The huge choice of cars available can be confusing. By deciding what you need from a car and setting your budget, choosing the right car for you should be straightforward.
Spend a few minutes jotting down what you need from a car – it can help narrow your choices from dozens to a small handful. Good questions to ask include:
When setting your budget you should consider the cost of a new car as well as the on-going costs, such as fuel and maintenance.
Check how much value the car will lose over time – take a look at adverts for older versions of the car you’re looking to buy as a rough indicator.
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As a rule, a car which uses less fuel is preferable to one that drinks fuel. The most modern economical cars can cover more than 70 miles per gallon, and although the majority of these have diesel engines, small petrol engines can run them close.
Some cars, like the Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion have been specially tuned to deliver good fuel economy, and part petrol-part electric hybrids like the Toyota Prius are getting more economical all the time.
However, drivers who cover a small number of miles a year, looking for a bargain car could consider a big-engined petrol car as their high running costs mean there are plenty of bargains to be had.
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Since March 1, 2001, road tax has been based on how much CO2 a car emits. There are 13 tax bands from A to M which group emission and each has a different cost. Generally, the more CO2 a car emits, the more it will cost to tax.
New car buyers will also have to consider a higher first year rate of tax, which is called showroom tax. As it only affects the first year of tax, used car buyers don’t need to pay it.
Cars registered before March 1, 2001 only have two rates of tax – a lower rate for cars below 1,549cc (more commonly known as 1.5- or 1.6-litre) and a higher rate for those above it.
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If the car is for everyday use you may want something comfortable and relaxing to drive, with plenty of comfort-improving extras like air conditioning and a good stereo.
Things like sports suspension and big alloy wheels might look good on paper, but can irritate on a daily commute. If, however, the car is just for fun then this might be just what you want.
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Extra space can be a waste, with bigger cars often costing more to run than smaller ones, so think about who you’ll have in the car.
For adults with occasional passengers, a city car like a Fiat 500 or a supermini like a Ford Fiesta could be just right. A Volkswagen Golf-sized hatchback or family saloon like the Ford Mondeo is fine for four or five.
Small MPVs, also called people carriers, and most 4×4s also seat five, but many such as the Vauxhall Zafira MPV and Land Rover Discovery 4×4 can seat seven in comfort.
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If you are buying a car for short journeys it’s probably best to buy a model with a small petrol engine – they’re generally cheaper to buy than cars with a diesel engine – and are increasingly economical.
For frequent long trips and motorway driving, the extra cost of a diesel makes sense, as the extra fuel economy will fund the additional outlay in the long run. Low-powered cars often use more fuel at motorway speeds than bigger, higher-powered cars as their small engines need to work much harder.
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While a small city car usually has just enough space in its boot for shopping bags, a large estate car can take you and your passengers on holiday or accommodate a few pets. It’s worth making sure how much space a car has with its rear seats in place, and folded down for more luggage room.
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If you need to carry out specific tasks, make sure the car is up to the job. If you tow a trailer, check the official maximum trailer weight, which must never be exceeded. If you’re heading off road, make sure the car has adequate ground clearance and suitable tyres.
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More in-depth buying advice:
How to choose the right car:
Buying a used car | Buying a new car | Setting your budget
Comparing new and used cars | Choosing the right car
Buying an imported car | Buying a classic car
How to buy a car:
Contacting the seller | Inspecting a used car | Test driving a car
Haggling with sellers | Doing the paperwork
How to pay for your car:
Understanding car loans and finance | Checking your credit rating
Returning a car
• Prices confirmed for new SEAT Ibiza
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