Top tips for buying your first car

There are few moments more memorable than buying your first car. For many, this happens right on the cusp of adulthood, and signifies a greater independence and freedom. And while owning a car brings with it a host of rewards, making sure you choose the right vehicle for you is crucial – lest it bring with it a host of unwanted costs and problems instead.

Where to buy your first car

So, you’ve saved some cash, done your research and you know the type of car you want to purchase – now what? Is it better to find the model you want and seek out a private sale, or go straight to the dealership to find what you’re looking for? In part, this will depend on what kind of car you have in mind.

If you’re looking at buying a brand new car, a dealership will be your primary option. Once you’ve drilled down on the make and model of car you want to buy, you can research dealerships in your area that sell it, keeping in mind that in the current economy, due to a number of supply chain issues, brand new cars often come with significant waiting times, so you may need to factor this into your plans.

If you’re interested in purchasing a second-hand or used car, your options broaden – by using national car sales databases such as Carma or CarSales.com.au, you can filter results by location, make, model, mileage and price. Both dealerships and private vendors list on these types of database sites, meaning you can compare deals and benefits from a range of different options.

According to Peter Willis, Director of Buying at online used car platform, Carma, wherever you choose to buy your first car, being prepared with the right questions is key.

“Be clear on what it is you are looking for and if there are any specific features that it must have,” he says.
“This way, you’ll be in a good position to compare cars and prices from both private sellers and dealers. If a deal seems to be too good to be true – it might be and, in my experience, it typically is! Ask questions to ensure you end up with a car in good condition - service and owner history being two of the key questions.”

Common risks to avoid when buying first car

If you’re new to the world of vehicle ownership, it’s important to understand some of the common pitfalls that new drivers encounter when purchasing a new car. One of the biggest risks is allowing a lack of knowledge about the process to restrict your bargaining power. Whether this means bringing an experienced car owner along to help you inspect potential purchases, or having someone assist with negotiations, make sure your inexperience doesn’t make you a target for less-than-honourable vendors.

Another common risk to avoid is buying a car that doesn’t suit your needs. Getting really clear about the features you need (and those you don’t) will help you choose the appropriate make and model. The rising cost of living means fuel efficiency is a big consideration for many, for example, and may mean you should consider a smaller or more economical type of car. Choosing a car simply based on your preference for the look and feel might come back to bite you if you can’t afford to drive it!

Our first car buying checklist

It can be useful to devise a checklist to help keep your purchase in line with your requirements. The following is a good starting point, but feel free to expand on it based on your individual circumstances in order to filter out vehicles that won’t work for your needs.

What are the standard features?

Every make of car comes with certain ‘standard features, meaning the features that are automatically included in every model. ‘Extras’ such as leather seats or auto-locking doors can often be add-ons, or premium features, but there will be a list of inclusions that come standard. These are what you should consider. Some features to be on the lookout for include important safety features such as airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and reversing sensors. In terms of other useful features, power steering, remote locking and bluetooth connectivity could greatly increase your comfort.

What are the on-road costs?

How much does the car typically cost to service? What about fuel consumption and insurance? Understanding what the ongoing costs of a certain model are will help you make a decision about whether or not it is right for you.

Has it been inspected?

“It’s also important to ensure that logbooks and service histories are up to date to avoid the need for servicing and repairs immediately after purchase, " Mr Willis explains.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic lockdowns resulted in many vehicles with patchy service histories – due to either an inability to get there, or because the cars hadn’t driven far enough to reach the next service threshold. If there’s any missing information, buyers should ask questions or even get a third-party inspection before purchasing.”

Other factors to take into consideration include:

• Is there a warranty, and if so, how long is it and what does it cover?
• How many kilometres has it travelled?
• Do you have a receipt for all the work done?
• Has it been in a crash?
• Is there debt on the car?
• Can you take it for a test drive?
• Does your licence allow you to drive the car you want?