots of factors you must weigh up when it comes to deciding on what car is best for you, your lifestyle, and your budget.

If you’re unsure of where to start, we’ve put together this handy guide on everything you need to consider when buying your first car.

Budget

There’s no escaping this one – your budget will absolutely determine what kind of car you can afford. It’s as simple as that! But there are tips and tricks to utilising your budget effectively. First you must decide whether you want to buy a car outright, or on finance.

Once you know this, it’s time to do some research. Before rushing in to purchase the first car you find that you like, be sure to shop around online to find the compare prices and find the best possible deals available to you. If you want to get the best deal then looking for your next car at an online car auction is the way to go.

Choose Your Make and Model

The next step on your list is to choose what make and model you’d like. Our advice is to research what cars within your budget are the most reliable. Often you may stumble across cars that look cool, but that novelty quickly wears off if you’re breaking down every few months! Reliability is one of the most important factors when it comes to selecting the make and model of your car – so be sure to do extensive research before making your decision.

Find a Trusted Dealer

When it comes to purchasing your first car, finding a trusted dealer is imperative to the security of your sale. If someone’s selling a car on Facebook, chances are you’re not going to get anything like as much security as you do with a professional car dealership who has legal policies to uphold. Make sure you find a trusted dealer who is well-known and has a good reputation.

If you’re happy to buy a second hand car, Autotrader can be a brilliant starting point. It’s also worth mentioning that if you come across a dealer you haven’t heard of before, check their online reviews to see what others have to say about them on platforms such as Google and TrustPilot.

Car Insurance

Once you’ve selected the car you want to go for, you need to start thinking about insurance. There are numerous different insurance policies out there for cars, from liability coverage to collision coverage and GAP insurance. Different insurers will cover different elements and have different price points. It’s all about taking the time to do thorough research to ensure your car will be fully protected at a price you can afford.