Should I buy a new or nearly new car?’ is a question many more people have been asking recently. This is partly down to the well-publicised fact that the used car market has been stronger in the last couple of years than it has been for some time. With second-hand cars demanding higher than usual prices since the pandemic struck and new car production was hit, some people have decided that buying a brand new car is for them when they previously wouldn’t have considered it. That said, used cars are still cheaper than new ones. And some are in very good condition so they drive like they’re new, too. You can get the best used car deals in Brighton at KAP Brighton Autocentre, so think twice before you go to the extra expense of buying a new car. However, there are some more factors to consider before you make a final decision.
To begin with, most new cars come with a warranty these days. Although these vary in length, three years is common. You might like the idea of driving a car with a warranty. However, this doesn’t mean you will have to buy a new car to get one. Some seven-year warranties are on offer these days so even buying one a few years old would mean plenty of motoring under the existing manufacturer’s warranty. There again, used cars can be bought with third-party warranties, too. Typically, these run for 12 to 24 months from the date of the purchase so long as the used car in question has been inspected and has a full service history.
Another important thing to consider is how green it is to buy a new car. With so many fuel-efficient used cars on the market, buying a second-hand one effectively means extending its usable lifespan. In other words, keeping a car going that would otherwise be scrapped is an environmentally friendly decision. Even better, there are many hybrids and all-electric cars on the used car market to choose from nowadays.
Finally, you should remember how much brand new cars depreciate in their first year on the road. If you buy one from new, then it could be worth thousands of pounds less the moment you drive it away. However, used cars depreciate at a much slower rate, so they are a much better option if you want to get a price close to what you paid for it when you decide to sell.