This is a collaborative post by Ellie Jo with tips on buying a new family car.
If your old banger on the driveway has seen better days and it is costing you more and more each year just to keep it on the road, it might be more economical to get yourself a new motor.
Buying a new car doesn’t have to be stressful. Before you think about heading down to your local showroom and driving away a brand new set of wheels, consider the used car market. Brand new cars depreciate in value the moment you drive your new motor home. Instead, look at the classifieds, your local used car showroom and ask around neighbors. Take a look at what you should look for when buying your next family car.
Safety
Perhaps the most important thing for you to consider for your brood is the safety record of the car. The Euro NCAP safety ratings are perfect to research different makes and models of cars. With a five star rating you can feel a little more content that should you find yourself in an accident that your little ones will be safe. You could locate a car with side impact bars, advanced braking systems as well as automated hazard trackers. The advancement in safety features means cars are safer than ever. However, it always pays to investigate the safety ratings of any vehicle you are tempted to purchase for your family.
Economy
While the car you are looking to purchase might appear cheap, you need to think about the long term running costs. A cheap initial price doesn’t always equate to sound financial sense. Think about how many miles it does to the gallon, what the insurance costs will be, and whether it is a hybrid vehicle or not. While hybrids are more expensive and may require a refinance car loan, they can be infinitely cheaper to run and will cost you less to keep on the road each year. Hybrid cars are better for the environment and governments across the world are encouraging citizens to buy them so that they can meet carbon usage targets.
A reliable car will always cost less to run. As a rule of thumb go for the newest car within your budget that has the lowest mileage. Ensure that you have as much paperwork as possible and that you trust the person selling the car.
Test Drive
Never ever purchase a car without a test drive. When you drive the car the chances are the seller will be in the passenger seat. Ensure they are quiet so you can listen out for any dodgy sounds. Bring any that you hear to the seller’s attention and move on if you aren’t happy with their explanation. Take a look under the hood, look under the car and check for any bumps or scrapes. If in doubt take a petrol head with you to cast a more expert eye over any potential vehicle purchase.
Buying a new car needn’t cause panic. Follow this simple guide and bag yourself a bargain when hunting for your new set of wheels.
