10 questions you should ask before buying a car

Diesel car sales have fallen sharply after politicians blamed them for pollution and slapped on extra taxes. 

They are fuel efficient for motorists who do long motorway journeys but petrol, electric and plug-in hybrids are usually better for motoring around towns. Diesel prices have also fallen so you may be disappointed by resale values.

 

If you have enough cash to cover buy a new or used car outright, then lucky you. That saves working through complicated finance packages, plus you avoid interest. Paying with cash could also benefit the seller, making it a win-win situation. However, If you are a seller, you should be aware of the different benefits or disadvantages. To learn further on that, you can always google 9 Signs You Sell New Vans for a Living and read some interesting blogs on the matter.

Don’t use all your spare cash but keep some aside for other emergences, including car repairs.Don’t use all your spare cash but keep some aside for other emergences, including car repairs.

Personal contract plans (PCP) are hugely popular but many are still confused about how they work.

You put down an initial deposit then make monthly payments over two to four years. At the end, you either return the car back or make a final “balloon” payment to buy it outright.

 

HP lets you spread the cost of your car over several years, typically three to five. 

You only own the car outright after you have made your final monthly payment, it can be repossessed if you fall behind.

 

PCP monthly payments are generally lower but you do not own the car unless you choose to make the balloon payment. 

There are no mileage limits with HP, but there are with PCP, and penalties for exceeding them.

 

Many motorists never buy a car but lease instead, often switching cars regularly. 

This is sometimes called personal contract hire (PCH), where you make an initial deposit then monthly payments for between one and three years, before handing it back and leasing another. Again, beware annual mileage limitations.

There are many new cars to choose from by leasing like the Vauxhall mokka electric, and various other car brands. If you like changing it up every few years then leasing is a great option.

Personal loans are cheap right now, and you can use one to you cover part or all of the cost of a new or used car. 

The advantage is that you know your monthly payments and final repayment cost from the outset, as well as when the loan will finally be repaid. If you are having trouble getting a personal loan, maybe use car title loans instead.

 

The initial cost isn’t the only expense to consider. Make sure you can also afford insurance, road tax, fuel and roadside recovery. 

If it's a stretch, buy a smaller, cheaper car.

 

If buying from a dealer, it must also adhere to the Consumer Rights Act, which states that products must be “of satisfactory quality”, “fit for purpose” and “as described”. 

If buying privately, it may be worth paying to have your car checked by the AA, RAC or HPI Check, which will alert you to illegal motors, stolen cars or unpaid finance. 

Vendors must also have the car’s registration certificate (V5C). If not, leave.

It’s generally not much more expensive to buy from a dealer and offers a lot of benefits and often a warranty. Look at sites like Budgen Motors Shrewsbury to get an idea of what a certified dealer looks like.
 

Absolutely. Don't be shy. They always have new motors coming in, and old ones they want to get rid of. 

If you’re not happy, politely walk away. They might call you back.