New Car Checklist: Do’s & Don’ts

So you’ve decided to buy a new car, but not quite sure what to expect? Or perhaps, you’ve never dealt with a dealership, or you don’t really know where to start. Unfortunately, buying a car can be a stressful experience, but with a few tricks up your sleeve, it doesn’t need to be!

Whether this is your first car or you’re considering car finance, it’s worth creating a budget to know how much you can reasonably afford. Then there’s the vehicle itself to think about.

No matter what stage of the process you are at, we’re here to help you navigate these confusing waters. Here we’ve rounded up some do’s and don’ts to make your buying experience run smoothly:

Do make a budget

Regardless of how much you love the brand new roadster on the showroom floor or how much you need a new family-friendly car, you need to be able to afford it! Without a budget in mind, you can easily get ripped off or spend above your means – both avoidable things. 

Simply go through your monthly spending habits, and create a budget that includes:

• Current running costs, insurance, tax, fuel etc
• Mortgage, rent
• Utilities and bills
• Food & other living costs
• Disposable income (what you have left at the end of the month) 

Do your research

Now that you have a budget in mind, you can start looking and shopping around. Get a feel for how much a particular make and model costs, what car financing options are available and whether it’s worth buying a brand new vehicle, nearly new or secondhand. 

Arriving at the dealership or engaging in a private sale without sound knowledge of what’s available on the market and what sort of price you should be paying will ensure you get the car that is most affordable to you. 

Do consider car finance

While you’re hunting around for your dream car, take a moment to consider car finance. Gone are the days when upfront cash payments are common – now, car finance is king when buying a vehicle. 

Whether you get out a personal loan, consider Hire Purchase, a Personal Contract Purchase or scoop up a 0% finance deal, there is a car finance deal that will work with your individual circumstances. Plus, you get more choice from colour, engine size to trim, as well as other perks such as servicing included. 

Even if you have struggled to get a loan before due to limited credit history, or you’ve faced financial struggles in the past, missed a payment or are self-employed, bad credit car finance is available from companies such as Carvine.

With your budget in mind, compare deals online and consider what is on offer at the dealership. It’s the best way to get your hands on the newest, tech-savvy and safest vehicles around with low fixed monthly payments. What’s more, most finance deals cover used car sales too. 

Do think about electric

Sustainable, green living isn’t just a mild concept anymore. Now that the UK government has set 2030 as the end of all new petrol and diesel sales, quickly followed by hybrids in 2035, the future is pointing towards electric. 

With various buying incentives, including the Plug-In Grant scheme, up to £2,500 for most EVs under £40,000, you could bag yourself a real bargain. 

Do book a test drive

Try before you buy is a mantra you should stick to when purchasing any car, no matter how new or old it is. 

Any reputable dealership or private seller (don’t forget to ask about insurance first) will want you to take the car for a spin before you buy it. While in the driver’s seat, you can:

• Get a feel for how well the car handles
• Find out if you feel comfortable
• How much space there is
• Listen out for any clunky or odd whirring sounds from the engine, clutch or exhaust
• Check out the interior and exterior up close

During your test drive, if at any time you feel uncomfortable or don’t like something about the car, you are well within your rights to walk away from the sale. 

Don’t forget about depreciation

All cars lose their value. But what’s most alarming is within their first year, they can lose anywhere between 15-35% of their value and up to 50% or more after three years. While some makes and models depreciate more than others, it’s worth bearing in mind.

If you opt for a secondhand, you dodge the depreciation bullet, as the previous owner will have taken the more significant financial hit. But if you opt for a new or nearly new vehicle, that responsibility will be yours. 

However, the newer the car, the less likely you are to have expensive complications at the garage. Plus, if you opt for electric, you will save on fuel, servicing expenses, and more. 

Don’t worry about range anxiety

Ok, this is part red herring, part reality. Range anxiety isn’t the fearsome beast it once was. With more and more electric charging points, including rapid, being installed up and down the country, EV technology is well supported. 

With certain models tipping the 400-mile range mark, such as Tesla S, some EVs are giving the traditional combustion engine a run for its money. Plus, with the Department of Transport’s £900m+ fund to implement better EV infrastructure, the next decade of motoring is about to look very different. 

Don’t fall for unnecessary add-ons at the dealership

While the manufacturer’s warranty and servicing are all good things, some added extras the dealership might offer you are entirely unnecessary. 

Remember, the salesperson has targets to meet, but you don’t have to be one of their numbers! Watch out for:

• Extended warranty: while this might be worthwhile for an older vehicle, most brand new cars come with a 5-year warranty attached
• Roof rack accessories: first off, these tend to be specific to each model, and secondly, look elsewhere if you really want them! They’ll be cheaper, trust us!
• Key/windscreen/tyre/you name it protection: If you really want extra peace of mind, you’ll find cheaper insurances online

Ready to buy a new car? With your budget planned and your homework complete, go and grab yourself a bargain!