For many families, their car is their lifeline, and they would be lost without one. However, cars can be expensive nowadays and even the price of used cars has gone up in recent years. No matter how you choose to fund your next family car, you may be wanting to keep costs as low as possible. So, before you jump headfirst into buying your next car, check out the top tips below on how to make it more affordable for you and your family.
Purchase at the right time.
If you need a car in a hurry, you may not have the luxury of waiting for the right time, but knowing when car prices could be lower can help you. When you buy a car from a dealership, it is a good idea to shop for your next car after the new registrations are released in March and September each year. This is because new car buyers may be trading in their current vehicles for the new model, which you could take advantage of. Dealers may end up with lots of part exchanged cars and be in a hurry to get rid of them which could mean a better deal for you.
Part exchange your car.
If you already have a car but want to upgrade, you could exchange the car with the dealer. This is when you use the value of the car you have towards your next car. The dealer will give you a valuation for your car and include the price of any fees and then any remaining equity will be used as money off your next car or finance deal.
Not only is it a way to make your deal cheaper, but it also means you don’t have to waste time selling your car and can drop it off the same day you pick up your new car!
Explore finance options.
Buying a car with cash will always be the cheapest way to get a car. This is because there’s no interest or additional fees to pay, and you can be the legal owner of the car straightaway. However, for many drivers, forking out a lump sum payment for a car isn’t an option. If you’re looking to finance your next car and spread the cost into monthly payments, it can be a good idea to take some time to explore the types of finance available. Getting a no deposit car finance deal can be attractive, but having some money to put down at the start of the agreement may be required, so it’s worth keeping in mind. Car finance is subject to status and won’t be offered to anyone who isn’t suitable, so it can be worth checking your eligibility first before you commit to funding a car this way.
Work out running costs of owning a car.
When buying a car, many drivers solely focus on the monthly payment. And whilst this is important, you should also consider the running costs of owning a car too.
Not only will you have to buy or finance the car, but you will also have to factor in the cost to insure your vehicle, refuel or recharge it, pay for servicing and MOTs and also Vehicle Exercise Duty (car tax) too.
Don’t be shy when it comes to haggling.
Many drivers are shy when it comes to haggling or negotiating the price of a car. However, it can be a great way to get money off your next car purchase. If you’re seriously interested in buying the car, you could ask the dealer or seller for a realistic discount off the price. Don’t go in all guns blazing, asking for 50% off the advertised price and instead offer a price under what your maximum budget would be and slowly work your way up if there’s no wiggle room from the seller. If you’re buying with finance, it can be harder to haggle the price as it may be out of the dealers’ hands and instead the price lies with the lender.
