Buying a car
When buying a car price is only one of many considerations. Always take your time and "get a feel" for the market. Look through papers and magazines, consult car buyers guides, visit showrooms and talk to friends. Remember: anyone can buy a poor car; only a knowledgeable person will get the best value. There are so many things to consider and the lowest priced car is not necessarily the best value. Keep in mind the following checklist.
Insurance class
cars are rated in classes e.g. Class 2 ....and this is determined by many factors. The higher the rating, the more expensive insurance will be. A young driver will pay more because of age and lack of driving experience. The cost will diminish year on year up to a maximum of 65% discount (NO CLAIMS BONUS), provided no claims are made on the insurance. It pays to be a safe driver.
Finance
this calls for expert advice. Good advice can save you a lot of money. A simple guide is to look at the APR when you compare finance deals. This gives some indication of how much you will pay to borrow money to buy the car. Will you have to put down a deposit, will the deposit be cash or cheque? Always ask for a receipt when cash changes hands.
Warranty
what type of warranty is on offer? How long will it last? What does it cover, will it cover parts and labour? Is a courtesy car available whilst your car is being serviced? Will the courtesy car come to your door? There is nothing worse than thinking you have a good deal and then discovering that your old classmate has obtained a far better deal.
Inspection
take someone who is knowledgeable about cars along with you to inspect the car. The owner of a "genuine" car will be able and willing to answer any questions quickly and accurately. Take a good look at the bodywork. Is it clean and well kept with no signs of damage or excessive wear? Are the tyres inflated properly and evenly worn? Do a thorough check underneath - get it up on a ramp and have an inspection light. With regard to the interior: check that it is clean and well cared for; that everything is in working order. Look at the mileage clock; does the state of the car correspond to the mileage. An average year's mileage is 10,000 miles.
Test drive
Here you can test the condition of brakes, clutch and engine. Does it drive smoothly, is there a smoky and noisy exhaust? Does it feel right? After the engine has warmed up, check for oil and water leaks.
Price and resale
Always haggle over price; remember the value of anything is the price that you agree to pay for it. The first thing to consider is the resale value. Will you get a good price for it in a year or two? Some cars (very few) have been known to go up in value with age.
Documentation
Has the car a current MOT. (Required four years from the date of the first registration). Is the vehicle registration book available and do the details agree with the car engine and chassis number? Remember, this document does not prove legal ownership .You must satisfy yourself that the seller either owns the vehicle or is entitled to sell it. The motoring organisations will run a check on the car for a small fee.
