Your Personal Checklist For A New Car

Whether it’s your first car or just time for a change, getting a new car is always a memorable moment. That new car smell, that shiny polished look, those mark-free seats… it’s always exciting!

However, the process can be complicated. What car is best? What would best suit you? Deciding on the right vehicle is a big decision!

That’s why you should take the time to make sure it’s the right choice for you. To help with this decision and to make sure you’re ready for a new car, here is a handy checklist…

1. You’ve set your budget

Firstly, you need to understand how much you can spend. However, this isn’t just the cost of the car, but the ongoing expenses too.

The price of the car is just the beginning. There’s no point buying a car that will sit in the driveway unused due to other costs! Examples of these costs are fuel, tax, and insurance cover.

To truly understand your budget, find your dream car. Then, research its fuel consumption, tax costs and ask for insurance quotes. You’ll paint a clearer picture of an accurate budget by doing this.

2. You’ve done your own research

Every person is different, so, naturally, every driver is different too. What could be someone’s dream car could be your worst nightmare.

Take time to understand what would suit you. Are you a solo driver, or are you the family taxi? Do you cart around a lot of equipment and need extra boot space? How often do you spend on the road? These are all questions you should ask yourself.

Further questions to ask include…

• What engine size best suits you?

• What fuel should you go for?

• What about going green and electric?

• Should you get 3 or 5 doors?

• Do you need extra seats?

• What additional features interest you? Would you like parking sensors, cameras, WiFi, heated seats…?

After doing a bit of your own research, read different reviews of the cars you’re thinking of buying. This will give you a better understanding of what to expect.

3. You’ve decided between a Car Broker or Dealership

After narrowing down what cars you’re interested in, it’s now time to speak to the experts. But, you need to decide if you want to go to a car broker or dealership.

Both will sell you a car but have slight differences in how they go about it. For an unbiased middleman with the best deals, you’ll need a car broker. However, this option usually takes longer as the car must be ordered.

On the other hand, a car dealership has a showroom of cars that you can test, ask questions about, and drive away with a new car that same day. However, this is more expensive as dealerships can’t offer the same deals as an independent broker.

4. You’ve chosen between a used or new car

Your budget may dictate this point for you. If you don’t have a lot of money to work with, buying a used car could be the option for you. However, while you will save money initially, you could end up paying more due to underlying problems.

Whereas new cars often come with warranties. This means if you find a problem, it will be fixed thanks to this cover. There are often financing options available for these cars, which can spread the price into more affordable chunks.

5. Always test drive before buying

Now you’ve done your research, you’ve asked all the questions, read all the reviews, now it’s time to buy.

Wait, hold on, not yet!

Always test drive a car before purchase. This will clearly indicate if it’s a right fit for you. Note how you feel driving it – do you feel comfortable? Relaxed? Do you like the car’s features? Experiencing these things first-hand will help with your decision.

If, after this, you’re still in love – then what are you waiting for? It’s time to take your car home and breathe in that new car smell!

Conclusion

While buying a new car can be stressful, it should be fun too. It’s always exciting getting used to a new vehicle.

With this checklist in mind, you should now be prepared to pick your new car. Remember to drive safe and enjoy the new ride!