Getting your first car is an exciting thing, but some kind find it intimidating or even a stressful ordeal. It doesn’t have to be either of these things at all though, as long as you do a little preparation.
In this guide, we provide tips for those looking to buy a car for the first time soon and answer some of the main questions first time buyers are likely to have.
What do I need to buy a car?
The first and most important step to take when buying a car (whether it be new or used) is to establish the budget you can spend on this. We’re not just referring to the price you’ll obviously pay to buy the car itself.
Alongside the cost of the car, you’ll need to factor in other expenditures including Vehicle Excise Duty (also known as car tax or road tax), car insurance and preferably an estimate on how much you’ll likely spend on fuel on a weekly/monthly basis while owning the new car.
You should factor all this in to work out how much in total a car you’re interested in is set to cost you if you go for it. The question to ask is if the car is realistically affordable alongside other expenses you may have such as your mortgage/rent, bills and other reoccurring costs.
What to consider when buying a car
There are all sorts of different categories for cars. If you’re not already sure which one suits your needs best, you’ll need to consider what needs your car will need to support and then pinpoint which type of car fits in to your requirements.
For instance, if you just want your car to be an affordable and easy-to-use motor, and you don’t mind it being small, then a city car or supermini makes the most sense.
If you expect you’ll be doing a lot of long-distance trips, then something with a frugal engine and smooth ride is preferable. In that case you may want to look in the executive car segment if you have the budget.
Alternatively, if you have a family you need to support with your car, then you’ll want to look at larger and more practical vehicles such as a family hatchback. Something even larger like an estate or MPV may be better if you have a large family and need plenty of load space.
If, on the other hand, you want your first car to be a fun motor more than anything else, then it’s probably wise not to jump into an extreme performance car right away. You could, however, still get something reasonably nippy with sporty characteristics like a ‘warm’ hatch or one of the more affordable coupes or convertibles on the market.
How much to spend on first car
Everyone loves a good deal, but how much is reasonable to spend on your first car depends on the budget you have and what you’re willing to spend.
That’s a decision for you to make, but what we will add is that it’s worth remembering that there are all sorts of ways that motorists can finance a car purchase regardless of age and experience.
If, say, buying a car outright seems daunting or unrealistic, there are plenty of other methods worth considering including PCP finance, Hire Purchase, Personal Loans, Personal Contract Hire and Lease Purchase.
How to buy car insurance for the first time
If you’ve picked out a car which you’re seriously considering buying, then it’s best to get an understanding of what you can expect to pay for insuring it before you commit any money towards getting it.
Getting affordable car insurance can be a challenge, especially if you’re a young or inexperienced driver.
There are numerous websites you can use to show you the cheapest insurance quotes you can expect on a particular car from different insurers. So search around and compare different car options to get a feel for what you need to spend and what’s more affordable.
Cars use insurance grouping numbers from 1-50, with cars falling under 1 being the cheapest to insure and those in 50 being the most expensive. It’s worth finding out the insurance group number the car you’re interested in falls under and if you’re struggling to find an affordable premium, you may want to consider an alternative car with lower insurance grouping.
When you find an insurance quote your happy with, then completing an online form to get the cover on your car is a straightforward process. When you have a confirmed date for the arrival/purchase of your new car, that is the best time to activate your insurance cover.
Best first cars for new drivers
You may be asking what is a good first car to buy. Taking into account everything that has been mentioned above, a first time car owner is likely to want something that’s compact, cheap to buy, manoeuvrable, easy to drive and park, and has a low insurance group number.
With all this in mind, you can check out our recommendations in our separate guide to the Best First Cars For a Newly Qualified Driver to Buy.
