There is no feeling in the world quite like passing your driving test, but it can be tricky when the time comes to buy your first car – there are many important decisions to make and it is a huge amount of money to spend. With this in mind, here is some guidance which will hopefully come in handy.
New or Used
One of the first decisions to make will be to buy a new or used car. While there are perks to buying new, most new drivers find that a used car is a good place to start as it is likely that you will want to change vehicle after a few years and this could see you take a huge hit if you were to buy new because of depreciation. You can get more for your money in the used car market, but just be sure to stay safe and buy from a reliable dealership.
How to Pay
Buying a new or used car is a huge expense and most will be unable to pay the price for the car upfront. Vehicle finance can be a great solution which makes it easier to manage and there are even specialists like Go Car Credit that can help if you have bad credit or you are self-employed.
Running Costs
When you are working out how much you are able to afford, it is vital that you do not forget about the various running costs which can add up to a lot (particularly for new drivers). The main costs to factor in are insurance, road tax, fuel and maintenance costs. There are ways that you can keep these costs down, such as telematics insurance, choosing a car that is not powerful and opting for a fuel-efficient vehicle.
Safety
Safety is always an important factor when shopping for a new car, but especially for new drivers who are higher risk. A car that has a high Euro NCAP safety rating along with various safety features can make driving much safer and crucially provide important peace of mind for the motorist (and parents).
Buying your first car is a huge decision and not one which should be taken lightly. You need to find one which is practical, reliable, safe and enjoyable to drive all within your budget which can be challenging, but the internet is a great resource for shopping for new and used cars so hopefully it will not be too hard to find the perfect car for a new motorist.