Buying Your First Car – Where Do You Start?
Buying any car can be a daunting experience, but when it’s your first car it can be even scarier. Sometimes, the excitement of purchasing a car can sometimes overshadow your judgement. And when you can’t find a suitable one that you can afford, the disappointment will be worse.
So the first step is to be realistic and work out whether you can actually afford to buy. Work out the entire cost of the car, not just the initial price, but the insurance, road tax, petrol MOT and any possible future repairs. Buying a car can be easily affordable for many people, but nowadays it is insuring the vehicle that is always a problem especially for young people that have just passed their driving test.
When it actually comes to looking for a car, you will be better off if you take a trip down to a recognised dealer if you want a brand new car. However, if you’re not opposed to a used car (and these will be cheaper) try franchised dealers. Independent dealers are also good for cheaper cars. The Internet is even better, but buying on the Internet will make it difficult for you to see the car for yourself, and your legal rights will also be limited.
When you do find a car that you like and appears to be in good working condition, make sure that you ask the dealer/owner about its service history and ask to see the car’s documentation. If they are reluctant to show you then that should set off warning bells in your head.
Don’t let the owner/dealer pressure you into paying for the car on the spot. Take it for a thirty minute test drive (but first check that you are covered by the dealer’s insurance). The point of a test drive is to see if the like the feel of a car and whether it suits you and also whether it runs fine and the brakes work etc.
Once you’ve decided that you want the car, most dealers will let you pay a deposit and keep hold of the car for you until you find insurance. It is imperative that you shop around and find this as soon as possible.
Road tax is valid for six or twelve months. Sometimes, if you’re lucky with used cars, you can get the dealer to throw in the road tax for you. And maybe even the MOT which is required for a car that has been registered for three or more years.
References:
http://www.theaa.com/aattitude/owning-a-car/choosing-your-car.jsp
http://www.driving-test-success.com/passed/buying_your_first_car.html