Top car buying advice to make sure you pick the best motor to suit your needs
SELECTING the perfect car for you can be a difficult process, particularly if you're trying to stick to a budget.
Some drivers will often go for the cheapest option, while others will select the most convenient purchase at the time.
And others may opt for the first car that gets shown to them by a used car dealer.
But by doing some quick research you can avoid headaches which may present themselves further down the road.
Whether it's speed, style or budget, these are the things to consider when buying a new car.
And it's important to remember the right car depends on who you are and what you'll be doing with it.
Budget
Before heading to the car yard, it's imperative to check your finances to see what you can actually afford.
It will also prove handy if you've done some research about what kind of motors are available within this budget.
Remember that you'll also need to fork out for car insurance, regular maintenance and fuel so don't blow all your money on the motor itself.
And if you're leasing a car, the general rule is to not exceed 15 per cent of your monthly wage on regular payments.
Usage
There is no point buying a car if it doesn't suit your lifestyle and your day-to-day needs.
So by simply considering how you use your vehicle, you can eliminate many available makes and models currently on the market.
If you have a young family, you may want additional seats for children and extra boot space for luggage.
Alternatively, if you live in the city centre and use your car mainly for shopping, you may want to go for a more compact motor.
Speed/power
You need to think about how powerful you need your car to be before purchasing it.
If you regularly tow a boat or drive on the motorway, you may want to opt for a more powerful engine.
But with greater speed comes greater costs in fuel, insurance and maintenance.
Fuel efficiency
As mentioned earlier, fuel is one of the main costs associated with owning a vehicle.
So it's important to do some research on the efficiency of a motor before jumping behind the wheel.
If you live in the city and plan on completing short journeys, it may be best to opt for a petrol vehicle as diesel models can be pricey to purchase.
On the other hand, diesel models can be more economical if you're covering large distances.
Test drive
Once you've found the car for you, it's essential to organise a test drive.
A motor might seem to have all the features you want, but the true test comes when you jump in the driver's seat.
Even trivial checks like how much space there is in the back seat and boot can help you make a decision.
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Tim Alcock, spokesman for LeaseCar.uk, said : "After a house, a car is probably the second largest purchase you will ever make, so picking the right one is crucial and there are a few questions you need to ask yourself when choosing a new vehicle.
"How many passengers do you need to carry? What type of driving do you do? Do you have a long commute, and is fuel economy important to you? Will you be doing any towing? And how much garage or parking space do you have?
"There’s so many bells and whistles on modern cars, you should also consider what your must-have features are – reverse cameras and Bluetooth compatibility for example – and similarly, what safety features are important to you? Do you want blind-spot monitoring, or automatic emergency braking?
"Taking the time to properly research before you commit to a new car will ensure that your vehicle suits you and your lifestyle."