There should be no need to discuss the benefits of owning a car. The independence offered to you by a motor should be enough for you to invest.
The sense of freedom afforded to an individual via car ownership might not exist elsewhere. In fact, if you’ve never owned a car before, you might be unaware of it! Cars offer a lot to life.
The trouble is, car ownership doesn’t come cheap. Not only do you have to buy the car, but you’ve also got to insure it and fuel it. This is going to cost you a lot of money!
Thankfully, there’s a lot of workarounds and tips. If you’re looking to get your first car, or even your next car, here’s some help.
Firstly, you’ve got to make sure you are qualified to drive. Driving lessons can come expensive, so try and find a bundle offer for a cheaper option. This isn’t something you can skip. Get qualified as soon as possible and you’ll be licensed to drive.
The next step is to buy a car. This isn’t easy.
Usually, you’ll be looking to buy a used car. Buying used can sometimes be a terrible experience. You may be paying for a scrap of junk and be contractually obliged to buy it.
What you need to do first of all is gather your money. How much can you afford to pay? Remember that you need to afford the running costs and not just the car itself. Get all of your cash together to see what your maximum spend can be. There are plenty of loans available and if you do choose to borrow, remember to compare car loans so you can choose the best option for you, your future care, and your wallet.
Then you need to do your research. There are thousands upon thousands of possible cars for you, so what brand or model will you choose? Check reviews and go for reliability over style if it’s your first car. If you do your research correctly, you’ll know exactly how much you should be paying; key when buying a used car. Not only that, but you’ll know how the car should look and what parts it should have. You’ll know if you’re being sold a dud.
Now, with your model in mind and the cash in your hand, you should be ready to buy.
There are plenty of places that will be willing to sell your chosen car. From websites like Ebay to the gentleman down the road. A franchised dealer is going to sell you a better quality car, but at a higher price. Franchises give you the most legal protection and are likely the safest option when buying for the first time. It’s going to cost you, though. The little sister of a franchised dealer is the indie dealer. Independents are going to be similar in style to the franchises, but the quality of the cars on offer are going to vary, sometimes wildly – you also won’t get the same after-sale care as you would with a franchise, but it’s not going to put a hole in your wallet.
Auctions are a fantastic way of picking up a car. If you’re lucky, you might get your desired model for cheap. Most cars are ‘sold as seen,’ so your research will come in handy here, because if you buy a car with faults, well, that’s your fault! Nothing will be forcefully hidden from you at an auction site, but you must be wary.
Private sellers are the most common sellers of cars in the modern age. Apps and websites make it easier than ever to buy used motors from private sellers, but this is where you must be most cautious. Your car is likely going to be insanely cheap, but you won’t know what you are buying if you haven’t done your research. Inspect the car and don’t be afraid to walk away if you are not satisfied. Look for signs of damage rather than wear and tear. Look for rust and dirty engines over scratches! This is the only time you’re going to be sold a car that won’t work and it’s on you if you buy it.
The path after purchase isn’t long, but it’s expensive. You need to be insured to drive. Car insurance is something with a lot of options and workarounds. You can pay your large insurance bill monthly and even fit a mileage tracker to your car to lower costs. The downside is, you’ll still be paying towards a large sum if you are a first-time driver because that’s how this system works and you can’t drive without insurance. Bite the bullet, find the right deal for you and get on the road.
It doesn’t end with the new car and it’s insurance. Driving a car is going to be a constant expense. Your car needs to be looked after to ensure that it is in good condition for the road. Regularly checks, spark plug changes, oil and tyre changes are needed. Not only that but a MOT is going to cost you. Look after your car and do everything possible to ensure that it is kept in good condition, these are going to be occasional small expenses that are going to not only save your car from failure, but will save your wallet from a huge expense when everything goes wrong. If you neglect your new car, everything will go wrong, and you will be spending a lot more than planned. Keep it in shape.
Buying a car is a minefield, but not if you’re armed with the right cash, the right advice, and the right research. Don’t be forced into a purchase and feel free to walk away from a car deal. Remember that you can’t walk away from insurance, though! This cycle will never end as your car likely won’t last you for life, so always be prepared to upgrade when necessary. See you on the road!
