The car buying process is exciting, for sure, especially when you’ve found a vehicle you love or if you know that you’re ready to buy that one particular model you’ve dreamed of for years. However, before you proceed with the purchase or car hunt, always keep the following ten steps in mind to help.

10 Steps to Purchase the Perfect New Car

Don’t buy a car blind. Always follow the ten steps presented below to get the most from your purchase!

1. Run a car history check ─ Before you hand over any money, always run a car history check to ensure the vehicle is genuine. These checks highlight lots of valuable data, including MOT records, mileage data, stolen/write-off status, number of owners, plate change history, etc.
2. Define the basics ─ Before you can go any further, defining the most essential features of your new car is crucial. Key examples of this might include the vehicle type, number of seats, intended use, and so on.
3. Choose possible models ─ Once your basic requirements are set out, you can begin looking at models that might match your needs. Try to choose several possible models to increase your options.
4. Work out the right budget ─ With models in mind, the next step is defining a budget. As part of this, you’ll need to consider two factors. Most crucially, you should consider what you can afford (and never go above this figure). Try to consider the likely price of your chosen models, too; for example, if your maximum budget is £5,000 but the model usually sells for £10,000 or more, you may want to rethink your plan.
5. Find a listing site ─ By now, you know exactly what you’re looking for, and you can begin your car search. Consider all of the different listing sites and platforms to help you know where to search for a great new car. Alternatively, consider local dealerships if you’d prefer to buy in person.
6. Search for a suitable vehicle ─ At this point, you can begin looking for a vehicle that matches your needs. Online listing sites are useful here, as they make searching for different vehicle types simple.
7. Check the seller ─ Once you’ve found a possible car, check the seller’s details closely. Many sellers will create fake or fraudulent accounts on online listing sites to publish fraudulent adverts; alternatively, if you’re buying from a dealership, check their past reviews from other customers.
8. Request additional pictures and/or videos from the seller ─ When buying online, asking for additional pictures can help authenticate the sale. If the seller doesn’t own the car, they may not be able to get these photos, giving you a potential red flag.
9. Visit the car in person ─ Never buy a vehicle without seeing it in person first! Looking at the car directly can make it easier to identify any potential issues that photos may not show clearly.
10. Take the car out for a test drive ─ Without a doubt, test drives are a great way to ensure the car runs as it’s supposed to. After all, a lot of problems can be masked while the car’s turned off and at a standstill. However, if you can’t have a test drive, at minimum, make sure you see the car turned on and running before buying.

These are just some key points to consider. Still, it’s not an exhaustive list; so, if there’s anything else you think of, make sure to check it before handing over any money.

Final Thoughts

Before buying a new (or second-hand) car, ensuring you’ve completed today’s steps is critical. Indeed, it’s so easy to get caught out with a vehicle that’s been sold fraudulently or dishonestly. In line with this, knowing where and how to start your search can make a big difference, and we’ll be here to help.

Remember ─ no matter how honest the seller seems, it’s always possible for people to make mistakes (or have been conned themselves). As such, running a car history check before you hand over any money is integral to ensure you’re not buying a fraudulent or even fake vehicle!