Buying your first car is an exciting time in your life, but it is also important that you take your time to find the right car and one that is suited to new drivers. Time and time again, new motorists make the same mistakes, and this post will look at the 6 main mistakes that you need to avoid.

Prioritising Looks
Everyone wants to drive an attractive car, but it should not be your priority at this stage. For a first car, you need something reliable, safe, easy to drive and affordable to run. It might not be the best-looking car, but it will make getting started with driving a lot easier and with most dealerships offering competitive prices.

Forgetting Running Costs
Buying a car will be a lot of money and you need to make sure that you find one that you can afford. You should not forget about the running costs as these can add up, so you need to think about insurance, fuel, road tax and maintenance. You can use calculators to get an idea of a car’s running costs.

Not Buying Used
Buying a new car as a new motorist is a huge mistake yet one that is often made. Most people will drive their first car for a few years and then look to upgrade. If you do this with a new car, you will take a huge financial hit due to depreciation and could get less than 50% of what you paid back. Instead, the used car market is a much better place to shop, and you will get a lot more for your money.

Not Choosing the Right Type of Car
You also need to consider what your specific needs are and find a car that ticks all of the boxes. If you live in a city, for example, then a hatchback would be a good option so you should look for a used Volkswagen in Londonthat will be ideal for your lifestyle.

Not Shopping Around
You should never buy the first car you look at and always spend some time shopping around at different dealerships. This will give you a better sense of what is out there and could help you to make big savings on your purchase.

Not Getting an Extended Warranty
If the car that you buy is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, do not fall into the trap of thinking that you can get by without an extended warranty. You could end up paying through the teeth if you have a problem with the car, so it is better to be safe than sorry and arrange an extended warranty.