A car is an important buy: most adults use a car in their everyday life. Cars cost a significant amount of money and thus any car purchase requires considerable research and thought. Car buyers should be aware of their budget, car needs and of course personal taste when deciding on the type of car they are looking to buy.

Size of car
Most cars fall into discrete categories or classes which are dependent on the size and specifications of the car. The most common types of car are listed below. Within each class there is some variation as to the details, dependent on the car manufacturer and model. It is also worth remembering that each type of car has different models with add-ons from the basic model:
  • Hatchbacks: Generally among the smallest cars, hatchbacks often have only 3 doors: driver, passenger and boot or hatchback. Some may add rear passenger doors, making them a 5 door model. Small cars can be beneficial as they are economical and more environmentally friendly than large cars, with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Some smaller cars now come with hybrid or even fully electric drive. Smaller hatchbacks are ideal for city driving as they can fit easily through small gaps and into limited parking spaces. For this reason these cars are often marketed as city cars.
  • Saloons: Saloon cars range in size but are generally a little larger than hatchbacks, with more space for luggage. They are they are suitable for a family of 4 or 5, with most being 5 seater. Saloons follow the traditional format of bonnet-cabin-boot. Many executive cars are luxury versions of saloon cars. The saloon format tends to offer a quieter ride than estate or 4x4 formats.
  • Estates: generally a saloon car with the boot replaced with a load carrying area, bringing the cabin all the way to the rear of the car. Estates offer considerable versatility: many can carry quite significant loads and offer flexible folding rear seats, allowing use as a 4/5 seater with a medium load (still a greater load than a saloon) or a 2/3 seater depending upon split / fold seat options and a much larger load. Roof rails often run the length of the car and can be used to anchor roof racks / boxes / bike racks etc. Some also come with 'seats in the boot', usually rearward facing, allowing a 7 seater configuration. Many regard an estate car as the ideal balance between performance / economy and versatility.
  • Four wheel drive / 4x4: Most 4x4s are inherently large and, whilst provoking some anger from environmental quarters, are ideally suited to those with larger families and load carrying requirements. Few of them ever leave the tarmac which has caused them to be the butt of many a joke, but the 4x4 drive systems of these vehicles make for good handling and stability which can help to offset their sized and weight. Few of them really drive like a car but many models have become iconic and are seen as a 'must-have'.
  • Sports Utility Vehicles / SUVs / People Carriers: there is a growing market for hybrid style vehicles, some of which are also 4 wheel drive. People carriers allow safe transport of some 7 or 8 people in three rows of seats. Not renowned for their driving experience, later models have improved handling and performance and many are now quite luxurious. A whole range of variants exists including Pickups -- a trend that has come from our cousins across the Atlantic and which is gaining in popularity. Some of these are truly monstrous in proportion and engine size. There is little doubt that larger utility vehicles are less environmentally responsible and harder to drive around the city than smaller cars but for larger families they may prove to be a necessity.
  • Sports Cars: Most manufacturers include one or more sports models. Some of these may be souped up versions of any of the formats described above. Others will be dedicated models, often two door and frequently two seats. All are designed for speed and handling rather than comfort although many manage to combine all three. The range is immense, from budget models through to models requiring a second or even third mortgage.
Make of car
Different brands of car have built up different reputations. This is to some degree reflected in the cost. Much of the decision will be driven by the availability of models, brand reputation and simply personal preferences. German cars have historically had a reputation for bullet-proof build quality although the Japanese are giving them a run for their money these days. Italian marques are stylish but may suffer from occasional quality problems; the French produce innovative cars for family users and those with average budgets; the British hardly produce any cars but have some high end marques and iconic offerings; the Americans are starting to push hard in the European market and build quality is improving over historical offerings . All of these are of course generalisations and it pays to research a specific model in-depth in identifying any likely issues.

You should be able to find an insight into many of the manufacturers and their model range here at Classifieds, under the relevant sections and there are many excellent resources online.

Specialist cars
There are a host of cars that are now being produced that fall out of the conventional class of car. Examples include the SMART car, which was developed by Daimler-Chrysler purposely for city driving; it has a small footprint so that it can be easily parked. Smaller cars are advantageous in the city as they are more fuel efficient. Electric or hybrid cars are also seeing tremendous development as manufacturers strive to address environmental and sustainable energy issues.

Legal aspects of buying a car
When buying a second hand car it is important to examine the car's background. It is better to only buy a car with a full service history. The 'log book' or V5 should also bear the seller's name as the recorded keeper. Do bear in mind that this doesn't mean they have unfettered legal title to the car: it may be on finance with the finance company having a lien. You can check this by performing an HPI check which will also tell you if the vehicle has been written off at any time or even stolen.

Always remember that any car must be correctly taxed and insured as well as carrying a valid MOT certificate (if it is older than 3 years) before being driven on public roads.

Where to purchase a car
New cars can be purchased directly from franchised car dealerships, through a broker, or they can be imported. Dealerships often have promotions and may offer you part-exchange on your old car (although you will usually get more for it if you sell privately). In some cases, it is possible to knock the price down with negotiations. Brokers may not have the exact specifications of the model that are desired, but buying from a broker can generally see the best discount. Importing used to be a financially sensible idea, due to the high price of cars in Britain, however, this decreasingly the case, since consumer pressure has pushed the domestic prices down. It may, however, still be possible to find a preferential deal through this route.

Used cars can also be purchased from dealerships and independent motor traders � perhaps the best option if you want to part-exchange. Dealers also offer some piece of mind as it is usually possible to get a warranty although not all warranties are worth the paper they are written on so do check the terms and conditions carefully. Anyone trading as a motor dealer in the UK has statutory obligations, unlike a private seller. More and more people are also buying from Car Supermarkets who make their money by buying (usually via auctions and fleet disposals) in volume and selling in equal volume and relatively low margins. You won't get showroom service but you should get a reasonable deal. Many of them have deals with less-than-fantastic warranty providers which should be checked carefully: you can buy your own warranty on the open market if you prefer.

These factors should then be weighed up against the benefits and cost reductions to be had from buying privately versus from a dealer of any form.

Checking a car
Whether buying a car, particularly a used car, from a dealer or privately, there are a number of questions that should be asked:
  • What is needed from the car?
  • Is the car being bought through friends or family?
  • Is the car from a private advertisement?
  • Is the car from a dealership?
  • What is the cars history?
  • What is the mileage on the car, is it a true value?
  • Does the car have any obvious signs of damage? Or rust?
Before buying any used car the buyer should give the car a thorough examination, check it via HPI and, unless an expert themselves, have it checked by a qualified mechanic who knows the model concerned.
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