Your First Car After Passing Your Test – The Benefits Of Buying New

Most of us take the driving test when we’re still in our teens. This is beneficial in many ways. First of all, we’re young enough to take on all the learning we have to do and memorise the signs we’re most likely to see on the road. Physically, we’re fit enough to master the physical skills needed pretty quickly too. So why are we punished for our age when it comes to buying the car insurance?

Of course, the insurance is the least of our worries when we’re thinking about driving. First, we need a car. You might have borrowed your parent’s car, or had to share with a sibling while you were learning. But the whole point of learning to drive is to have that freedom to get in the car and just head off anywhere you like whenever you like. You need your own wheels!

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Finding the cash for a car when you’re still in school or college is never going to be easy. Chances are you’ll need to make a withdrawal from the bank of mum and dad. If you’re over 18, you could apply for a loan, but you might need a parental guarantor or a steady job to qualify. If you need to borrow this way, why not consider buying a new car?

Spreading the cost of your car is usually the only way any of us could buy one. A finance agreement is, therefore, essential, even if it’s not in your name. Buying new cars is a little different to buying used cars. For a start, you have to order them as they’re rarely ready to drive off the dealership lot. But there are plenty of advantages for a brand new driver buying a brand new car.

Firstly, you’ll know you’re getting a car that hasn’t been damaged or ‘modded’ by anyone else. What you see in the brochure is what you’ll get. As a new and inexperienced driver, you need a car that handles the way you expect it to. Secondly, you’ll know it’s safer than a used car. Every year, the standard of safety is raised, so a new car has the latest safety features. This is definitely a good thing for the young driver that may be inexperienced enough to make a mistake.

Brand new cars often come with the first year of insurance for free. There may be a minimum age here, so double check the small print to ensure you qualify. Once you have that year of no claims, you’ll find it easier to buy insurance at a reasonable price going forward. And new cars need to be driven carefully for the first few miles. Parents will love knowing their newly qualified offspring are taking extra care!

For those of you that aren’t too sure about maintaining your car, opting for a new one takes all that worry away. You’re likely to be offered your first service for free. Plus, everything is brand new! You’ll not need to replace anything for a while. By then you’ll be more experienced, more confident and more knowledgeable about your car.

All cars have a limited lifespan unless you really know your stuff as a mechanic. Buying new may mean you can keep that car for longer. There are plenty of different purchase options available that might offer you a brand new car every two to five years. This kind of hire purchase option is quite appealing to some as it resembles the mobile phone deals we’re all used to. Simply upgrade your car at the end of the contract term! It can make the whole process much easier and reduce the need to haggle for every car.

So what do you need to do to buy a new car? Check out the latest promotions and advertisements from your favourite dealerships. These will detail the finance options and vehicles available. If you find any of interest, check out a few more details. You want the finance to be as cheap as possible. Low-interest rates and reasonable repayment periods are best. There will always be a deposit to pay. Check how much this will be. It may be as high as 50%, so this might prove problematic.

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Make sure you book a test drive. As a new driver, you might be keen to choose a mini or super mini car. They’re easier to park and will cost less when you have to pay the insurance premium. They’re also better for town and city driving. Best of all they’ll cost you a lot less in fuel. Some of these little cars aren’t particularly comfortable to drive though. And if you’re tall, you may struggle to get a good position with the steering wheel and pedals.

New cars also have a lot more onboard tech than older models. You might find satellite navigation with touch screen control as standard. Connectivity with your smartphone is much easier too. You can expect so much more from even the most basic models. If you buy at the right time of year, you may also be able to get even more with limited edition vehicles on sale. As always, check the promos!

In some places, older vehicles, particularly diesels, may soon be phased out. Until the government makes a firm decision, we won’t know. You may need to prepare yourself for scrapping or paying for some form of conversion if you choose an older car. Newer cars should already meet soon-to-be-implemented standards and requirements. You shouldn’t be ‘caught short’.

There are many benefits to buying a new car. Yes, the vehicle is worth more money than a used one might cost. With so many different purchase and finance options, you may not have to pay more money though. It’s certainly worth weighing up the total cost you may end up paying over a three-year period to determine which will be your cheapest option. Don’t forget tax, insurance, maintenance and service charges. Finally, consider the cost of the finance you’ll have to get. There is a lot to be said for a good interest-free option on a new car! Which is cheapest for you?