Whether you are buying new or used, buying a car is always an enormous decision to make. In addition to being a lot of money, a car is also an important part of most people’s life so you need to find one which is a good fit and ticks all of the boxes. So, how can you go about doing this and during COVID-19?
How Much Can You Afford to Spend?
The first step to take is to work out how much you can afford to spend. Keep in mind that there are a few options when it comes to financing (more on this below), but it is not just the price tag that you will need to factor in as there will also be fuel, insurance, road tax and maintenance costs all of which can add up to a significant amount. This is why you need to look into how much you can afford to spend, which will then help to guide your decision.
Buying Options
Following on from this, you have several options when it comes to buying the car. You can either buy brand new, which has obvious benefits but can be more expensive. Many people shop in the used car market, which can be a great way to save money but you must also be careful and always buy from a reliable dealership. You may also be able to part-exchange your current vehicle, which would be a good way to make the purchase easier to manage.
You then have options in terms of how you pay for the vehicle. Paying the full amount upfront will work out cheaper in the long-run as you will have no interest to pay, but this is also unrealistic for many. This is why finance deals are so popular and can be a great way to spread the cost of the vehicle and make it easier to manage.
Determining Your Needs
At this stage, you will want to think about your needs from the car which should help you to determine a category or two. It is likely that you will already have a good idea of what kind of car would work well for you, but you should consider factors such as interior space, storage, MPG, performance, looks, safety and practicality. You should also think if your needs will change in the next few years. Once you have considered all of this and determined the type of car that is best for your needs, you can then begin to research your options available in this class and draw up a shortlist.
Research
Ordinarily, at this point, you would then start researching availability and visiting car dealerships. Obviously, this is slightly trickier during COVID-19 with car dealerships not set to open till April 12th (at the earliest). Fortunately, you can still buy cars remotely and arrange home delivery or click and collect. Of course, it is always said that you should never buy a car without taking a test drive and this remains true, so you should always opt for a dealership that allows test drives -- these are often unaccompanied or with a member of staff but always abiding by rules and regulations.
Buy From a Reliable Dealership
You should always buy your car from a reliable dealership and make sure that it has positive reviews. You can usually find manufacturer-owned dealerships, such as a Peugeot dealer selling Vauxhall cars, which is always a smart way to buy new and often you can benefit from the best deals and finance options. Additionally, be sure to negotiate as you might be able to make big savings if you haggle with the dealer (particularly towards the end of sales quarters).
Remember Paperwork
Paperwork is also a hugely important factor to consider when buying a car. Before paying for the car, you will want to make sure that you have:
- The logbook (V5C)
- Servicing booklet
- Manuals
- Sales contract
- Finance package
Cover
You also need to make sure that you have car insurance in place before you get behind the wheel, even if this is temporary drive away insurance while you arrange a proper policy. In addition to car insurance, you will also want to check the warranty status and buy an extended warranty if buying used and the original manufacturer warranty has expired. GAP insurance could be worthwhile for a new car and could save you thousands if the vehicle is ever written off.
Buying a new car can be daunting even for an experienced motorist, especially during times like these. Hopefully, this guide will help you throughout the process and help you to find a vehicle that is within your budget, one that ticks all of the boxes and a good fit for your lifestyle. Buying a car is always a big decision and a lot of money, so you need to have confidence and take your time to find the right fit.
Comments