What To Look For In A Car

By Madusha Emeka

When purchasing a new car there are a number of factors that should affect your thinking. After your house, a new car (fresh off the forecourt or second hand) is probably the most expensive object you will ever buy. As such you should approach the project with, if not military precision, then with at least a systematic approach.

First of all you must set out clearly what your budget is and how it is divided. Do you have a large deposit to offset against the cost of a repayment plan? An extra £3000 put down at the start will reduce the cost of the financing if not the initial cost of the car. Another important aspect of your budget will be your current car (assuming you have one). Do you want to keep it as back up or a second car, or do you want to trade it in/sell to alleviate the cost of the new purchase.

In the circumstance of buying from a forecourt or reputed dealer you may get more money off the purchase price of the new car than you would if selling for cash on the open market. Obviously if you are buying from a private seller your only effective options are a cash sale or auction.

Having set your budget and repayment options (amount and length) you now have to decide what you want to buy. New or second hand? Private seller, auction or dealer? Certainly the easiest route is the reputed car dealership. They have statutory obligations to meet for any contractual sale. On the flip side there will also be a corporate push to maximize the profit from any sale. In the same way electrical goods manufacturers will push the warranty purchase - so car salesmen will attempt to increase the value of any purchase you may make.

Here then is the second important note: decide what you want and do not let the dealership change your mind. If you want a people carrier and are not concerned about extras don't let the sales rep talk you into an upgrade. If you are not too choosy about what model you purchase you can make further savings on an out-of-date or older model. Towards the end of year number plates (even now with the new number plates there is a car sales surge in March and September). Motor companies will be anxious to clear their stocks of old models to show off their latest product. The keen buyer will be able to strike a harder bargain on such an old model in February/August.

The economic downturn will also be of benefit to you. As business falls car dealers will be more interested in hitting sales target via quantity rather than quality. If the dealership will not sell, below, say, £10000; offer to walk away from anything more than £9500. it is £500 to you and affordable to the dealership.

Private buying and auctions are simpler - you turn up with a set amount of cash and buy the car you want. The danger in any private contract is the quality of the car you intend to purchase. A gleaming coat is not a guarantee of a well looked after motor.

You must remember that in these situations "You are the buyer". If you don't want to part with your cash, you do not have to. Do not be afraid to ask awkward questions either. Ask for the logbook and full service history. Ask if it has had any work done to it - indeed if you can have something signed to this affect it will help you later if the car does in fact have defects.

Also, realise your weaknesses. If you know absolutely nothing about cars find someone who does -a friend, work colleague etc, to accompany you when inspecting a motor. A good seller will let you drive the car - take your associate with you, too. Check the milometer - a normal car does about 10,000 miles per year - if it has done much more than this it may have had an alternate history to the one advertised by the seller.

There are various websites that can advise you what to look for when buying a new/second hand - google the standard and reliable ones -the AA, RAC, What car? Etc. These will help you outline the criteria for purchase.

Overall I would suggest - ultimately - that you go on your gut feeling. If you think something is wrong do not buy. If something looks as though it is too good to be true - it probably is. A final point of reminder nowadays is the paperwork. The DVLA have accurate ownership records and you must be sure that the seller legally owns the car and is legally entitled to sell it.

In summary: do your homework and stick to your guns.

Madusha Writes freelance articles.He owns and manages http://six-bucks.net/reviews