What Parents Need To Consider When Buying A New Car

Are you on the lookout for a new car? And by ‘new,’ we don’t necessarily mean something fresh from the manufacturer, but rather any car, used or brand new to replace your current motor.

If so, there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration, especially when you also factor your children into the car buying equation.

#1: Price

Before spending your hard-earned cash on a new motor, you need to work out how much you can reasonably afford. With a family to look after, your bank balance might not be as healthy as you would like, so you might have to curb the temptation to buy something top of the range as your children’s needs have to come first. Use a budget calculator to work out what you can reasonably afford, and then consider the next points in this article.

#2: Safety

Safety must always be your number one concern in the car, especially when you have children to look after. So, if buying second-hand, don’t run the risk of buying a clunker. You might find something dirt cheap, but the seller might be trying to get rid of it because it’s a potential deathtrap and money pit, so be on your guard. In some cases, it could be worth buying something new, be that through hire purchase or rental agreement, if you can’t buy outright. Not only will you have the peace of mind knowing there is less risk of any maintenance problems when out on the road, but the latest cars, such as the glorious new Audi A4, also come with the latest safety features. Still, if you do decide to go second-hand, check the seatbelts and airbags, and consider adding safety features if they don’t already come as standard.

#3: Space

This is a no-brainer, but we aren’t only talking about the space you need to accommodate your children. If you regularly ferry their friends around too, perhaps on the morning school run, you will need enough seats to cater for them. Think about your boot too. It will need enough space for such things as luggage for family road trips, school equipment, and any other items that are frequent travelling companions with you and your family. So, factor in your varying needs within your car’s interior, and choose something fit for purpose.

#4: Fuel-efficiency

Think about how many miles you do in a day, week, or year. If you don’t travel very far, fuel-efficiency might not be your priority. However, if you are regularly taking day trips with the family, and are constantly on the road for school, work or other leisure purposes, then you want to look for something fuel-efficient so as not to bankrupt yourself at the service station. Thankfully, in a bid to be ecologically friendly, most new cars are fuel-efficient as standard, but do your research before you make a purchase.

Finally

Should you be a parent and on the lookout for a new car, use our suggestions to narrow down your choices. After all, considering the expense, you don’t want to buy something that costs you a lot more money down the line. Let us know what you think, and if you have any other car-buying tips for parents, be sure to let us know.

* This is a collaborative post