Media post: 5 questions to ask yourself before buying a car

Are you looking to buy a new car soon? Is it your first car? Not sure where to start?  We’re here to help! No matter if you’re buying your first car or you’re a seasoned car buying veteran, there are a few things you should consider before heading to the dealership. Make the whole process smooth and ensure you’re getting a car you can actually afford to pay for. Our guide below covers the top 5 questions you should ask yourself before you buy your next car!

1.      What can I afford?

The first thing you should ask yourself before you shop for your next car is can you afford to get a new car? If you’re financing a car, a car payment calculator can be used to see how much you could borrow, based on your monthly budget. It gives you an accurate idea of car finance rates and the sorts of cars you could get within your budget. If you’re buying a car with cash, look at how much you currently have saved, or will need to save, in order to get the car you want. When shopping round for cars, it’s so important that you don’t stray from your budget. It can be easy to get carried away when car buying but shopping for cars within your budget can avoid overspending or missing car finance payments in the future.

2.      How will I use the car?

How far you drive, how often you drive, and how many people you drive around can all affect the type of car you will need to buy. Things like how far you drive and how often can affect the fuel type you choose. Longer journeys or motorway driving are best suited to cars with high MPGs, like diesel cars. City driving and shorter journeys are ideal for cars with small economical engines, like petrol or Evs. If you have a family or are starting a family soon, you’ll also need to think about how much space you’ll need in the car. SUVs tend to be a good choice for economical cars but with enough room for the family.

3.      Do I want a new or used car?

There are many advantages to both brand new and second-hand cars. Brand-new cars are tempting because they’re something special about being the first ever owner of that car and there’s no denying that beautiful new car smell! Brand new cars mean you get all the latest technology and features; the best safety equipment and you can customise it to how you want. If you’re in the market for a second-hand car, there’s an abundance of choice, they’re cheaper to buy and they usually depreciate at a slower rate.  Comparing finance deals for both new and used cars can help you to get a car that’s right for you in a budget that’s affordable.

4.      Which car features are a ‘must have’?

For a long time, getting a car with all the bells and whistles meant having to fork out for the top of the range, brand new model. However, cars now come with plenty of features as standard and they can even be included when buying second hand too! Popular car features that are desirable to drivers can include assistance features that make driving easier, such as blind spot monitoring and parking sensors. Other features like satellite navigation or smartphone compatibility can help to make your journey easier and stress-free. If you know there are certain car features which you want, have an idea of them before you start shopping for your car!

5.      Which fuel type is right for me?

Drivers are spoilt for choice and now have more options than ever when it comes to choosing a fuel type for their next car. Petrol and diesel cars solely rely on fuel to power the vehicle. Eletric cars are powered by electricity and hybrid cars are a mixture of fuel and electricity. Petrol and diesel cars tend to be the most popular choice, but hybrid and electric cars are growing in popularity. Hybrid and electric cars are eco-friendly because they release no or low amounts of pollutants into the environment when driving.  Exploring all fuel types in more detail can help you to decide which is right for you before you start shopping around.