First-time car buyer's guide
Buying your first car is exciting and a little scary. Take it in order — budget, shortlist, check, inspect — and you will avoid the mistakes that cost first-time buyers the most.
1. Set a real budget
Include more than the sticker price: insurance, fuel, tax, and a buffer for repairs. A cheap car with high running costs is not actually cheap. Decide a total monthly figure you can comfortably live with.
2. Shortlist reliable models
Pick two or three models known for low running costs and few problems, not just for looks. Check each model's common problems and its recall record before you start visiting sellers.
3. Check every car's history
For each candidate, decode the VIN and check open safety recalls and the mileage. It is free and takes a minute — and it filters out the worst cars before you spend a whole day viewing them.
4. Inspect and test drive
See the car in daylight, cold, with all its papers present. Test every electric item, listen for noises, and drive it properly. When in doubt, pay for an independent inspection — it is far cheaper than a bad car.
Check a VIN now
Put it into practice — run a free VIN decode and safety-recall check.