Buying Your First Car

Published on 13 January 2014

Getting your first set of wheels is a rite of passage for all of us, but it’s getting harder than ever to save money to buy one and include expenses such as fuel, car insurance, and tax.

However, there are ways of lightening the load for young people wanting to get on the road for the first time. Here are some tips to consider...

 

Top Tips When Buying Your First Car

 

Strength in Numbers

Rather than buying a car alone, consider sharing the expense with a sibling, partner, or friend. Insurance costs for two drivers may be higher than for one, but the reduction in running costs is likely to cancel this out.

Parents may also be willing to lend the money required to buy the car, or guarantee loan payments for a hire purchase agreement.

Second-hand is More Economical

A brand-new car loses a huge percentage of its value as soon as you drive it out of the garage forecourt. A far more economical choice is to buy nearly new or ex-demonstration models that don't depreciate as quickly, but are still almost new and are still under manufacturer’s warranty.

Second Opinion

When buying privately or from a car dealer, take either a parent or friend who knows about cars to give the vehicle a thorough check, or pay for an independent check on the car to ensure there are no hidden problems that could result in expensive repairs.

The money spent on this check may seem expensive, but could save you thousands in the long run if major problems are found with the engine or the bodywork of the car.

 

Young Driver Car Insurance With Liberty

 

At Liberty insurance, we know that buying your first car is a big step, and we want to be there for you from the beginning. For car insurance that sets you up for the future and is appropriate for first time drivers, get an online quote today.

Get a young driver quote