Guide to buying your first car

When buying your first car it is essential that you know what you are looking for.  To help you find the perfect set of wheels, here are some helpful points to consider when purchasing your first car.

1. Budget

How much you have to spend – and how you will pay for your car: cash or credit, bank loan or finance.

Consider running costs: road tax, MOT, fuel, repairs, servicing and insurance.

2. Insurance

Young drivers (aged 17-25) pay higher insurance because they are an unknown risk. Many factors comprise your insurance quote: your age, address, where you park at night, car details, engine size, and so on.  Visit our insurance page to find the perfect policy for you.

Remember: you can pay lower premiums (by as much as a third) if you do a ‘Pass Plus’ course – and pick an insurer who is part of the scheme. Check with your instructor for details.

3. Acquiring your car

You can choose to buy from a car auction, a private dealer, a private seller or a main dealership. Shop around! Consult the Internet, buying guides, the AA or RAC – or someone you trust who knows about cars.

4. Choosing your car

Before buying a car – especially a used car – take it for a test drive. Listen to the engine noise; does it clunk or rattle? Do the brakes work? Does the car stop in a straight line? Is the braking smooth? Does it feel reassuring?

If the car is over 3 years old, check the MOT, remembering that it is no guarantee that the car is working perfectly at the moment of sale; it only means that, at the time of the MOT, it fulfilled certain criteria.

Have a look at the service record and any documentation included (garage receipts for work done). Do the registration documents describe the car properly? Does it all match up correctly? Is the mileage reasonable? Are the tyres good?

Which cars are cheap to insure for new drivers?

Take a look at our guide to find out which cars are the cheapest to insure for young drivers.

5. Auction

This is the riskiest way to buy a car. You must know what is going on. Take someone knowledgeable and trustworthy with you, and go as a spectator at first to get a feel of the place and process.

Decide your budget and stick to it; it is too easy to get excited and exceed it: potentially a costly mistake!

Very important: read the auction terms and conditions. Assess the cars in daylight; take a test drive if possible. If you are unsure about the safety or legality of any car, stay away from it; auctions are used by the less scrupulous to dump illegal or dangerous cars onto unsuspecting punters. Take someone with you who knows about cars; listen to their advice. If in doubt, do not buy.

6. Used Car Sales

Sometimes, it might be better to go for a vehicle that has passed a part-inspection. You will find these cars at well-known dealerships, having been traded in for new ones. Used cars go through rigorous inspection and repair, before they are sold. Warranties are available.

Of course, these cars will cost a little more than those from private or auction sales, but you can feel more secure – and you have some come-back if things go wrong.

7. New Car Sales

Buying a new car is exciting but costly. A new car will have to be taken in for regular servicing to maintain the warranty. However, they will also have modern anti-theft devices as standard.

You may get good deals on a new car purchase, such as free insurance or free road tax for a year. Do research!

8. Now that you have your car

Buying your first car is an exciting time. However, before the freedom of the road hypnotises you, take some safety precautions:

If you are going on a long journey, especially at night, make sure you have enough fuel to get home.

Take your mobile phone, charged and in credit. Take a ‘sat-nav’ AND an up-to-date road map.

Let somebody reliable know where you are going, and when you are likely to get back.

Always lock your car doors – and, if you need to ask directions, only put the window down a few inches, and keep the engine running. Park in a well lit street.

Above all, be safe.