What are all the costs associated with getting a car?

foxy-stoat

ashleymilleri said:

Depreciation is something that can be disappointing in both buying and selling cars. I have some good car deals if anyone is interested, see here www.autoankauf-duesseldorf.de

REALLY ?  why did you bother posting?

AdrianC

foxy-stoat said:

ashleymilleri said:

Depreciation is something that can be disappointing in both buying and selling cars. I have some good car deals if anyone is interested, see here www.autospam-irrelevant.de

REALLY ?  why did you bother posting?

Why do spammers ever bother posting?

fred246

Mutton_Geoff said:

fred246 said:

macman said:

Don't ignore depreciation (especially so if buying new), and loss of interest on capital.

I don't think 'loss of interest on capital' is very much these days.

Depends what you spend your capital on. My purchase of SMT.L (Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust) has grown 100% in the last 12 months. It's rare a car doubles in value in a year.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/quote/SMT.L/

Yes buying a car does mean less money to spend at the casino. That's not INTEREST though.

[Deleted User]

Getting back on track, just to make a complete picture of costs:

1. When you say "Service Maintenance" - this is not just your standard £150 annual service, also need to include wear and tear parts such as tyres / brakes / wipers / bulbs / battery / exhaust etc that need replacing periodically.
2. Consumables such as windscreen washer fluid and minor maintenance things like car washing / waxing / cleaning / air for the tyres etc
3. Fines - bus lanes / speeding etc - hopefully none but can happen

You also asked about advice for buying a car - here is a copy and paste from another thread that I did recently but your budget and basic requirements would be useful to help add more details:

My checklist:
1. Minimal number of previous owners - 1 is ideal
2. Full service history including cambelt change at appropriate age or mileage (<< ask this question) /  gearbox service for auto
3. 12 month MOT and check out the MOT history online for clues to the treatment of the car

All the above can be done before even viewing the car. When viewing the car:
1. Exterior check - good body work shows it has been looked after, check tyres for enough tread / all same brand / wheels are not damaged. Check brakes, you can usually see how much pad / disk left. Look under car, any major rust. Check exhaust.
2. Interior - often a reflection on the owner, should be all good, everything working, try all switches, doors, mirrors, windows etc. Smell the car for damp / unusual smells
3. Engine bay - Check all fluids, oil should be clean if just serviced. Check for signs of leaks. 
4. Must take it for a test drive - 10 miles recommended. If they let you out on your own, rag it with some hard acceleration and and emergency stop where safe. Left and right turns, reversing / parking manoeuvres etc. Check for any warning lights on dash and any unusual noises. Try everything out, heater, air con, wipers, lights etc.
5. I can spend an hour including a test drive inspecting a car, don't rush.

Don't buy the first car you look at, you can always come back to it, aim to view 3 or 4 to get a feel for what is good / bad before deciding. 

NottinghamKnight

fred246 said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

fred246 said:

macman said:

Don't ignore depreciation (especially so if buying new), and loss of interest on capital.

I don't think 'loss of interest on capital' is very much these days.

Depends what you spend your capital on. My purchase of SMT.L (Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust) has grown 100% in the last 12 months. It's rare a car doubles in value in a year.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/quote/SMT.L/

Yes buying a car does mean less money to spend at the casino. That's not INTEREST though.

It's not a casino, it's investment, only game in town. However if you are suspicious of 'gambling' you have become hugely poorer in the last decade or more compared to those who do invest, 10% per annum is typical.

fred246

It's still not INTEREST.

fred246

1. Exterior check - good body work shows it has been looked after.

I agree with most of what you have written apart from this bit. I much prefer original paint work with a few imperfections than a car with multiple areas of sanding, filler and resprays. I understand that cars will get various scratches and bumps along the way so don't bother about them as long as it won't rust, affect the MOT or the performance of the vehicle. A car is there to do a job. I'm not going to spend hours gazing at it, worrying about the odd mark.

hareng

Depreciation is based upon age, condition and mileage. Theres other hidden costs, wear and tare to maintenance and repairs.

Tyre wear on rear with a FWD can be 2.5p mile. New engine chain from £550 to £1700 will come in 2p per mile over 80k. Insurance partly dependant upon mileage ie pay more doing more miles.

It all adds up far more than you think, its not just the cost of fuel to get any where. It used to cost me 12 yrs ago all in £132 p/w for 370 mile (35.6p mile) after buying car outright, repairs and servicing myself. Cost will be more using dealers.

[Deleted User]

fred246 said:

1. Exterior check - good body work shows it has been looked after.

I agree with most of what you have written apart from this bit. I much prefer original paint work with a few imperfections than a car with multiple areas of sanding, filler and resprays. I understand that cars will get various scratches and bumps along the way so don't bother about them as long as it won't rust, affect the MOT or the performance of the vehicle. A car is there to do a job. I'm not going to spend hours gazing at it, worrying about the odd mark.

Yep, minor blemishes consistent with age are all ok.

I do however judge the previous owner in terms of those exterior issues ie if it appears they are a clumsy driver with too many such marks and dents I do worry about the invisible issues caused by that eg kerbing the wheels too often leading to suspension and bearing faults later in life.