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Buying A Car

Old Banger Or Flash Motor?

Now you've passed your test, your thoughts are probably turning to buying your first car and your head is doubtless swimming with the seemingly endless choices out there.

Whether you are buying a new car or second hand, making the right choice could save you lots of money, hassle and inconvenience.

When you first pass your test, your insurance will probably be quite expensive, especially if you are still in your teens or early-twenties and you will want to stick to a lower powered car in order to keep the costs down.

Buying New

Most people are not fortunate enough to buy a brand new first car, but if you are, you have so many options and so many ways you can save a large amount of money.

Dealerships - The obvious place to head if you're buying a new car, but be aware that dealerships frequently can be undercut by less obvious routes. It's always worth getting quotes from more than one dealership and then playing one off against the other to drive the price down.

Car Wholesalers - These are a relatively new phenomenon, selling cars at sometimes massively discounted prices. Some of these wholesalers source their vehicles from overseas, however, and you will need to carefully check the situation with regard to the car's specification as these can be different to the UK specifications. You should also ensure that the manufacturer's warranty will be honoured in the UK if the car is not a UK model.

Car Brokers - In recent years, the internet has been bursting with ever increasing numbers of car brokerage websites. Some of these sites again source their vehicles from overseas, so the savings may not be as great as they appear. However, if you can source a UK specification car from one of these sites, there are some fantastic savings to be found.

Reverse Auction - Unlike the car brokers, the reverse auction sites do not source the cars themselves. Instead, your requirements are sent to dealerships and brokerages throughout the country. You supply the site with a maximum you are prepared to pay and the dealerships and brokerages bid to win your business - If your maximum price cannot be met, then you have nothing to pay, but if it can, you'll have got your car at a really good price.

Buying Used

Buying a used car can seem like a complete minefield. From dodgy backstreet dealers selling cars that are barely fit for the road to trying to haggle on the price, knowing that you really want the car but need the price to drop significantly to be able to afford it, pitfalls are everywhere.

Private Sale - Buying a car from a private seller usually works well for both the seller and the buyer. By cutting out the middleman, both parties win. You can get some good prices, buy you won't have any comeback if there's a problem, save for whatever remains of the manufacturer's warranty (if anything).

Used Car Dealer - The traditional used car dealer has something of a bad image and, to be fair, some used car salemen do deserve this less than perfect reputation. However, there are reputable dealers around and, should you buy from one, you might pay a little over the odds for the car, but you should get some form of warranty in case there are problems.

Car Supermarket - Throughout the country, there are numerous car supermarkets who specialise in selling second hand cars at reasonable prices. These places aim to make a profit by selling as many cars as they can, each one with a relatively small margin.

Online Auction - The internet has several auction sites where you can buy or sell a used car. It is possible to pick up a car at a really good price, but make sure you know what the car is really worth and don't bid more than you can afford.

Of course, once you've decided what car to buy, you'll need to know how you will finance the purchase and insure it. Taking the Pass Plus course can help reduce the cost of insurance.

Whatever car you do end up buying, it is worth taking out breakdown recovery cover and making sure you carry out the basic everyday maintenance the car will need.