A car is a significant investment. You might put down tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of pounds. If you’re buying new, then much of that value will be taken away by acute depreciation in the first year or two of the car’s life. As such, it’s worth putting considerable thought into your choice of vehicle.
Picking out a car that fits your needs and preferences is often a matter of going through the right process. Let’s take a look at exactly what’s involved.
Assess Your Needs and Lifestyle
To begin with, you’ll need to think about what you’re going to be using the car for, and what demands will be placed on it. If you’re regularly buying sheet plywood, then you might need an estate with plenty of boot space – or even a van. If you have a large family, then you might prefer something with a spacious passenger area. On the other hand, if you’re regularly travelling long distances on your own, then a smaller vehicle with decent fuel efficiency might be the best option.
Explore Different Fuel Types and Vehicle Categories
Cars come in many different types, and many of them run on completely different types of fuel. This might have implications when it comes to efficiency and road tax. For example, electric vehicles tend to be much cheaper to tax (though it’s likely that the tax advantage will narrow as this category of vehicle becomes mainstream). Opt for a low-emission vehicle and you might also be better able to cope with clean air charges in large urban areas.
Consider Your Budget and Financing Options
Of course, among the most important limiting factors when it comes to choosing a car is the amount of money you have to spend. It’s important that you budget not just for the up-front cost of the vehicle, but also for the ongoing ones associated with fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance.
It might be that you don’t need to buy the car outright to get the best possible deal. Personal Contract Purchase, Hire Purchase, or a long-term lease might be preferable. There are many different kinds of car finance available too, – so be sure to shop around rather than settling for what you’re offered at the dealership.
Research Reliability, Safety, and Reviews
Your research should delve into the various aspects of the models you’re considering. Don’t just buy based on the headline ‘star’ rating of the vehicle in question. Instead, look at reviews that focus on a given aspect of the car’s performance.When it comes to safety, the best source of information is typically the Euro NCAP testing centre, which will subject new models to rigorous crash testing. In the case of electric vehicles, you might also factor in things like the longevity of the battery, which might inform the vehicle’s resale value in the future.