7 Tips for Buying Your First Car

Buying your first car is an exciting time. Whether you passed your test at 17, 27 or 57, there is nothing like getting into your first car and driving off knowing you’re about to change your life in many ways. Driving gives you freedom like no other; you’ve taken the lessons, you’ve passed the tests, and you’ve done everything you need to change the licence colour from green to pink.

But buying your first car can be a bit of a minefield. Everyone will have tips and theories on what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to buying your first car.

While some of these tips can be extremely valuable, not all tips are applicable or even useful when choosing your first car. This post will look at some things you can do or think about before committing to a car purchase to ensure you get the right vehicle for you and your needs.

New or Used

There is a common idea that you should choose a used vehicle for your first car, and you don’t mind getting dinged up a little bit. The reason is that in your first year, you will be getting used to driving, parking, etc., and you will experience some firsts. And as you won’t have as much road experience as other drivers, there’s a high possibility that you might be more susceptible to accidents or making mistakes leading to damage to the vehicle. 

According to ALA, more than 1 in 5 new drivers are admitted to an accident in their first year of driving. However, this isn’t a rule or a necessity, and if you wish to buy a brand new or nearly new car, this is entirely up to you and your needs and reasons for buying a car, i.e. for a job offer, long commutes or travelling around the country. Visiting established dealerships like Listers Used Cars can help you decide if you should opt for a new, nearly new or used vehicle as your first set of wheels.

Budget

Your budget is a crucial aspect of your first car purchase. It’s not just about what you can afford to spend but also about understanding what vehicle type is within your reach. Whether you’re planning a cash payment, considering financing, or exploring a salary sacrifice car scheme through your employer, knowing your financial standing, including your credit score for finance purposes and how much of your monthly budget you can allocate,  is key. This preparation will empower you when you step into the dealership or car salesroom, allowing you to identify cars that fit your budget and make informed decisions.

Fuel Type

No longer are there just petrol or diesel motors. You can opt for a fully electric or a hybrid vehicle, too. Petrol cars are the most common cars on the road, typically cheaper to purchase and run as well and are more reliable than their diesel counterparts. However, that being said, diesel cars are ideal for those who need to drive long distances regularly as diesel engines are more fuel efficient on the motorway, which makes up for their increased purchase and running costs.

Electric cars mean you can skip having to fuel up at a petrol station, but you need to be able to find electric charging points in your area or have a charging station installed at your home. While they are more expensive upfront, they have lower running costs, and charging can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the vehicle, battery, and power source. Hybrid motors give you more flexible options as the car runs on petrol or diesel but has an electric motor. The car will switch between motors depending on the conditions to help it maximise power and be more fuel efficient.

Ongoing Costs

Ongoing costs can vary from car to car, person to person, and, of course, your postcode, especially in the case of insurance. However, all car owners must pay road tax or register for it if they qualify for £0 annual tax, insurance, and an MOT each year as standard. This is on top of fueling or charging the vehicle. From here, you can expect to pay for things like cleaning the car, breakdown cover, new tyres, annual servicing, wear and tear repairs, and any accessories you might want, like Sat Navs. For instance, a full tank of petrol can cost around £60, a basic car wash can be £10-£15, and a set of new tyres can range from £200 to £800. These costs can quickly add up, and the more expensive your car is or, the older your vehicle, the more costs can increase, so think about this before deciding to be confident you know exactly what to expect. As a guide, the average cost for car insurance for 17-19-year-olds in December 2023 was £1,268.54 per year, which is just under £106 per month.

Never Go Alone

It’s always a wise decision to have a companion when you’re buying a car, whether it’s your first or your fifth. This gives you a different perspective and someone to discuss your thoughts with other than the salesperson. Their input can be invaluable, helping you make a more balanced decision and preventing impulsive choices driven by excitement.

They can give you a different point of view, look at things you might not have thought of and give you a more balanced viewpoint should excitement take over and put you at risk of making rash decisions.

Whether you take one person or three, have someone else with you. Having someone with you who knows what they’re looking at regarding cars is also a good idea. They don’t need to be a mechanic, although it is highly beneficial if you can take one with you; they should know what to look for to identify issues and be able to tell if something is wrong, especially when you take it for a test drive.

Take Your Time

Nothing is more exciting than hitting the open road alone in your first car. Every new river will have been exactly where you are right now. It’s an intoxicating mix of anticipation and an eagerness to embark on your new life. But this can also be detrimental to the car buying process and lead you to make the wrong decisions.

Take your time to research cars, look at what is available within your budget, visit a few car showrooms, test drive some vehicles, and see what you can realistically afford and the type of car you want to drive. There isn’t harm in being patient and making the right decision. It can pay off in the long run and avoid massive financial mistakes.

Do Due Diligence

Never take a seller’s word for anything regarding the car unless you have proof from private sellers or dealerships. You want to ask the right questions and gain as much information as possible, especially when buying used cars.

You need to know things like the car’s age, service record, and any major repairs they have had. Ask for the mileage, number of previous owners and any modifications the vehicle might have had,

When in the car, you want to check a few things, like whether the chair can be repositioned, whether the windows and door handles work, and whether the cooking system is in good working order. You also want to look on the dashboard for any lights that might stay on when driving and check that nothing sticks when using the steering wheel, the clutch, gearbox, etc., and that all lights, indicators, etc., work as legally required.

From here, you can check things like the logbook to make sure all details match, that the VIN in the logbook matches the one on the car, that the handbook is present, and that there aren’t any significant issues recorded with the DVLA. You can use this link to check out many details on the GOV website.

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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.