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What to look for when buying your first car

The problem is that early cars are expensive, and that’s not just the purchase price. You have to think about repairing it (MOT), taxing it and insuring it, along with running costs. This is why it is such an important task to research and find a cheap offer.

However, there are ways to beat the exorbitant costs of buying a car. To save money, do the following:

  • Think about how much insurance you’re willing to pay for before you buy your car. If you are under 25 and have just passed your exam, you will find that insurance quotes will be high. Hatchbacks and smaller cars offer the best value because the controls are lighter, parking is easier, and insurance is cheaper.
  • Compare insurance prices, as insurers compete for the cheapest premium. Online price comparison sites are your best bet for finding great deals.
  • Additional changes, spoilers, etc. it can mean higher insurance costs, so be careful.
  • The circulation tax is another necessity that you must take into account. It is valid for 6 or 12 months. The standard charge is £115 a year or £63.25 for 6 months for cars under 1549cc.

And if it is second-hand because you are choosing, do not forget to take into account the following:

  • Cost of repairs. It’s all very well buying a used car, but if it needs fixing every few months, those pennies you saved by going for the cheapest option will soon be gone.
  • Beware of ‘timekeeping’, which is the illegal practice of reversing the odometer. This is done to reduce mileage and increase the value and selling price of the car.
  • Avoid being tricked into buying ‘cut and close’. This is where the remains of two or more vehicles have been welded together to create a ‘new’ model. It might seem like this would be obvious to spot, but it’s not: cosmetic work can often be exceptional.
  • Ask for service history. Everyone who has owned a car knows that it will have been in and out of the garage, so if they are unwilling to give it to you or have but it seems inconsistent, then there is probably something not quite right.
  • Last but not least, a simple but very important tip is to make sure you see the car in good lighting. Rain, for example, can hide scratches and other problems.

Remember, to get the best deal, do your homework, because reviews and personal opinions are worth their weight in gold and there are plenty of websites that can help you with that.

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