Buying First Car

EggyEmmy

Help! I am hoping to buy my first car within the next month and I will be honest I have no idea what I need to look for before making a purchase.

Ideally I am looking for a smallish car, automatic and no older than 6 years old.

Should I look at reputable garages, i.e. Hyundai, Renault, Kia etc. Or larger places.

If anyone can recommend anywhere I am up North in Greater Manchester.

I do not really have anyone else I can ask for advice, and I do not want to be ripped off being a single female.

What is the best way to pay for a car, cash or a debit card? I do not need finance and cannot pay via a credit card.

DUTR

EggyEmmy wrote: »

Help! I am hoping to buy my first car within the next month and I will be honest I have no idea what I need to look for before making a purchase.

Ideally I am looking for a smallish car, automatic and no older than 6 years old.

Should I look at reputable garages, i.e. Hyundai, Renault, Kia etc. Or larger places.

If anyone can recommend anywhere I am up North in Greater Manchester.

I do not really have anyone else I can ask for advice, and I do not want to be ripped off being a single female.

What is the best way to pay for a car, cash or a debit card? I do not need finance and cannot pay via a credit card.

There is no one size fits all, ripped off is splashing out and getting nothing back for your money, the dealer prices won't be rock bottom. I'm not sure why you say there is absolutely no one to go along with you.
Have a fair budget in your mind and stick to that, the worst the dealer can do is say no.
As for paying some kind of electronic transfer is better for larger amounts. My last two cars were paid for with debit card.

Ebe_Scrooge

If you're buying from a reputable trader then you don't need to worry too much about the mechanical side of things, as you'll be covered by the Sale Of Goods act, and the dealer should also offer a warranty ( be suspicious if they don't ). Yes, it's much better to take a mechanically-minded friend along if possible, but at least you've got some comeback against a reputable dealer.


Spend some time looking at the Autotrader website, get a feel for what similar cars are being advertised for. Of course, the advertised price is not necessarily the sale price, but it'll give you a feel for whether the price on the forecourt is in the right ballpark.


There's always room for a bit of haggling - the dealer will always knock something off, even if it's just a small percentage. Even if he won't knock the price down, negotiate a full tank of fuel, some mats, some sort of "extra".


Payment - check with the dealer, but every time I've bought a used car, debit card is the preferred option. It's safest for all concerned, and instant - no waiting around for cheques to clear. Just give your bank a quick call beforehand to let them know, otherwise they may block the transaction as it's unusually large. It's no issue if this does happen - it's happened to me once, I just spoke to them on the phone there and then in the salesman's office, answered some security questions, Bob's your uncle.


Most dealers won't accept credit cards as they get hit with quite a large fee. It is, however, worth paying a small deposit on credit card ( just £1 will do ), then the balance by debit card - that way, you're covered by Section 75 from the credit card company, should anything go pear-shaped.


Hope this helps.

EggyEmmy

DUTR wrote: »

I'm not sure why you say there is absolutely no one to go along with you.

Because I don't it. It is too much to think someone might not have any family to ask for help and advice. All my friends live 100's of miles away, I have no-one local.

EggyEmmy

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

If you're buying from a reputable trader then you don't need to worry too much about the mechanical side of things, as you'll be covered by the Sale Of Goods act, and the dealer should also offer a warranty ( be suspicious if they don't ). Yes, it's much better to take a mechanically-minded friend along if possible, but at least you've got some comeback against a reputable dealer.


Spend some time looking at the Autotrader website, get a feel for what similar cars are being advertised for. Of course, the advertised price is not necessarily the sale price, but it'll give you a feel for whether the price on the forecourt is in the right ballpark.


There's always room for a bit of haggling - the dealer will always knock something off, even if it's just a small percentage. Even if he won't knock the price down, negotiate a full tank of fuel, some mats, some sort of "extra".


Payment - check with the dealer, but every time I've bought a used car, debit card is the preferred option. It's safest for all concerned, and instant - no waiting around for cheques to clear. Just give your bank a quick call beforehand to let them know, otherwise they may block the transaction as it's unusually large. It's no issue if this does happen - it's happened to me once, I just spoke to them on the phone there and then in the salesman's office, answered some security questions, Bob's your uncle.


Most dealers won't accept credit cards as they get hit with quite a large fee. It is, however, worth paying a small deposit on credit card ( just £1 will do ), then the balance by debit card - that way, you're covered by Section 75 from the credit card company, should anything go pear-shaped.


Hope this helps.

Thanks, much appreciated.

BeenThroughItAll

EggyEmmy wrote: »

Help! I am hoping to buy my first car within the next month and I will be honest I have no idea what I need to look for before making a purchase.

Ideally I am looking for a smallish car, automatic and no older than 6 years old.

Should I look at reputable garages, i.e. Hyundai, Renault, Kia etc. Or larger places.

If anyone can recommend anywhere I am up North in Greater Manchester.

I do not really have anyone else I can ask for advice, and I do not want to be ripped off being a single female.

What is the best way to pay for a car, cash or a debit card? I do not need finance and cannot pay via a credit card.

If you're unsure what you're looking at, I'd suggest staying away from back-street traders, and looking only at well-established garages (not necessarily main dealers, but ones who have been around a few years), with well-kept premises, and well prepared stock.


Keep an open mind, and don't get hung up on a particular make, model, colour, etc. Buy on general condition, but look for a car with a full service history, make sure it's got two keys. Don't panic about mileage - low mileage doesn't always make for a better purchase (remember; buy on condition).


Look at the tyres and make sure they all match in brand (a good sign of a conscientious owner) and have plenty of life in them (Google 'Tread Wear Indicator' to find out how).


Most of all, trust your gut. If anything doesn't feel right, you don't like the sales guy, they pressure you or try to convince you it's the right car, etc, then WALK AWAY. There is no shortage of used cars around.


One thing I do have a problem with in your original post though. "Up North". In Manchester!


The "proper" North starts 100 miles further north. And there's still another sixty odd to go before you hit Scotland over this side of the country

DUTR

EggyEmmy wrote: »

Because I don't it. It is too much to think someone might not have any family to ask for help and advice. All my friends live 100's of miles away, I have no-one local.

They don't have to be family, if you/I were local then I would offer to go along with you.
Also you could have a motor organisation inspection on one that you have finally decided upon, be aware though these are not free but can be worth it.

david_a

First thing to do is find out what car suits you. Scan Autotrader etc find a few that might be suitable and go have a look at them, Corsa,Fiesta Yaris etc. Once you know what you want find a few examples and choose which one looks best. As previously stated service history is a good key. Also google the dealer look at the reviews. Main dealers will be the most expensive but should give excellent after sales care, I said should! However there are some small dealers who will be as good for a lower price. Look for long established independents who trade under their own name as opposed to generic name which can easily be changed. Most reputable dealers will give you a new mot,without any advisories on it,and perhaps a copy of a pre delivery inspection. If you want the AA and RAC both do inspections, around £100 I think depending on if you are a member.

spira9

How much is your budget?

dannyrst

I'm not far from Manchester, been towards that way to look at a few cars before.

Stay clear of Evans Halshaw. I've found them very unhelpful in the past, as have a large number of others. Arnold Clark are similar, numerous threads created on here about them.

What I would say is do not rush into it. Whatever you do, don't rush because the sales rep is giving you a "today only offer". Take your time, feel free to ask the sales reps to take a step back whilst you browse.

I found in the past that going to Motorpoint or Carcraft (now ceased trading) is a good idea just to get a feel for the cars size, shape etc. Then go away and find a reasonably priced alternative.

macman

Basics; your budget, and your likely annual mileage? What is the car going to be used for?
You don't want a turbodiesel if you are doing 10 miles a day, so mileage and type of journeys is crucial.
You get a good degree of consumer protection if you buy from a garage, but virtually none at all if you buy privately. What sort of warranty are you looking for?