7 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Family Car

Buying a new car can be a stressful process, especially if you’re choosing one that is going to suit your family’s needs. A family car needs to be affordable, fit for purpose and safe! Make your next car buying experience a positive one and follow our 7-step guide to choosing the perfect family car!

Set an affordable budget

Before you even think of stepping foot in a car dealership, you need to set a budget. Your budget for a family car needs to be realistic and affordable. Whether that be for one lump sum payment to pay for a car with cash or a monthly budget for car finance. No matter which funding route you choose for your next car, you should never stray from your budget as it could end up costing you in the future. It can be easy to say yes to optional extras, the latest model or a higher specification vehicle, but if it puts you out of pocket you may end up regretting it. When setting your budget, it’s important to account for additional costs such as services and insurance. Maintenance costs such as oil changes, tire replacements, and annual services should all be factored into your expenses over time. Car insurance premiums also vary depending on factors like the make and model of the car as well as driving history and location. By including these ongoing expenses in your budget, you can ensure your new car remains both affordable and manageable in the long term.

Space and seating requirements

The amount of space you need in your next family car can be determined by your family size. You may be looking for 7-seater car finance deals for your large family or small city car to dot around town. Whatever your requirements are its worth considering before you start shopping. MPVs and SUVs tend to be popular family cars as they offer a lot of space. If you have a small family or young children, a crossover car with low running costs may be better suited to your situation.

Finding the right SUV for a large family sometimes means looking at models not available in your local market. Some parents prefer high-end prestige brands that have specific safety features or interior layouts. You can use a service like importmarques.com to find and import these vehicles from overseas. This is a good way to get a car with a higher specification. They take care of the shipping and paperwork so the process is easier for busy families.

For some families, there may be a requirement for extra space due to a family member having accessibility needs. For this kind of situation, the Automotive Group is a great place to go. There, you will be able to find numerous wheelchair accessible vehicles to choose from, thus ensuring you can get the perfect family car that works for everyone in your family equally.

Storage capacity

There are a whole range of reasons why you may need differing storage spaces for family life. A large boot space is often a must for busy families. Whether it’s for comfortably sitting your furry, four-legged friend or for weekend camping trips, a large boot space could be a deal breaker. You’ll also need to consider if there is enough room for car seats and pushchairs if needed.

Economical engines

Nowadays, drivers can be spoilt for choice when it comes to engine choices. From petrol and diesel engines to eco-friendly electric and hybrid cars, you can choose an engine option which suits your lifestyle. One of the main pain points for drivers is usually running costs so choosing an engine variant which won’t cost you an arm and a leg to run could be key. Eletric cars tend to offer the lowest running costs as it costs much less to recharge an EV than it would to refuel a petrol or diesel car. However, lots of electric cars come with high price tag when buying from new and they may not be suitable for everyone. It can be worth thinking about how far you drive and how often to determine which fuel type would be best.

Safety features

Probably one of the most important aspects of car buying for any parent is the safety of your vehicle. Modern cars are much safer than they used to be and come with high levels of safety features as standard. In production, each vehicle will be given a safety rating in accordance with the Euro NCAP safety assessment. Cars are given a star rating from 0-5, with 5 being the highest level of safety. When shopping around for cars, take a note of their Euro NCAP safety rating and choose a one with a full 5-star rating if you can.

Reliability

Finding a reliable car is key when buying your next car. No car owner wants to buy a car which has a reputation for breaking down or the parts being worn down too quickly. There are some car manufacturers who have a reputation for better reliability than others but it can be hard to predict when buying a used car. Newer cars tend to offer the highest levels of reliability as they’ll have less wear and tear and fewer previous owners.

Longevity

Just like reliability, longevity is important to family car buyers as you don’t want to be buying a new car every year. A car which depreciates at a slower rate will retain its value better and means you can sell for a good price when you’re done with it. To help improve the longevity of your car, you could consider a car with low mileage and a full service and MOT history to ensure its in its reliable, best condition possible.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.