We’ve put together these top 10 tips to help you when buying a new car
Step 1: Set your budget
Set your budget and stick to it! Make a list of what you need the car to do. For example do you have a baby? Do you need a big boot? Do you have a large family or is it just for you? Do you want Diesel or Petrol?
Step 2: Research
Look on the internet for the various advice guides that tell you the recommended price of the car you are looking for. You can also find this sort of information in magazines.
Make sure you keep an eye out for manufacturers’ recalls, and make a note of when the cam belt needs changing as this is an expensive repair that must be done when the manufacturer recommends.
If there is a problem with the cam belt it could inflict massive damage to your engine. Are the manufacturers still making the model you want? If they aren’t, it could mean spare parts are hard to find and expensive.
Step 3: Talk to friends
Talk to other car owners you see in the street, tell them you’re thinking of buying a car like theirs and ask about fuel consumption and reliability.
Step 4: Compare prices
Try not to get a car that has been driven over 100,000 miles as they will need a little more attention and maintenance than a more modern car.
Get a local paper and see what is on offer, you will usually find that Friday is a good time to look for used car prices. You will want to have a drive to local garages and dealers within a reasonable distance of where you live.
Step 5: Arranging a car loan or car finance
That’s where we come in, apply here.
Remember to always stick to your budget, and make sure you can afford the payments.
Step 6: The test drive
Make sure you test drive the car for at least 20 minutes, so you can be sure you are comfortable with it.
Before the car is moved for the test drive open the bonnet and check the engine is cold, always test drive the car from cold!
If when the car is first started it takes 2-3 turns of the key to start it could need a service and or parts changing. When you sit in it make sure you test all the buttons, electric windows and radio.
Step 7: Negotiation
Always negotiate face to face, as you will see if the sales person (or owner) is trying to hide something.
Never try to negotiate over the phone, as any information given out could be denied later. Sales people will only try and bring you into the garage anyway.
Always stick to your budget.
If the car price, warrantee and finance deal is agreeable to you, say to the sales person that you want a coffee and 5 minutes alone to talk to your partner. Make sure that you are both happy with the deal.
Step 8: Warranty
Always look at what the warranty doesn’t cover, as some warranties aren’t worth the paper they are written on.
If the warranty is a good one it should clearly state what is not covered.
Always try and get a better warranty if you are buying a second hand car from a dealer. They normally offer you the bronze warranty try and get at least silver as they normally go up to platinum. But remember that even platinum will not cover every single thing on the car.
If the dealer is confident in the car he should give you a 6 month warranty.
Again most importantly ask when the cam belt is due to be changed and try to get them to include it in the service that should be done before you pick the car up.
Also make sure if something does go wrong, the faulty part is replaced and has a new warranty.
Step 9: Get everything in writing
Make sure you get everything in writing. Any work that was promised to be done will be done i.e. paintwork, dents removed, radio code and all other agreed items.
Get the service history if you can.
Step 10: Getting the keys
Most modern cars have central locking which uses an electronic key they can cost hundreds of pounds to replace. So make sure you get two keys and keep one in a safe place.
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