Last Updated on Monday, August 18, 2025 by Lavania Oluban
The excitement of owning your first car can be exhilarating, but the process of choosing the right one can be daunting. Taking a step back and considering all the factors involved can save you from unnecessary stress and expenses down the line.
The right vehicle fits within your long-term plans, from insurance premiums to fuel costs. Here’s how you can approach the process with confidence.
Research insurance costs
One of the first things you need to check is how much your insurance will cost. Take the time to get multiple quotes from different providers, and remember that young driver insurance could be a beneficial option.
Always factor in both the premium and any excess you’d have to pay in the event of a claim. Generally, cars with smaller engines and less power tend to cost less to insure. Look for vehicles in the lower insurance groups if keeping costs down is a priority.
Consider financing options
If you don’t have enough saved up to buy a car outright, you’ll need to look into financing options. Many young buyers opt for car loans or dealer finance, but these can come with hidden pitfalls.
Before you sign anything, make sure you fully understand the terms of the agreement, including interest rates and repayment periods.
While low-interest rates might seem appealing, they can be deceptive if they’re attached to longer repayment terms. Opting for a loan with a shorter repayment period will save you money in interest, but make sure the monthly payments fit within your budget.
If you do go down this route then GAP insurance is a must. It’s vital to understand that if a car is ever written off, it will be based on the value of the car at the time and your finance may be more than this – leaving you with car repayments to make on a car you no longer have. Gap insurance will cover that shortfall for you should that situation ever arise.
Properly inspect the vehicle
If you’re buying a used car, don’t rush into the purchase without thoroughly inspecting the vehicle.
You should get under the bonnet and check the engine for any signs of wear or leaks. Take a close look at the bodywork too, checking for any signs of accidents or rust.
Check the floor underneath where it has been parked for any signs of oil on the floor which could point to a leak too.
Consider paying a professional mechanic to conduct a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re not confident in your ability to spot hidden faults. This might cost a little extra, but it can save you from buying a car that’s riddled with problems.
Pay attention to the car’s service history as well – a well-maintained car with regular servicing is far more likely to be reliable in the long run.
You can also look at the MOT history of a car, and check to see if there are any outstanding “advisories” – quite often people decide to sell on a car because they think the potential costs of getting repairs to make sure it passes its next MOT would be quite high. You can heck these online and do a quick search to look at average costs.
I personally always insist that a second hand car has had a recent MOT, and negotiate this as part of the purchase.
Try before you buy
Test-driving the car is an obvious step, but it’s essential to take your time with this part of the process. Don’t simply test it on smooth, familiar roads.
Drive it in various conditions, such as heavy traffic, on hills, and at higher speeds, so you can get a feel for how it handles in real-world situations.
Test out all of the different features, the heating and air conditioning, lights, wipers and audio system, this might seem minor but can be annoying and expensive hidden costs.
Look at all of the warning lights, make sure there are none which come on, especially when driving in different scenarios. Also check that the mileage on the vehicle matches up with the mileage on the service logs and MOT history.
Ask yourself whether the car suits your needs. Is the driving position comfortable? Does it offer enough space for your passengers and luggage? Consider whether you can easily manoeuvre the car and if all the controls are intuitive. If you’ve got children then taking the push chair along to see if it fits is something which I recommend.
If you can, try to drive the car over a couple of days or even longer, especially if you’re considering a second-hand model. This will give you a clearer sense of whether it’s the right car for your lifestyle.
