Tips To Buy First Car

It’s the most exciting and important moment when it comes to buying your first car. You will never forget your first car whether you save up money for it. Get it as a present from your mum and dad or get finance for your dream car. In this post team of driving instructors in Luton and Kettering will put important information together and useful tips to buy first car.

Follow the below mentioned instructions to make sure you get the good and nice car and don’t waste your money on rubbish cars.

Set Budget – Tips to Buy First Cat

Budget is the key factor when it comes to one of your biggest purchase. Set maximum price in your mind. Always be realistic with your budget. Extending budget beyond your financial situation may lead to serious problems later on for example unexpected drop in income in future.

Your budget determines whether you can buy used or new car. Also keep in mind the running costs, maintenance and everyday expenses of the car advised by driving schools in Wellingborough. Which includes the following:

Fuel: Is the everyday expense to run the car. Buy a car that you can afford to put fuel in future.
Car Insurance: It can be expensive for new motorists especially if you are under the age of 25. Insurance may also be expensive if you are looking to buy a car with bigger engine.
Road Tax: It depends on the car engine size, fuel type and CO2 emissions when it was first registered.
Car Service: Get your car serviced regularly to keep it healthy and to avoid any break down. It includes changing engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter and pollen filter.
Tyres: They are also one of the expense you have to keep in mind. Good quality tyres last long. You can also buy used or part worn tyres if you can’t afford to buy new one. Tyres legal thread depth requirement in the UK is 1.6mm. Tyres less than legal requirement can lead to fine and 3 points each tyre on your driving licence.
MOT Test: Car must undergo annual MOT if it’s more than 3 years old. It makes sure that car is road worthy. MOT test fee varies between £35 and £60. Most MOT test centres allow free re-test if you bring your car back within 10 working days.
Brake Pads: Change brake pads on your car every 10000 – 20000 miles depends on the brake pads quality and how harsh you use them. It will cause damage to brake discs if you don’t change brake pads in good / recommended time.

Finding the First Car – Tips to Buy First Car

Now you have set the car budget. It’s time to find the best car within the budget. These days buying a new car is the easiest part. You can easily find local car dealers online for new cars. They even can deliver car to your home address. We spoke to our instructors who teach driving lessons in Lowestoft said same way people can buy used cars.

If you are looking to buy a used car from private seller then online search is useful and best source to buy first car at competitive price. It may take some time to get the best deal.

New Car Inspection

When buying a new car, you are covered with a warranty and protected by law if anything goes wrong. We suggest you to have a visual check on the car before driving it off. In case if you see any little dent or scratch when you get home. It may be difficult to prove that it was already and did not happen on the way to home.

Used Car Inspection

You have to be careful and vigilant when buying a used or second hand car. Most likely you will buy a used car either from a private seller or car dealer. When you buy a car from some car dealer or car showroom, you may have some protection on the car. Whereas you need to be more careful when buying first car from a private seller.

Buying From a Car Dealer

Remember following if buying a used car from a car dealer:

Used car dealers are legally bound to make sure that cars they sell are of satisfactory quality. Fit for driving purpose which means the car should be capable of carrying out all the necessary functions. They should sell a car that meet all the legal requirements.

Most car dealers are members of trade association and their vehicles are checked independently. They meant to follow codes of practice. Car dealers are not responsible for any misuse of car by you.

Buying Car From a Private Seller

Our team of experts from Rushden strongly advise the following checks when buying from a private seller to make sure you are not buying unsafe or stolen car.

Always Ask Seller the Following

Ask seller for the car recent MOT test certificate number, model, make and registration number.
Cross check the details given by seller with DVLA. You can do this online.
Check MOT history and current status online and also check if the vehicle has been recalled because of any serious or dangerous safety problem.
It’s always good idea to get car hpi check. It tells you if the car has any finance, been write off by insurance company and all other necessary details.

Check The Following When See the Car

See the V5C log book also called vehicle registration certificate. “No V5C no buying”.
Match the details in the V5C and the details you have been given by the seller.
Check and make sure the VIN (vehicle indenfication number) and engine number match on the V5C log book.
Have a good look around the car. Look for any scratches and dents. Also look if any part has been repaired or re-spared.

Take a Test Drive

Next stage of our tips to buy first car is take a test drive if you are satisfied with the above mentioned steps. Don’t buy car if seller does not allow to have test drive. As per driving instructors in Corby, keep in mind the following when go for test drive.

Hear engine sound carefully for any engine noise or problems. Make sure the smoke is not black.
Check the clutch by testing the biting point. If biting point is too high that means clutch is almost gone and needs a new clutch which can cost you fortune.
When turning left / right and hear for any clunking noise in steering column and steering rack. Also check if steering wheel is vibrating while driving.
Drive through the bumpy road and listen for any odd noise and problems at front of the car.
Drive at high speed and analyze how car respond as you accelerate. Check if car is vibrating or pulling on one side.
Make sure gear change is smooth when shifting gears.

Finally don’t forget to insure and tax if you buy a new or used car.

We hope you have found this article useful. Speak to our team who provide driving lessons in Northampton if you need more help or advise on how to buy first car. Like us on facebook and follow us on twitter