Need a new motor? You’re not alone: in 2021, SMMT figures show that over 425,000 new cars were registered in the UK, with used car statistics up 11.5% to over 7.5 million that same year!
While getting the right motor is a little more difficult than before due to the currently red-hot post-pandemic market, it’s still important to properly consider the cars on offer and get one that suits your needs. To help you do your homework the right way, here are some great tips on how to choose the right car.
What’s your budget?
The first way to narrow down your options is by looking at your budget both for the initial purchase, and how much it’ll cost you monthly. Consider the following:
- Fuel economy – With fuel prices rising, check the MPG of the car to see how quickly it’ll burn through fuel and compare this to your usual mileage.
- Insurance and tax – Bigger, pricier, and more gas-guzzling vehicles cost more to insure and run, so be sure to get quotes from insurers and use the government road tax tool to learn more.
- Servicing and spare parts – Check how expensive parts and repairs are for your chosen type of vehicle. Sports cars, for instance, can be significantly more expensive to service than your regular runabout.
Where do you live?
Driving primarily in a city requires different needs to if you live in a rural area, so consider the size of the roads and parking available and the condition of the roads.
Say, for instance, you’re looking for used cars in Glasgow. The type of motor you choose will be different if you live centrally in Merchant City, compared to the much tougher roads and terrain up north in the Campsie Fells. Same for the north of England – living in central Leeds calls for very different driving compared to revving through the depths of the Yorkshire Dales.
Electric or fossil?
Vehicle makers are bringing out more and more electric cars as the tech matures, so the prospect of owning one isn’t as expensive as it once was – even more so considering the spiralling cost of petrol and diesel.
Both come with their advantages and downfalls, so have a think which type seems to work best for your lifestyle – electric is great for cheaper running costs and shorter trips, while fossil options tend to lend themselves to low upfront used vehicle costs, and practically unlimited range.
What about the interior?
It’s the place you’ll be spending most of your time while driving (we’d hope!), so it makes sense to get an interior you love. Think about what sort of entertainment system you want, the size of the speakers (they’re not just for modders), the colour of the trim, and seat covering material – do you love the leather, or prefer something softer and fuzzier?
What do you value in a motor? Let us know what you look for in a vehicle in the comments section below.