Buying a family car comes with all sorts of considerations. You have to think about car seats, upgrading storage space and if your budget will fit the bill. Then comes all the research and negotiation, and before you know it, you’ve found yourself a sweet ride for all the family.
Sounds simple enough.
Here, we take a look at 7 things you need to know before buying a family car so that you can have a hassle-free experience from start to finish:
What can you reasonably afford?
Before you go strolling across the forecourt, you need to know your budget limits. To do this, simply pour a cuppa, sit down and highlight all your different monthly expenses:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Utility bills: electric, gas, water etc.
- Mobile phone
- Current car maintenance, servicing and fuel costs
- Tax/insurance
- Food
- Entertainment
- Other expenses
Once you have a grand total, look at what’s left over. Are there any adjustments you can make, such as upgrading your phone contract to a cheaper deal or eating out less, for example?
Now you have a budget in mind, stick to it!
Do you need to consider car finance?
Did you know that a car loan is the most popular way to buy a new motor in the UK? It instantly makes purchasing a vehicle more affordable as you don’t need to cover upfront costs all at once. Instead, you can pay lower monthly payments over a set period of time and reap all the extra benefits too.
Choose from a personal contract purchase (PCP), hire purchase (HP), lease purchase or personal loan. While some types of car finance are more flexible than others (PCP and HP), there are merits to each of them that will suit you better than others.
Most car finance deals typically include servicing, maintenance, manufacturer’s warranty and in some cases even breakdown cover. So make sure you check out all the finer details before signing on the dotted line and feel free to ask the dealer any questions!
Type of vehicle and size
Doing a spot of research for half an hour could save you a fortune at the dealership. Have a look at different types of cars ranging from SUVs to saloons, to see what suits your family best via comparison websites and motor reviews.
You need to consider ease of access. Are your children going to struggle to hop in and out? Can you easily reach car seats? Is there enough storage space for buggies, luggage and more?
But more importantly, will the vehicle suit your family as it grows and as your children get bigger?
Once you have a rough idea of what you are looking for, compare like-for-like vehicles to see what the average spend is. This includes running costs, tax and insurance, and any upfront costs.
You could have more options to choose from than you’d think, such as Ford Privilege cars. These should have more than enough space for you and your family, no matter how large it gets. The running costs and other factors also shouldn’t be too significant, making them appropriate options.
Safety comes first
Safety is a top priority for families. And one of the easiest ways to understand the safety of any vehicle is to look up its Euro NCAP score.
They assess four important areas:
- Child Occupant Protection
- Adult Occupant Protection (for driver and passengers)
- Pedestrian Protection or Vulnerable Road User Protection
- Safety Assist, which evaluates driver assistance and crash avoidance technologies
Parents with younger children should not only look up the overall star rating of the vehicle you are interested in but look closely at the Child Occupant Protection scores.
Consider running costs
We all use our cars differently and have different priorities in our everyday use of them. But no matter what takes up most of your time behind the wheel: work, road trips, exploring and more, it’s incredible how quickly all the running costs add up.
You need to consider fuel options. Do you go for a petrol or diesel engine, or futureproof your purchase and opt for an electric vehicle (EV)?
While fuel costs are finally creeping back down at the pumps, buying an EV may save you money in the long run. Upfront costs are no longer as pricey, and with car finance available, you can bag yourself an absolute bargain at the dealership.
Undeniably, there are perks to both ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles and EVs. But with technological advances, the automotive industry is definitely favouring the latter over the former – particularly with the looming 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel sales. Future proof your car purchase by opting for a ULEZ compliant car.
Think about the interiors
Any parent knows how quickly a clean car can turn into a scene of muddy or crumb fuelled devastation! Dirty hand prints, your child’s growing stick collection and more are enough to turn your dirt-free haven into a travelling bin!
The best chance you have is to avoid hard to clean interiors. While the level of debris on the back seat, in the footwells and along the doors might not phase you, wiping away spills and debris will help to keep upholstery clean and prevent your car’s value from taking a hit.
Opting for an easy-to-clean surface such as leather will make keeping your car’s interior cleaner for longer much simpler.
Take it out for a spin
No matter how much research you do and how many car reviews you read, you’re never going to get a complete sense of a vehicle’s power, size and handling than taking it out for a test drive.
While you’re behind the wheel, make sure you:
- Feel comfortable in the driver’s seat
- Is the car easy to access? Front and back?
- Take the car out on a variety of roads if you can
- Do an emergency stop when it is safe to do so
- Listen out for any odd engine sounds and/or smells
- Does the car handle well on the road?
- Are all the electrics and onboard tech easy to use?
When you step out of the vehicle, have a good look at the bodywork and interiors too. Check the boot space. Is it roomy enough for your needs? Will you be able to fit car seats easily?
If at any time you don’t feel comfortable, you are free to walk away, no strings attached.
Are you ready to shop around for your next family car? With so many features to consider, from safety to space, which one will you choose?
