Buying Your First Car: What to Look Out For

Buying your first car is a milestone that many young people anxiously await. They’ve spent months (or years) completing their learner hours, built their confidence on the roads, passed various driving tests and saved up their money to finally reach this point. But once they’ve reached this point, there are plenty of options and pitfalls an inexperienced car owner will need to look out for. 

Whether you’re buying new or used, it’s important to be informed and make sure you’re making the best decision for you, because it’s likely you’ll be driving your first car for years to come. 

Choose Between New and Used 

For many first cars, people will opt for a used car. Let’s be honest, even the safest, most conscientious new driver isn’t immune to misjudging the odd distance while still perfecting their reverse parallel parks, so your first car is bound to get a few bumps and scrapes. 

Not to mention, used cars are much more cost-effective than buying brand new. For many first-time buyers, finding the best second-hand car offers a balance between affordability and value, without the instant depreciation of buying new. Online marketplaces like CarSales and Gumtree have a plethora of used cars to choose from. Just make sure you’re doing your due diligence before buying from a private seller online. 

Set a Realistic Budget

It can be easy to dream big and covet your dream car from the get-go, but managing your expectations and your budget is an essential step towards car ownership. Not only do you have to take into account the cost of the purchase, but you also have to consider the ongoing running costs. That 1970s gas-guzzling American-made vintage muscle car might make the perfect poster, but in reality, that’s an expensive car to keep running. 

Consider your income, your savings, the cost of daily running, how much registration and insurance will cost, and whether replacement parts are especially expensive or will require a special order at a premium price before you let your heart decide on your new car. 

Consider Your Needs 

It’s all well and good to want a brand new, superpowered sports car, but if all you really need it for is to drive to the train station and pick up some groceries, it may be time to reassess. Take the time to think about what you actually need the car for. 

Are you driving multiple passengers? Is it mostly city driving, or do you regularly head out on long distances? Do you have a manual or an automatic licence? Do you need to be able to park in tight spaces, or is parking availability not an issue in your day-to-day life? The answers to all of these questions can help you narrow down the type of car that is most appropriate for you and your requirements. 

Check for Safety and Reliability

You’ll want to make sure that the car you’re buying is safe and reliable before you commit to the purchase. A good place to start is by checking the car's ANCAP Safety Rating. This is a score from 0 - 5 that new cars are assigned, which indicates their safety performance in a crash and their ability to avoid one. While the safety rating relates only to the car when it’s new, it can help you judge the baseline safety of the model you’re considering. 

For used cars, you should perform a thorough inspection, check all lights and electronics, get a professional mechanical inspection, look over the service log books, making sure they’re all up to date, and take it for an extended test drive. It’s also a good idea to check the car's history through a PPSR check and make sure it has a current roadworthy certificate.

Take it for a Test Drive 

The test drive is one of the most important parts of making sure the car is right for you. Jumping behind the wheel, you can get a feel for the car, how it handles, listen out for any unusual engine sounds, feel how it drives, and see how you feel behind the wheel. Even if you buy the safest car on the market, it won’t matter if you don’t feel comfortable behind the wheel. 

Particularly for first-time buyers, getting used to driving a new car can take some adjustments, so giving it a test drive will help you feel more confident in your decision. 

Don’t Rush the Decision 

We get it, owning your very own car is exciting, and you’re ready to hit the road. But don’t rush. Take your time and make sure the car you’re buying is the right one for you. Driving is a massive responsibility that many take for granted. Not only is your safety important, but so is the safety of the people around you on the roads. Choosing the right car for you, one that is safe, reliable, and that you feel comfortable driving, is essential.