A Mothers guide to buying a car

When it comes to buying a car, it’s unfortunate that women are treated differently. You could be completely clued up on all things automotive, and yet when you enter the showroom the chances are you will be made to feel out of place, or possibly you are anticipating this and it’s putting you off.

Either way, don’t let that put you off buying that car you’ve been longing for and use our top 10 tips as guidance.

Tip 1: Make first contact

The worst thing you can possibly do is have your boyfriend or husband as the initiator as from that point onwards the sales people will direct all talk to him and before you know it he’s the one buying the car!

Tip 2: Bring a man along

You may not have expected this one, but take a man with you when you visit the dealership. The mere fact that you have a gentleman with you will mean you won’t be brushed off and will notice they take you more seriously. Just make sure you lead the conversation.

Tip 3: Preparation is paramount

I’m sure you more than likely would, but go prepared. Research into the type of car you want, read reviews on the cars you prefer and cars of a similar nature. You can also read a few blogs about what people may have experienced while deciding what car to buy. This will mean that when you visit the dealership you’re prepared with an arsenal of information as well as having a host of very relevant questions that will give an air of knowledge and authority.

Tip 4: Don’t be shy

Give the car a good look over. Check the exterior panels for any marks, scratches or dents, check the wheel arches, inside and out. Look inside the car, is the interior in good condition. And don’t forget to check under the bonnet, even if it is a case of you’re not entirely sure what you’re looking at.

Tip 5: Don’t be afraid to ask

Nobody expects you to be the all-knowing guru of cars and asking simple questions confidently will show the sales person that you do mean business and have a serious interest in the vehicle.

Tip 6: Go for a drive

Put yourself in the driver’s seat and take it for a spin and see how comfortable you feel when you are actually driving. Check if it has a soft or hard clutch, what the handbrake is like. Are all of the controls in sensible places for your style of driving? Once you’re behind the wheel you will notice a plethora of things you like or dislike about the car, and a range of new questions too!

Tip 7: Know the value

The chances are the car you’re looking at will be very well priced, but it’s always best to just make sure you’re not paying over the actual value for the car. Do a little research beforehand to find out what is considered the ‘real’ market value. In the event that you are interested, you can contact the dealers directly and gather as much information as possible. There’s a good chance they have access to a lot of information (you can dig this page for more details). Once you’ve gathered all the details, you can determine how they can support your cause. You can also do this by looking on autotrader for your car of choice and matching up the mileage. Parkers also have a handy tool you can use for this too.

Tip 8: Drive a hard bargain

The price you see does not necessarily have to be the price you pay. A deal is most always there to be made. Remember, you don’t always get the best deal by part exchanging your current car, and you could benefit from selling your car privately or to a company that specialise in buying cars such as www.listers.co.uk/sell-my-car.

Tip 9: Don’t feel pressured

You’re the one in the driver’s seat. Buying a car should not be impulsive so if there is a factor you’re unsure of, whether it be the price of the car, its suitability, simply walk away and give it some careful consideration.

Tip 10: Shop around

Don’t get into the mind-set that because you’ve found a great car at one dealership, that’s your only option. There’s a whole host of sites out there that will show you a host of used cars from numerous dealerships, so keep your options open.