buying a car...

i_wanna_save_money!

I am looking to buy a car as I have just passed my test last week WOO HOO!

The thing is, how can I take a car for a test drive as I won't be insured until I buy a car (hope you know what I mean). Are there any ways around this as I don't want to buy a car that I have not driven myself.

Thanks

Inactive

Buy one from a dealer, they will have insurance to cover you.;)

i_wanna_save_money!

Thanks Inactive, can I not buy off a private seller then? I have only got about £1000 to spend, so I thought I would get a better price with a private sale.

anewman

You'd probably get more for your money from a private seller and have about equal risk of buying a dud as the traders at this price level will be hit and miss and won't be giving any warranty.

I would take along someone who can legally test drive the car for you. All cars will drive slightly differently so you'll have to get used to a new car anyway, different clutch bite point and so on. Even if the brand and model is exactly the same as the one you learnt in there can be differences. Plus, they always say, you pass your test and *then* you learn how to drive.

There are a few companies that allow you to buy insurance for one day, including www.ecarinsurance.co.uk

Remember to budget for insurance, repairs, tax, MOT, petrol. Particularly insurance, if you're young and in a high crime area it will easily exceed £1000. £500 can get you a decent enough car. Plus if you set £500 aside it can be used to buy another car or pay for any unexpected repairs.

If you can get a Skoda Felicia 1.3 at about £300 fully working decent condition it would make a very good buy IMO. They are all Skoda design but some people falsely claim they are a rebadged VW. In fact some old VW caddy vans were rebadged Skoda Felicia-based but people don't say that to try sell them

Inactive

i_wanna_save_money! wrote: »

Thanks Inactive, can I not buy off a private seller then? I have only got about £1000 to spend, so I thought I would get a better price with a private sale.

You can, but of course the seller would need to have " any driver " insurance cover, highly unlikely.