How to Choose a Car: Three Key Questions to Ask Yourself.

According to The Sun: Even if you are not a car enthusiast, the process of buying a new car can be a real challenge. A used car is usually cheaper, but will you end up spending more on repairs in the future?

Mr. Partington speaks with automotive experts to provide answers to the most common questions regarding car purchases. Follow these three steps in the search for the perfect car.

Use our guide to get answers to three important questions about car purchases with expert adviceGetty

1) WHAT TYPE OF DRIVER ARE YOU?

First, ask yourself: what journeys do you most often need a car for?

COMMUTING: “If you drive a lot on highways, choose sedans or estates with good fuel efficiency and cruise control,” advises Mike Fazal, an automotive expert.

Those who choose a company car might consider electric or low-emission models to reduce tax costs.

If you need a family car, consider several practical aspectsShutterstock

FAMILY TRANSPORT: Think about long journeys, rather than just short trips to school.

Consider practical features like trunk size, seating flexibility, rear legroom, child seat anchors, and ease of getting children in and out.

“SUVs are popular for their extra space, but don’t dismiss estates if you want a lower ride height and more capacity,” added Mr. Fazal.

WEEKEND TRIPS: FLEXIBILITY and storage space are key characteristics for a car intended for weekend trips and active leisure.

You’ll want enough trunk space, roof racks, foldable seats, and towing capability.

For adventure lovers, compact SUVs or estates with good ground clearance can be the ideal compromise between comfort and functionality.

IF YOU HAVEN'T DRIVEN BEFORE: Insurance for new drivers can be expensive, so choose a small hatchback with a modest engine to lower costs.

Automatic brakes, lane departure warning, and numerous airbags can reduce premiums. Light steering and parking sensors will also make life a lot easier.

2) NEW OR USED?

There are pros and cons to both new and used cars, and you need to find the best option for yourselfGetty

Once you’ve set your budget, it’s time to weigh your options.

Pros of a New Car:

• Reliability
• Full manufacturer warranty for three years or more
• The latest safety technologies

Cons of a New Car:

• May lose about 20% of its value after purchase
• More expensive to insure due to higher replacement and repair costs

Pros of a Used Car:

• Affordability
• Opportunity to negotiate with the dealer
• Insurance might be cheaper depending on the make, model, and driver’s experience

Cons of a Used Car:

• Lower reliability
• Some used cars may not qualify for PCP financing

If you choose a used car, be sure to check it thoroughly with someone who knows about cars.

Lucy Shirliker from the automotive finance company Zuto noted:

“It’s important to check the service history and ensure there are no outstanding debts.”

You can do an online vehicle history check using the vehicle registration number.

 

“History checks show whether a car has been stolen or recently written off,”

she added.

3) DIFFERENT WAYS TO PURCHASE

It is important to understand the different types of personal loans available in the car marketNewspress

There are three main ways to buy or lease a car through financing: a personal contract purchase, hire purchase, and personal contract hire/lease.

Alternatively, you can take out a personal loan.

PERSONAL CONTRACT PURCHASE

Make an upfront payment to secure the car. Pay monthly installments over three to five years.

At the end, you can return the keys, swap it for another car, or make a large one-off payment to become the owner.

This has lower monthly payments compared to other options.

But be aware of mileage limits in the contract. If you exceed them, you will have to pay a penalty.

Best for: Drivers who plan to change cars every few years and have predictable mileage. Popular for new or nearly new vehicles.

HIRE PURCHASE

The finance company will remain the owner of the car until you make the final payment, after which the car becomes yours.

You need to make an upfront deposit and can stretch the term over five years.

There are no mileage limits, but hire purchase is more expensive than PCP.

Best for: Drivers who want to own the car without a large final payment, or for those who are choosing older vehicles.

PERSONAL CONTRACT HIRE/LEASE

You make a deposit, but there is no option to buy the car. Such agreements typically last from one to four years.

Operational costs are lower, as most agreements include such extras as road tax, manufacturer’s warranty, and insurance.

Best for: Buyers of new or nearly new cars who want predictable monthly expenses.

Make sure you choose the right type of loan based on your circumstancesGetty

PERSONAL CAR LOAN

In this case, you take a loan from the bank and use it to pay the dealer, so the car is yours from day one.

No deposit is required, and you pay a fixed interest rate on the amount borrowed.

The loan amount is repaid in monthly installments over up to seven years.

Extending the term reduces monthly payments, but increases the overall cost of the debt. You can sell the car at any time, but be wary of early repayment penalties.

Best for: Drivers who want the option to sell their car whenever they choose, and those with a clean credit history that will secure the lowest rates.

Know Your Rights

If your new or used car breaks down shortly after purchase and it is under manufacturer warranty, you may get free repairs.

The dealer will check the car and send a report to the manufacturer before approving the repairs. If the damage was your fault, you will not be able to make a claim.

According to consumer rights, if you approach the seller within 30 days regarding a fault, bad quality, or misdescription, you may be entitled to a full refund.

After 30 days, the seller has one chance to repair or replace the car.

If problems persist, you can request a partial refund and leave the vehicle, or return it for a refund minus depreciation.

If you report a problem after six months, you will need to prove that it arose at the point of sale.