Buying new cars - make sure you get the right vehicle

Buying a new car is a very different process from buying a used car and that is why we have separated the two subjects in our car buying tips guide. This section looks at some of the factors you should consider before buying a new car.

You’re already on the right track to buying a new car by reading this guide – because research is the key to securing a competitive deal. This starts by looking into the car you want before you arrive at a dealership where a salesman could persuade you into taking a deal you don’t really want. Perhaps you already know the car you wish to drive, but here are some important questions you should ask yourself - and if you don’t know the answer to each one, research the model online so you can be sure you’re getting what you want:

Is the car in your price range? How much can you comfortably afford to pay on the car each month? What is the manufacturer’s recommend list price?

What is the car’s standard specification? Does the car come with a CD player and air conditioning, for example, or are you charged extra to have these installed?

What is the car’s running costs? If you’re buying a new car you must think beyond the monthly payments and consider how much the car will cost to run. How many miles does it get per gallon and does that apply to city or motorway driving? Which tax band does the car fit into? Is it easy to get the car repaired if necessary? How much will it cost to insure?

How much does the car’s value depreciate? Every car’s value depreciates greatly as soon as you drive it away from the dealership – but some vehicles hold their value better than others, which is important particularly if you plan to sell the car sometime in the future. According to a recent analysis by a contract hire specialist, the top five least depreciating cars in the UK are as follows:

1. Mini – Worth 54% of its original value after three years.
2. Audi TT – Worth 52% of its original value after three years.
3. Audi A5 – Worth 51% of its original value after three years.
4. Range Rover Sport – Worth 50% after three years.
5. Mercedes SLK – Worth 49% after three years.

Of course, depreciation is more important if you are considering leasing a car – the higher the residual value of a car, the less you will have to pay on a car lease. However, it should also be considered when buying a new car too. The top three cars in this list are all new and have waiting lists which suggest that if you sell them on in three years, you will still attract a healthy return.

How green is the car? If you’re environmentally conscious be sure to look into your prospective vehicle’s CO2 emissions. You might be particularly interested in hybrid and electric vehicles which are generally more cost effective in terms of miles per gallon and are grouped in lower tax bands than their petrol guzzling alternatives.

How safe is the car? Generally speaking, you should be much safer in a new car than a used car as you know it has no history of being involved in accidents and it should benefit from the latest crash testing technology. By visiting the Euro NCap website you can discover the safety ratings for any vehicle you wish to drive.