Buying first car

Cucela

Hi guys, I will be buying my first car as my job relocated and Im now facing a long commute to work. In my previous job I had a company car, which I enjoyed driving and it seemed to be reliable for the 4 years that I had it. 

I have saved up £2000, hopefully by the time the lockdown is over I will have closer to £3000 towards the car. 

Im looking in to Ford Fiesta 2014, which at the moment costs £7500. I’ve been advised to buy a car from Ford dealerships due to warranty and reliability. Im planning to borrow the remaining balance by taking a loan on 3% APR.
I would like your advice whether I should be buying or maybe consider leasing? Im worries that by the time I pay off the car, it will start showing its age and I will end up spending money on maintenance. Does anyone knows how much car will be worth in lets say 4 years? Any other things to consider that I haven't thought of? 

DUTR

If anyone can see into the future, then fair play to them, the vehicle may not exist in 4 years time.
You are right to be collate information before making a decision, the decision to go with  is what suits your needs and affordability.
Buying from a dealership may have some benefits, but there is a premium to pay and the after service may still not be forthcoming.

Cucela

Thank you for your advice. Where else if not the official dealership I should be looking? Are local garages generally trustworthy? 

Scrapit

Why are you discounting private sales?

Cucela

don't really know how private car sales works? How to know if the car is good condition? What evidence would you ask? I find the pricing very confusing, even looking at dealership offers. I look at  the year and the mileage of the car when searching, is there anything else I should check? 

DUTR

Cucela said:

don't really know how private car sales works? How to know if the car is good condition? What evidence would you ask? I find the pricing very confusing, even looking at dealership offers. I look at  the year and the mileage of the car when searching, is there anything else I should check? 

There are lots of things to check for (and that would remain true if buying from a dealer).
Even with the best intent, you could buy a brand new car that gives much trouble.

Ectophile

Cucela said:

don't really know how private car sales works? How to know if the car is good condition? What evidence would you ask? I find the pricing very confusing, even looking at dealership offers. I look at  the year and the mileage of the car when searching, is there anything else I should check? 

The seller's advertisement must be true.  But you shouldn't make any assumptions about things they haven't told you.  The car must be roadworthy at the time it was sold, unless the seller has warned you that it's not.  That's about it.  No warranties or anything like that.

An HPI check is a really good idea.  That will cost you a few pounds.  Check the service history.  Have a really good look around the car and be prepared to walk away if there's something you don't like the look of.  It would do no harm to have somebody else with you to give a second opinion.

Privately sold cars tend to be quite a bit cheaper.  If they aren't, walk away.  Assume that there might be something wrong that needs fixing, and allow money for that in your budget.

Cucela

Thats a great advice, thanks a lot. I will check what HPI means. Thats the difficulty Im having, I have no one to advise me or go to see the car with so doing lots of research to make the best purchase.