Buying your first car

	Tips on what to look for when you view a car...
	NCD? TPO? For some jargon busting info on insurance click here

Buying a good second hand car can be difficult. There are so many cars out there, and so many people willing to sell you a lemon.

Take some tips from this page about how to spot the difference between a lemon and a peach!

First golden rule....do some research!

This can help you choose the right model for your needs at a good price.

You might decide to buy your car straight from a showroom, through a private sale in a classified advert or in an auction.
Make sure you have taken the following important considerations into account:

* the price * the model * the insurance costs * what do you really need?

The price
Be realistic about what you can afford to pay for the car initially, and how much you can afford to keep it on the road. Regular tax, MOT and servicing, as well as petrol can all add up.

The make/model you want. Use websites like www.autotrader.co.uk to see what cars are in your price range. Then check a website like www.parkers.co.uk which keeps a close watch on second hand prices. This will give you an idea of what you should be paying and how much is too much.

Your insurance costs
It is important that you check out the cost of insuring your short listed cars. As a general rule, the higher the performance or more specialist the car is, the more costly the insurance is likely to be. Young people – especially young men – pay high premiums. Some insurance companies won’t even consider young, inexperienced drivers with powerful cars. But the good news is that if you don’t have accidents or driving convictions, the premiums fall quickly and include a ‘no-claims bonus’. Shop around for the best insurance deals or go to a major broker who can do the searching for you. If you buy on-line you may get a discount.

Read up on your car
Once you have made your shortlist, read about your chosen models in car magazines and on websites. Make sure you get the best for your money. You may even want to consider how the car has done in crash testing. www.euroncap.com have a list of cars and their test results on their website. You could also go to an online facility such as the RAC Car Buyer’s Guide at www.rac.co.uk

What will you use it for?
Consider what you’re going to use your car for. If you intend to use the car for short trips around town, you may want to purchase something with a smaller engine that is economical on miles per gallon and easy to park.

Click here to get some more tips on what to look for when you view a car...

Can you tell your No Claims Discount from your Third Party Only? Click here for some jargon busting info on insurance