After a home, a car is the biggest expense in the average person’s life. However, with the right know-how, it’s possible to make big savings when the time comes to invest.
To help you get the very best price on your first motor, we’ve brought together the top tips and tricks you can use to get a great deal on the forecourt and keep maintenance costs to a minimum.
Buy the smallest car you can get away with
Small cars are cheaper to run and insure than their bigger brothers. You’ll pay a lot less for them on the forecourt as well, meaning you should be sure to buy the smallest car to suit your needs if you want to keep costs down.
If you don’t have kids, it’s a good idea to restrict your search to hatchbacks and city cars. You can then upgrade when little ones come along, if that’s in your plans. This will work out a lot cheaper than having to run and maintain a big car for years before your family expands.
Learn how to haggle
Haggling doesn’t come naturally to us Brits. In fact, a massive 56% of UK car buyers paid asking price or more for their motor in 2016, according to a report by Auto Trader. As a country, we’re losing millions in the dealership.
To get the best deal on your first car, do plenty of research. Have a few specific models in mind and find out their exact market value so you’re in a strong position going into the negotiations. Then, just hold your nerve and don’t go below the maximum price you’ve already decided you’re going to pay. The easiest way to do this is to have plenty of options lined up so you can walk away if they’re not willing to meet your asking price.
Get comfortable doing your own repairs
The idea of doing your own car repairs can be daunting, especially if you’ve never owned one before. However, if you want to keep down the costs of maintaining an automobile, it’s important you become familiar with a few simple repairs that will keep your vehicle on the road.
Nearly 50% of all faults found on MOTs can be avoided through simple bits of maintenance like replacing bulbs, wipers, and tyres when needed according to the government. Visit Lookers’ handy collection of car maintenance tips for step-by-step guides to these repairs and many more. Following these guides will keep your car in great condition and help ensure you don’t have to cough up any unexpected repair bills.
Stick to these tips to save money on your first car and keep running costs as low as possible. By buying small, haggling on the price, and doing your own repairs, you can seriously cut costs to your start to life as a driver.
