Quinn Direct Insurance - How to Buy Your First Car

LONDON, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- So you've passed your driving test and you are looking to buy your first car. As a new driver where do you start? What car is best for you? How can you work out what you can afford? Fortunately, Quinn Direct Insurance who offers superb deals on car insurance for first time drivers has put this guide together for you, to help you choose your first car.

Do your research

Before you go any further, try to decide just how much you can afford to pay for a car. By this we mean not just the car itself, but the costs of running the car. This means additional costs such as car insurance, petrol, road tax, MOT, servicing and repairs. You should also work out what type of car you require. For a first time driver, a small sized car would be preferable, for both ease of manoeuvrability and cheap running costs.

You can find out about the various models of car you are interested in by buying magazines such as Which Car and Parkers. You will find reviews and prices for all types of cars in these magazines that will help you make up your mind.  Quinn Direct Insurance can also help with low cost car insurance quotes so you know how much this is going to cost in advance.

Where to buy

Now you have an idea of what type and price of car you are looking for, you can start looking around. You will find that there are basically three ways of buying a car. You can buy a car from a car dealership, a car auction or through a private owner. When going to any of these places, try to take someone along with you who is both knowledgeable about cars and is trustworthy.

Buying from a car dealership

Buying from a reputable car dealership is probably the safest way of the three. Look for a garage/dealer that has had its cars part inspected by the RAC or AA. Or choose a dealership that has a quality checking scheme. Additionally, check to see if the dealer follows a recognised code of practice supported by the Office of Fair Trading. If you are able to phone the Retail Motor Industry Federation's Motorline or the Scottish Motor Trade Association, they should be able to help you find a suitable dealer in your area. Alternatively, ask around family and friends for information on good local garages and dealers.

Buying from a Private Owner

Another common way of acquiring a car is buying from a private owner. This will be cheaper than buying from a dealership, however it can be riskier. You'll also be able to get an idea of running costs, ask them how much they pay for servicing and for their car insurance.

Avoid buying a car from anyone who asks you to meet him anywhere other than his home (such as a lock-up garage) or gives you a number and asks you to call at a specific time. He/she may have given you a number to a telephone box. Additionally, avoid this owner if the telephone number appears in ads for several different cars.

Buying from a Car Auction

If you buy your first car from an auction, you can very often pick up a bargain. However, you do need to know what you are doing. It is advised to go along a couple of times purely as a spectator in order to learn the ropes. Take someone with you who knows about cars. Set yourself a limit to how much you are willing to spend and stick to it. Pay attention to the entry form placed on the car's windscreen as it will give you some information on the car's history.  As always check up on servicing, MOT and car insurance for the different models before you buy.  You don't want to be landed with a sleek motor that costs as much in insurance as it did to buy!

What to look for when examining the car

To begin with, the car you are looking to buy must have a full service history. This gives you peace of mind that the car has been properly looked after and serviced. Check that the mileage of the car is warranted and that the registration and service documents are all in order. If the car is more than three years old, check that it has a valid MOT certificate.   You'll need an MOT certificate to get car insurance sorted.

When examining the car, do and ask the following:

• Look at the vehicle in daylight.
• Look for unusual welding on the engine, boot or on the frame of the car.
• Is the paintwork patchy or mismatched?
• Have body panels been damaged or repaired?
• Are the wheel arches or door bottoms rusty?
• Check that the tyres are not worn.
• Check that the seat belts are not worn.
• Check for faulty electrics.
• Are the windows etched with the correct Vehicle Identity Number (VIN)?

Be aware that some cars are the product of an illegal practice commonly known as 'Cut and shut', where the good ends of two damaged cars are welded together. If you find unusual weld marks in the boot or between the doors, do not buy the car.   Not only is it illegal but will affect your ability to claim on your car insurance if anything goes wrong.  

What to look for when test driving the car

Make sure that you are able to test drive the car. When doing so, pay attention to the following:

• Do the brakes operate normally and quietly?
• Does the gear stick allow you to move it smoothly?
• Does the clutch slip, or does it grab when in use?
• Does the steering column vibrate?
• Will the car drive straight or does it pull to one side?
• When you brake or accelerate, does the car stay in gear?
• Is the hand brake faulty?

If the car passes all these checks then it is probably a car that is worth purchasing. Once again, we would recommend taking someone with knowledge or cars with you to help (a parent, a friend or a member of your family). Good luck in finding and buying your first car!

SOURCE Quinn Direct Insurance