Top tips for buying a car

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Top tips when buying a car

If you are planning on buying a new or used car, then you should firstly consider our handy top tips.

1. Decide what you want and how much you can afford. Make sure to include the cost of insurance, MOT, road tax, fuel, repairs and servicing. If you are taking out a loan, add up all the repayments and be sure you understand the agreement (see our Top Tips for Buying on Credit).
2. Look at car magazines and price guides to see what is available for the price you want to pay, and to check the value of any car you want to trade in.
3. Shop around by visiting dealers to find out what they've got in your price range.
4. Look for reputable dealers - ask the advice of friends and look for trade association signs - this should mean the dealer follows a code of good practice.
5. Take advantage of free test drives (some dealers let you test drive a car over 48 hours).
6. Don't be afraid to haggle. Discounts are often available, especially if you negotiate credit through a dealer.
7. Some dealers offer special incentives to persuade you to buy, such as a year's insurance or extended warranties. Work out how much these deals are really worth to you.
8. Before you commit to buy, be sure you fully understand the conditions of sale, any trade-in price on your existing car, and any finance agreement including the Terms, deposit and interest charge.

For further information please contact our partners, Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, or visit their Consumer Direct website.



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