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Buying a car can be an exciting but also daunting time. There are so many options to choose from and this can make it difficult for you to know that you’re making the right choice. For most buying a car is probably one of the largest things you will spend money on after a mortgage and this means it’s crucial for you to be careful and make certain considerations. You need to think about your needs as well as your wants and also things such as your budget.
Have a look below at some of the considerations you should be making when you buy your next car.
What Are Your Needs
It’s very easy to look at cars and buy one that isn’t suited to your needs because you haven’t considered your need properly beforehand. Before you even set foot at a dealer you should already have a list in the back of your head or better yet written down with your requirements. A lot of people have a dream car but this doesn’t mean it’s your ideal car. Some of the things you should think about include:
- Space- Do you have a family? Do you need room for sports equipment? Do you need to use the car for travelling? These will affect the size you need.
Commuting- You should think about how eco-friendly your car is and how many miles to the gallon it can achieve if you’re commuting long distances you don’t want something that is going to guzzle petrol or diesel.
Accessible- If you require an accessible friendly car it’s a good idea to make sure you know exactly what you require to make a car comfortable for you.
Gadgets- If you regularly travel you might want to make sure you have a satnav. For Business use, hands-free could prove useful and if you have car seats make sure you have Isofix points. The list is endless with regards to extras you can have on a car, it’s best to prioritise as no car will have them all.
How Are You Going To Buy?
When purchasing a car it’s a good idea to set yourself a budget and then shop around to find the best deals. Some people choose to buy straight off the line and others prefer to buy second hand such as from Stephen James. There is no right or wrong way to purchase a car however, there are considerations you should make when you do which include:
What’s the age? – It’s a good idea to know exactly what age the car is if you’re planning on getting the finance you often need to have a car that’s no older than seven years old and a car should be a long term investment.
Does it have a service history?- It’s best to buy a car that has at some service history, cars that have been looked after well tend to last longer if you buy new, however, you often get serving include for the first few years.
Is there a deal to be made?- Whether you’re buying private, from a used car dealer or off the line there is normally a deal to be made. Always make sure you ask if anything can be done, you may find that you can get a better deal if you have a car to part exchange.
These are a few considerations that anyone buying a car should be making, do you have any others that should be included? Please share them in the comments below.
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