Buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your life, but it can also be quite complicated. You want to find the best possible deal for yourself and protect yourself from getting taken advantage of; however, there are many factors that go into this decision
Buying a used car can be a great way to save money, but it’s important to consider the following things before making your purchase.
How do you know you’re not being taken advantage of? (Photo courtesy of Getty)
Buying a vehicle may be challenging, particularly if it’s your first automobile and you don’t have somebody to advise you on what to look for – and how to ensure you get your money’s worth.
I was 21 when I purchased my first automobile, and I did it completely on my own since my parents weren’t available to assist, and because it was shortly after the first lockdown, no one else was available to assist either.
Purchasing a vehicle served as a sign of my freedom. But I had no idea what I was doing, and in the year since, I’ve realized that I may have overpaid for my car: the audio isn’t working, the radio antennas are missing, and there’s no spare tyre for flats.
So, in order to avoid others from going through the same ordeal, I sought advise from a technician on what to know and look for when purchasing a vehicle.
Motorfinity’s chief operating officer, Dean Skiba, advises that you think about all of your alternatives before buying a vehicle.
Do you want a brand new automobile, a used car, or a car that you may lease?
Dean tells Metro.co.uk that first-time purchasers want confidence that their automobile will be trustworthy and have fewer problems.
‘If you buy or lease a new vehicle, you won’t have to pay for a MOT for three years, and you’ll probably be covered by the guarantee if anything goes wrong.’ You’ll be able to specify precisely what you want, and you won’t have to make any compromises on the inside or external features.’
Consider all of your options: purchasing a new automobile, purchasing a used car, or leasing. (Unsplash/Olivier Woodman)
Though new automobiles are less likely to suffer ‘wear and tear’ from past owners, they are expensive, and many younger drivers will not be able to afford one (without help from mum and dad).
Furthermore, insurance rates for younger drivers are often higher, not to mention the difficulties in determining the most cost-effective insurance rate. Furthermore, for people who aren’t as skilled on the road, driving a new automobile might be more dangerous, since you may cause more expensive damage in the long run.
You could, however, lease a new automobile, as Dean pointed out: ‘Many people don’t contemplate leasing a vehicle, although it’s growing more popular with younger drivers in recent years.’
‘Leasing needs a smaller up-front cost, set monthly rates, and most repairs are covered under the guarantee,’ which is frequently advantageous for your first automobile, but comes with less flexibility.
Dean suggests asking a lot of questions and talking to your friends and family about their own automobiles if you’re looking to purchase a used car, which many younger first-time car owners do.
‘If you’re not sure what sort of automobile you want, talk to your family and friends about their own cars and what they like and hate about them,’ he advises. This will provide you with useful expertise and perspectives that will help you comprehend the automobiles you’re considering.’
If you’ve decided on a certain automobile, do some research online, particularly on YouTube, where there are a plethora of car reviews, to ensure you’re aware of all the positive and negative aspects.
Check the automobile carefully and take it for a test drive to make sure there are no major issues. (Photo: Sebastien Chiron/Unsplash)
‘You don’t have the same amount of legal protection when acquiring a used automobile as you have when purchasing straight from a dealer,’ Dean warns when buying a used car.
‘Make sure the vendor can provide you with the vehicle’s service and MOT history, as well as the V5C registration paperwork. Check sure the registration and number on all of these papers match, as well as the mileage and appearance of the automobile,’ he says.
You should also look for rust, which is “a big concern in automobiles and might indicate that the car’s structure is compromised or corroding,” according to the manufacturer. Look for any apparent evidence of damage and double-check that it has everything it needs.
Is there a spare tire or a jack in the rear of the car? Is it in need of an oil change? How much longer does the cam belt have before it has to be replaced after a specific amount of mileage?
‘Test drive any automobile you’re thinking about buying. This will assist you in determining whether or not a vehicle is appropriate for you. ‘While test driving, turn off the radio so you can hear the engine,’ Dean advises.
‘While driving, listen for any noises that might signal a problem with the gearbox,’ and test the clutch and brake a few times to make sure they’re still functional.
If you know someone who might assist you, even if it’s only by taking a brief look at the vehicle and seeing problems you may not have seen, invite them to come with you before you pick it up for a last second opinion.
If you complete all of these things, you should be able to choose a cost-effective and efficient first-time automobile.
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The “three most important factors to consider when buying a car” are the type of car you want, your budget and location. Reference: what are the three most important factors to consider when buying a car.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I consider before buying a car?
A: You should consider how much you intend to spend on the car, what kind of mileage it will give you and how long you plan to keep your vehicle.
What are 5 things you need to know before buying a car?
A: The price, the mileage a car gets per gallon of fuel and how much it costs in maintenance is important to know before buying a new vehicle. The age of your current car also comes into effect when you are looking for something newer. Older cars have been finalized so they will be less expensive but will need more time and money invested in them than newer models would require.
What are the 3 most important factors to consider when purchasing a vehicle?
A: When purchasing a vehicle, the three most important factors to consider are cost, safety and performance. Cost can be determined by looking at what your budget is for this purchase as well as knowing how much you plan on spending monthly with insurance payments. Safety is easy enough to determine; look at whether theres airbags in the car and if it has side impact protection or not. Performance can easily be gauged through horsepower and torque figures that will give an idea of how quickly one might drive off without stalling out or getting stuck during sudden turns
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