Bonjour lecteurs! What kind of driver are you? According to my driving instructor, I was maybe a bit impatient and needed to remember to slow down at times. It must be the Frenchie roots in me ? We only have one car in our household but I am hoping to buy my own one this year. So, I did a bit of research for myself, and here are 10 Things You Need To Know Before Buying Your First Car.
Think About Finances
Even though I have a dream car in mind (a Mini Cooper à la Mr Bean? Or maybe a Fiat 500), I know that my first car might not be it.
So do not get stuck at one idée.
Look at your finances and stick to your budget. It will always end up more expensive than you initially thought, especially now with the increase in petrol prices.
Shop Around
Nowadays, it is so easy to find good second-hand cars everywhere. I would shop around and take my time to compare prices.
I would never consider buying a brand-new car. We’ve always had second-hand cars and it works well for us. We’ve had our current one for over 6 years now and it is still very good.
The key is to look carefully into the car history.
Par exemple, check the car servicing. You want to avoid early problèmes as soon as possible.
Getting a brand new one makes no sense to me. You lose 20% off its value as soon as you get it.
Test Drive
I would definitely test-drive a potential car, even with used cars. I want to feel comfortable driving it.
It’s a pricey item to purchase, so you don’t want to regret it.
And if you have any doubt, just go to the next one. Listen to your instincts.
Do Your Research
Nowadays, it is so easy to find des informations online.
Search for consumer reviews of the model so that you can see if there are any common faults and avoid having a bad experience.
I would not even know where to start as I have very little experience in this area. So look for the reliability of the model. What do other consumers make of it? Are any pitfalls pointed out that would be a massive no no for you?
But Also Ask Your Mama Friends
Why not ask your entourage their opinions? We all have different needs, therefore we are after different cars.
I would ask my fellow mamas to see what works best for them with the kids, the shopping, etc.
My friend’s first car was a small model for the city.
She liked the idea at the time of purchase, but she realised quickly the boot was too small and she needed a family car.
Of course, I would look at the mileage. A car should average around 10,000 miles per year.
Find Repair Records
In addition to checking the repair history on the car you want, I would also look up the service record of the car.
When was its last car service? What did come of it?
You are 100% entitled to ask questions to the seller.
A Potential Inspection From A Mechanic?
Some also think you should get an inspection from a mechanic. It might be an extra cost, but it could save up thousands of pounds in potential repairs.
I personnellement know nothing about cars and I think that an expert’s opinion would make me feel more confident.
Don’t give in if the seller is trying to avoid it. They could be covering a serious issue with the car.
Check The Warranty Package
There are a few more things you need to know before buying your first car.
I would always take the time to get familiar with the warranty package and return policies.
You need to avoir une option to send it back if it doesn’t work for you. Especially with used cars.
Get it in writing so there is no dispute possible and you can return it within a certain period of time.
The Importance of Servicing your Car
Et voilà! Once you are the proud owner of your very first car, it’s not finished.
Car Servicing is a must!
Always do proper maintenance. If you don’t service or fix your car properly, you always end up back at the garage. It would end up costing you 10 times more if you don’t fix a problème as soon as it goes wrong.
We made that mistake with our very first car to try to cut the cost and we were back with more issues weeks later.
And change your oil on a regular basis.
So here are 10 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Car. It’s a big purchase and it can be quite frightening, but with the right research and questions, it can be a great experience!
What was your first car like? How old were you when you bought it? What is something that you wish you’d known before you bought your very first car?
Disclosure: This post is a collaborative post with ATS Euromaster for the ‘I Wish I Knew’ Campaign.
I can wait to read your thoughts and your first car stories ?
Good advice when buying any car but particularly the first
Fab points to consider – I always ask someone else to see too
Great advice thanks – always go for a test drive see how comfy it is to drive! child locks on the back doors stops kids escaping!
Great advice here, I always ask a cousin who is a car mechanic to have a look at a potential car I want to buy
Thank you for sharing this useful post.
Lots of great advice!
Some really good points – thanks
My first car was a mini. It was beige, but I had it resprayed black. I wish I’d known how badly dust particles show up on a black car. It never looked clean. I am passing this article on to my Daughter, who is currently in the market for her first car. Very sound advice.
Thank you for the great advice ?
Thank you so much for this great article.
I ploughed in blind into my first car purchase many, many years ago, these days I do a lot more pondering and saving prior to purchase.
A great article but at the end of the day one has to be very careful as usually car dealers are much more knowledgeable than the average person. My advice would be if you find a car dealer you trust stick with them even if it costs a little bit more than some others.
great tips thank you
I was lucky, I was already married to a man used to doing his own DIY, servicing etc
Good advice here, there really is so much to consider!
Love the first picture of mr. Bean we was talking about this episode the other day , he’s fantastic.
I Don’t drive myself but its something I wish I had done and hopefully will one day
Great tips and I love that Mr. Bean episode! 😀
I am desperate for a new car so this is helpful advice, thanks