Buying a new car is a significant financial milestone that requires thorough planning. You are committing yourself to a monthly repayment plan for years to come. The maintenance and fuel are some new expenses that will need some space in the budget.
Therefore, there is more to buying a car then paying the down payment and driving it to the garage. The mistakes you make during the process may hurt in the long run with some serious consequences. Your cast can cost an unreasonable amount, or the instalments can get unmanageable.
To avoid these situations, here are some smart decisions to make while buying a car for the first time.
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Explore the Price
Your search for the right car will take some time with all the models and variants in the market. However, the process should not end without the right dealership that offers the best price. You should always narrow down the search to 2-3 cars and ask the dealership for a quote.
Do not forget to add the charges other than the cost of the car to the overall budget. These include insurance, dealership fees, and some taxes, along with the registration fees of the vehicle. You can explore different options to save some money on insurance and dealership charges before you apply for car loans.
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Always Test Drive
The test drive is not limited to the first time you drive the vehicle while making a decision. You can ask for another driver when the car is ready for delivery. The dealer will give you some time for the inspection before making the payment.
This is one of the essential steps and often skipped during the process. You can discover any manufacturer defect in the product before they hand out the vehicle. Some dealers hesitate in providing the Pre-Delivery Inspection certificate, and you need to insist on the demand.
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Consider the Resale Value
Buyers don’t think of riding the same car for the rest of their life. It is something we always think to upgrade if the sentiments are in control. Therefore, you should always consider the resale value of a car before investing money in it.
Many factors contribute to the future value of a car. The brand and colour are the significant factors that require your attention. You cannot expect a 10-year-old pink car to sell at a reasonable price or even find a buyer quickly.
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Wait for the Season
Manufacturers know the importance of seasons and festival on the sales chart. They try to take the best from the days when most customers are in the market. Expect some great offers and deals during the competitive times that may result in savings worth hundreds of pounds.
You can wait for the festivals such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter for the prices to go down. Moreover, the dealerships have some target to complete at month- or quarter-end. It will also be easier to get car loans for bad credit if you purchase the car at a lower price.
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Service Centres
Your local service centres may provide professional support with no complaints. But you need the manufacturer service stations to use the car warranty. Make sure they are nearby to your house or at least the city.
It makes no sense to travel a hundred kilometre to get the headlights fixed. You may skip the maintenance because of the long-distance travel to the service station. This will further increase the cost of possible repairs and component replacements.
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Add-Ons from Dealers
The dealers will show some add-ons for the car that may seem essential for a comfortable ride. On the contrary, the majority of them are unnecessary, with no impact on the car’s performance and comfort. Moreover, the price is way more than the local shops.
Avoid the add-ons from a dealership, especially the anti-corrosion finish and Teflon coating. The manufacturer makes the car material resistant to corrosion to make the car last decades on the road. More importantly, you can get the same aesthetics at a much lower price if you are willing to explore the garages in the neighbourhood.
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Focus on Aesthetics than Application
The SUVs are known for their masculine appeal with plenty of applications. You can run them on the roughest of the terrain, and they will manage to cover the distance. However, they are not the ideal ride of a bachelor who wants to travel daily amid city traffic.
You should take your requirements as the priority over the aesthetics or the brand name. The price gap is enormous enough to derail your budget throughout the repayment. Therefore, you need to emphasize the requirements to get the best car within a limited budget.
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Pay Miscellaneous with Cash
Every cost other than the car’s price should be paid with cash. The lenders will offer money to pay for insurance, taxes, and add-ons. But you should refrain from it to avoid a significant increase in the overall cost.
You may spend more than necessary because of the credit available from the lenders. The limited cash in your pocket will force you to buy the essentials. Also, there will be no interest in these payments.
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Not the Cheapest Insurance Policy
Insurance company provide a quote for the policy based on the benefits and customer experience. You cannot rely on the cheapest policies in the market to offer instant financial support in case of an accident. Therefore, consider the services offered and the reputation of the company while selecting the insurance policy.
Most importantly, the cover amount should be enough to repair the possible accidents. Ask the experts about the difference between the policies before making the decision. Sometimes, the cheaper policies are because of your clean history of using the claims.
Conclusion
To sum up, there are many processes involved while purchasing a car. You need to keep an eye on each one of them to save money. If not, prepare yourself to pay hundreds of pounds more in the car loan repayment.