LoginThinking of Buying a Car? Think About This…
There is a lot to consider when buying a car, what is it you require and how much do you want to pay being the two most fundamental questions. Digging deeper, it can be a difficult and stressful process to get exactly what you want, so we have highlighted the key things to think about to make the process easier for you to find the perfect car for your needs.
How much do you want to spend?
How much you want to spend is the first thing to consider when buying a car. This will narrow your options considerably to find a car within your price range. You need to also consider road tax, insurance, fuel and maintenance costs. You may want to take out extended car warranty coverage too.
All these things need to be factored in from the start of the process along with how you will finance the purchase of the vehicle? Will it be cash or are you considering a loan, HP or PCP (see our article here for explanations on the types of finance available). Once you have your budget set, find out about different cars by doing research and reading some reviews, compare prices and take some test drives to see if this is really the car you want.
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Related Reading: How to Check if Your Car Has Been in an Accident?
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Insurance Costs
Insurance costs can add a hefty sum to your overall budget. Car insurance varies hugely depending on make, model and age of car and driver. Insurance costs for newer cars are obviously higher than older second hand cars. Obtain quotes and compare estimates for insurance online prior to buying any car so you know how much extra this will be.
Insurance companies monitor risk when calculating prices for insurance, therefore if you hold a clean drivers licence, costs tend to be comparatively cheaper than for someone who has offences on their licence.
Repair and Maintenance Costs
When buying a car it is essential to consider any cost which may occur and how you will be able to finance repairs to the vehicle. The cost of maintenance and repairs can be extortionate, with some cars being much more expensive to maintain than others. For example, a luxury sports car would have a higher repair bill due to the complex nature of their engines, compared to a small city runaround car with basic engine components.
If you’re not mechanically inclined, you may also want to factor in the cost of taking your car to a professional for routine maintenance and repairs or you may want to consider purchasing an extended car warranty within your budget.
Fuel Efficiency
If you do a lot of driving or have long daily commutes to work, choose a car with good fuel mileage. In the long run this will help save you money. Do some research prior to purchase of the types and models of vehicles with good fuel efficiency, and compare different cars on your radar.
These are just a few of the things you should keep in mind when thinking of buying a car. Thinking about these factors will hopefully ensure that you find the perfect car for your needs and budget. So start doing your research and happy shopping.
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Related Reading: Can I Still Buy A Diesel or Petrol Car?
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Need Gap Insurance?
There are a few different types of policy you can choose from when taking out your Gap Insurance cover with Click4Gap. These depend largely on how you intend to fund the purchase of your vehicle. So what car Gap Insurance is right for you?
Combined Return to Invoice Gap Insurance
If you paid cash for your vehicle, or paid a sizeable deposit, or if you financed it, Combined RTI Gap cover will pay out the shortfall between the cost of your vehicle and the market value at the point of claim, which is the amount your motor insurer will cover. This is cover that will protect you no matter if you use your vehicle for private use or for business.
Lease/Contract Hire Gap Insurance
If you leased your vehicle or it is under a contract hire agreement, Lease/Contract Hire Gap Insurance will cover you for the shortfall on your lease agreement, after your motor insurer settlement. If, for any reason, you change your vehicle within the first 90 days from the start date, we will also arrange to transfer your cover to your new vehicle without hassle or charge.
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