Buying a car can be both exciting and daunting. There is a lot that you need to decide upon. Firstly, you’ll need to have a budget in mind, then you’ll need to do some research into the vehicle that you plan on buying.
You’ll need to decide whether to buy a new car or a used car. If you are getting a new car, will you lease or buy a car? If you are buying a used car, will it come from a car dealer or do you plan on buying from a private seller?
Then there are other considerations such as working out when the best time of year to buy a car is. If you are left completely bamboozled by the prospect of buying, you’re probably not alone.
To help you out, we’ve created this beginner’s guide on how to buy a car.
Set a Budget
The first thing that you’ll need to do when buying a car is to set a budget. Decide whether you can afford to buy a car outright, or whether you will need to either lease a vehicle or buy one on finance.
If you are planning on buying the car outright, decide how much you can afford. You will need to remember that there are other costs associated with buying a vehicle. These include the costs of running the vehicle as well as any ongoing repairs needed to keep the vehicle on the road.
If you plan on buying a vehicle on finance, it might be a good idea to get pre-approved for your vehicle before you start shopping. That way, you’ll know exactly how much of a loan you will be able to get.
New vs. Used
One of the things that you’ll need to decide is whether you’ll buy a new car or a used one. There are benefits for both options.
New cars are often the more expensive option. The benefit of buying a new vehicle is that you will be the first person to own it. You’ll have a full warranty and you shouldn’t have any problems with the car.
If you decide to buy a second-hand vehicle, you will need to know how to buy a used car. There is more that could go wrong with a used car, so you will need to beware.
Often, a vehicle will be sold as seen. This means that it is down to you to do your due diligence and find any faults with the vehicle before you buy it. Problems with the car may not mean that you shouldn’t buy it, more that you need to consider repairs.
Do Your Research
Before you buy a car, you should do some research into the vehicle that you plan to buy. The research should be focused on several key areas. These include:
- Researching the make and model
- Carrying out a background check on the vehicle in question
- Checking on insurance prices
Let’s take a look in more depth at these points.
Read Up On the Car You Plan to Buy
The first thing that you should do is read up on the make and model of the vehicle that you plan to buy. Find out practical considerations such as how good the fuel consumption of the vehicle is as well as the availability and prices of common spare parts.
You will want to read reviews of the car that you plan to buy. Find out what the vehicle is like to drive and what features it has.
Make Sure the Car Hasn’t Been Stolen or Crashed
In an ideal world, everyone would be honest and there would be no need to check to see whether a vehicle has been stolen or has previously been written off following an accident.
Unfortunately, there are dishonest people out there that make it essential to carry out background checks on the vehicle that you plan on buying.
Before you agree to buy a particular vehicle, run the VIN check through EpicVIN. They will let you know if the vehicle has ever been in an accident, has been stolen, or has finance outstanding on it.
Check Insurance Prices
You’ll need to take out motor insurance on the vehicle you plan on buying. Insurance prices will vary depending on a variety of circumstances. These include:
- The make and model of the car that you are buying
- The age of the driver
- The address at which the car will be kept overnight
- The type of driving that will be done in the vehicle
- Any previous accidents or motoring convictions that the driver may have had
The level of insurance cover will also affect the cost of your insurance.
Shop around for quotes from insurance companies. There may be comparison sites that will bring together quotes from several different insurers in one place.
Take the Car for a Test Drive
Once you have decided on which car you are interested in buying, it will be time to take your car for a test drive.
If you’re buying a new car, you’ll be looking to see how you feel about the overall driving experience. Pay attention to how comfortable the vehicle is and how well it drives.
If you are buying a used car, you will need to pay close attention to the sound of the engine, and the way that the vehicle drives.
Carry out maneuvers in the car. This will help you test the vehicle’s steering, gears, and brakes to the fullest. Try to drive the vehicle on a range of different roads so that you can see how it handles at different speeds.
When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?
If you’re looking to buy a car, the best time to do this will be the end of the year.
Showrooms have a quota to meet and are often driving sales at this time. You may pick up a bargain.
How to Buy a Car
Before you buy a car you must do your research. Make sure you know all of the facts about the vehicle that you’re buying before you part with any cash.
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