A First Time Car Buyer's Guide To Getting On The Road

What is a good first car?

There is no one answer to this question as it depends totally on your situation. Generally speaking, a good first car is one that is in a low insurance group, which will come in very handy if you’re new to driving. You may also want something that is cheap to run and reliable. In this article, we’ll cover all the factors you should consider when venturing into buying your first car.

Budget

One of the most important factors is your budget. As this is your first car, you need something that will have cheap insurance and tends to be economic so less is spent on fuel. You should work out how much you can afford to spend, whilst taking into consideration the running costs. This should then significantly narrow your search.

Should I buy outright or on finance?

Would you be best suited for one big payment or small payment spread across several years? As a first-time buyer, you can get some favourable deals for financing a car, depending on what you are looking for. Some of our bestselling cars are made by Vauxhall, Ford, and Kia.

Choosing a car type

Once you have an idea on a budget, you can then start to investigate car types such as Superminis and small hatchbacks. These are both good choices if you're looking for something cheap, cheerful, and reliable. One of the most well-known Superminis is the Fiat 500, which is great if you're a new driver. Large cars like an SUV can be harder to drive and park, so these smaller cars are easier to handle.

Petrol, diesel or electric?

This choice would also be affected by your budget; diesel generally offers more miles than petrol, but tends to be more expensive. Electric would add no extra fuel costs, besides the electricity bill for your house, but the cars tend to be noticeably more expensive than petrol or diesel.

When it comes to small petrol cars it is hard to look past the Hyundai i10. The i10 is a great example of a car that makes you question whether you need anything bigger. Light controls, excellent visibility and compact dimensions make the Hyundai i10 a breeze to thread through crowded city streets, yet it feels equally composed and assured out on the open road.

In terms of diesel, the Renault Clio is a strong competitor, slightly bigger than the i10 but still popular thanks to its low running costs and unique character. The distinctive Clio's main feature is its sense of style. The bold exterior and modern cabin has a touchscreen control system that takes over the nearly-button-free dashboard.

Electric vehicles have become increasingly popular of recent, yet the prices still tend to be higher. Getting an electric vehicle on a budget could be difficult but here at Peter Vardy we have you covered. The Vauxhall Corsa-e is a great pick for first time buyers. It contains all the features of a petrol Corsa but with a few exciting upgrades.

Best First Cars To Buy

Peugeot 208

Two small cars we believe are perfect for first time buyers are the Peugeot 208 and the Ford Fiesta. The Peugeot 208 has one of the classiest cabins of any small car, while standard equipment, both luxury and safety, is generous. The 208 comes equipped with 3D Navigation, Bluetooth and Dual zone automatic air conditioning to mention a few.

Ford Fiesta

On the other hand, a similar model is the Ford Fiesta which is one of the best value for money small hatchbacks on the market due to its practicality, great handling, and comfort. It comes packed with excellent features including sports seats, Bluetooth, and a heated windscreen. Both cars are a fantastic choice for first time buyers.

Tax and insurance

Some dealers offer a year’s free insurance on specific deals or road tax included in the price of the car. This gives you a little bit of time before you have to start paying them, but this means you need to factor in the costs over a couple of years, to fully understand the cost of mooring once the car is purchased. Smaller cars with smaller engines tend to be cheaper to insure than others.

Take a test drive

This is a very important step to purchasing a car, especially when buying privately. Test driving a car allows you to see the condition it’s in before making a purchase. It also allows you to see how the car drives, as sometimes it looks great but when you take it for a test drive, it can point out problems not originally seen or noticed on first sight.

If you visit a Peter Vardy dealership you can either have an unaccompanied test drive or one of our advisors will sit in the rear of the vehicle directly opposite the driver. We also offer a 'test drive to you' service, in which we bring the car to a place convenient for you.

Don’t feel obligated

First times buyers should not feel pressured into a quick decision. It is advisable to take some time to consider all your options before making a purchase. Peter Vardy are committed to making sure you are comfortable and fully understand the commitment you are undertaking when purchasing through us. Our team will guide you step by step to ensure you’re 100% happy with your choice before purchasing and we'll always be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

We have lots of other guides available to help you make the right choice, including How To Buy A Car Online With Peter Vardy and the Top 10 Cars For Motorway Driving. You can contact Peter Vardy, we will be happy to help!