Written by Menswear Style in Cars on the 22nd August 2019

The automobile - a symbol of vitality, of progress, and the product of your hard work over many years. No matter how big or small, no matter how many features it has (or lacks), a car makes it that much easier for you to get around – from visiting friends and family to exploiting business opportunities, a car is pretty much essential in the modern world. Therefore, for young drivers it’s very important for you to ensure that your car, used or new, can fulfil your transport-related needs as best as possible, allowing you to enjoy work and leisure as much as possible. Here are a few tips on how to ensure that you make the best of your purchase.

Check for Damage 

Most people know to check for the more obvious signs of damage, whether that be rust, weird engine sounds, or the condition of the tyres. However, some problems can be more difficult to stop – an often-overlooked issue is, for example, the efficiency of the air conditioning or how well the car is burning oil. If you aren’t up to speed with how a car works, it’s best to take someone with you. However, there are a few things you can look out for yourself as well. Apart from things such as checking that the advert matches the car you’re planning on buying (an undisclosed scratch or dent is a fair ask for a discount), you should aim to source your car from a trusted dealer or a reliable second-hand sourcing website. Remember to also check the air-conditioning, heating, and the stereo – a long, boiling hot (or freezing!) journey with only the sound of the engine to comfort you is something that no one should experience. To check for more serious issues, make sure that all the lights and signals on the car work properly. Not only does this ensure that your car is safe, but you’re less likely to get pulled over for a faulty headlight or turning signal. Revving the engine as hard as you can is also worth it – check for blue or black smoke, as this indicates that the engine is burning too much oil, something which can be very expensive to fix and, ultimately, a hassle that you’re going to deal with later. Make sure that the locks work properly and, if the car comes with a remote key, ensure it works without any errors. It’s also worth checking there’s a strong security system in place to keep your car protected.

Wrapping Up the Paperwork 

There are a few things you want to check when buying a car. One major thing you need to look out for is the warranty you get on your car, if any. Preferably, having a warranty for a few years is a good idea in case the car you buy is faulty, and thus you can replace it without dishing out loads of money. If there’s no warranty on the car, this is a bad sign, and suggests the owner or salesman isn’t willing to support the reliability of the car. You may also take out a loan or payment plan for your car – it’s worth nothing that you should try to pay this off as quickly as possible and choose the shortest payment plan. Even if this means charging more per month, you’ll thank yourself in the long run, as in a short time you’ll be without any debt. Paying less a month for a longer time sounds appealing, except with this method you’ll often end up paying much more interest, which could leave you a bit out of pocket, so paying it off as quickly as possible is the best way to go. Another thing to consider when buying your car is the type of insurance you want. Depending on your vehicle, you may have to pay more or less, so it’s worth considering how much you want to pay when deciding which car you want. Why not compare quotes online with Quotezone? You can use this website to compare car insurance quotes from a wide range of providers even before you buy the car. Also, if you are a young driver or you’ve only recently passed your test, it’s important to be aware that insurance prices will be higher, and this will still be the case even if you opt for a cheaper, less powerful vehicle. These are just a few small things to consider when purchasing your new car. Remember, the most important thing is that you feel at home in it. After all, it will be around a long time – make your purchase worth it.

We discuss Checking for Damage and Wrapping Up the Paperwork in this blog post on Things to Look Out for When Buying a Car.