What to Consider Before Buying a New Car This Year

Feb 16, 2024

Whether you’re a seasoned driver or you’ve just passed your test, one thing’s for sure - getting a new car is super exciting. To help you make the right choice for your lifestyle, we’ve compiled a list of things to think about before you make the big decision:

1. Factor car insurance into your budget

Car insurance has been rising steeply in the last year - this means things may look quite different since you last checked. The general rule is the more expensive the car, the more expensive the insurance. If you’re a newer driver, the rates will be particularly high. So it’s worth thinking about the insurance as part of the upfront cost - if you need to secure a lower premium, then consider buying a less pricey car.

Your VED (or vehicle excise duty) is also impacted by the type of car you buy - the general rule is the more fuel-efficient the car, the better. Read more in our article about navigating road tax increases in 2024.

2. Where’s best to buy?

Typically people will either buy direct from branded garages, from mixed dealerships or online. If you’ve got your eye on something specific and you’re planning to buy direct from a brand’s garage, they should be able to give you lots of information about the vehicle you’re interested in.

If you’re planning to buy from an independent dealership, make sure you do some research to find the most reliable one near you - especially if you’re considering second-hand. Make sure you haggle where you can.

If you’re buying online, you’ll find loads of websites to look at - check the site’s reviews and make sure there’s a good amount of detail on there. It’s absolutely essential to go and look at the car if it’s not on the brand’s own website. Again, you may be able to haggle with the actual seller.

3. Condition

As mentioned before, make sure you take a good look at the car. If you don’t know much about cars, take someone who does with you. Thoroughly check that the interior and exterior meet your expectations and lift up the hood to take a look at the engine. If you’re buying new, make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for - it should sparkle.

4. Check what fuel it takes and how efficient it is

It’s worth thinking about how you plan to use the car - vehicles that use petrol may prove cheaper for short, city driving, whereas diesel might be the better bet for smooth, long distance driving.

For more information, take a look at our rundown of which types of car are the most and least fuel efficient (from hatchbacks to SUVs).

You can check a vehicle’s fuel efficiency online and this is worth doing before you sign on the dotted line - to stop you having to search "fuel near me" or “petrol stations near me” every time you go out for a drive.

5. Take it for a test drive

When all’s said and done, sometimes it’s the way the car drives that makes all the difference. However you’re planning to buy, consider asking to take it for a test drive (even just around the dealership building). It’s worthwhile really getting a feel for it before you hand over your money.

Wrapping It Up

Buying a new car should be exciting, so go out and try a few! Just make sure to thoroughly consider all aspects before you make your final decision - consider your budget, check on fuel requirements and insurance and take it for a test drive. Happy driving!

If you’re thinking of buying an electric car specifically, take a look at our article about what to consider before buying an electric vehicle or have a browse of these top-reviewed electric cars popular in the UK in 2024.