Our Guide to Selecting a New Car

Do I need a new car?

This is the first thing you should ask yourself. Put simply, new cars are expensive and you need to be sure that you’re buying it for a reason. Buying a new model is an investment, so you need to make sure that you’re prepared to have the car for some years to validate your purchase. This is mainly since the car depreciates in value considerably within its first few years. However, the warranties and surety of quality that you get with a new car are often seen as good reasons for purchasing.

What car should I buy?

Ultimately your car should be suited to your circumstances. Here are some crucial factors to consider:

Usage: Your mileage is the most important thing to consider when you buy a new car. If you know your mileage is going to be high, a fuel-efficient model is the priority. You may also want to consider a slightly larger engine. On the other hand, if your mileage is lower (e.g. for driving around town) then a smaller model will be cheaper and more appropriate to your needs.

Number of seats: If you have four regular passengers in the car, a two-seater is immediately ruled out. On the other hand, a seven-seater would be excessive. You ultimately need to consider the comfort of your passengers as well yourself.

Boot space: Many people see a larger boot as being a priority exclusively to families. However, this is not true. It’s important to consider how much you travel and hobbies that require equipment too.

What other factors are there?

There are various immediate practicalities when you buy a new car (i.e. number of seats, car type) but there are also some long-lasting factors you should consider:

Fuel: You may love all the specifications of a car and then find out it’s far too expensive to run. Make sure you check the rough costs of running the car you want via a fuel consumption tool.

Tax: Every car has to pay a road tax but depending on the CO2 emissions this can vary from model to model. It’s important to know what band your car sits in using the GOV website before purchase.

Insurance: This is probably the most important factor that can easily get forgotten when you’re buying a new car. Insurance is determined by many factors such as the car’s 0-60mph, horsepower, model type (e.g. sport versus people mover); insurance can often be one of the most expensive mistakes to not look into.

Haggle, always

Last, and by no means least, you should always haggle when it comes to buying a new car. The most important part of this is doing your research. Here are some things you should know before you step into the dealership:

• Have a good understanding of the model, engine and specifications you want and what you should be paying.
• The price on the window screen is always a starting point.
• Always be prepared to walk away. It puts you in a stronger position and you don’t lose anything.

Also, remember: When you’re haggling you have to be reasonable. If you present a ludicrous offer to the dealership on your perfect car, you’re hindering your chances of securing a purchase.

Ready to buy a new car?

If you’ve considered all of the factors concerning your new car and you feel ready to make a purchase, the last thing to consider is your car finance. My Car Credit have a panel of trustworthy lenders that will be happy to discuss your purchase. Start your journey with an application with us today!