What should I look for in my first car?

Be very careful when you choose your first car

A lot of first time car buyers rush into a purchase and pay for it later in more ways than one

Price is obviously going to be your determining factor when it comes to how old your first car is going to be. Mine was old, very old. This does not necessarily mean knackered. The older a car gets the more often it is going to need spare parts, just through wear and tear.

If you know anyone who is in the motor trade then they are the ideal people to ask for advice on second hand cars. Depending upon the value of the vehicle it may be worth considering having the AA or RAC carry out an inspection. This is costly but worth it. If you are spending quite a lot of money on a car then the £150 spent on the inspection can save you a lot of heartache later.

Expectations are the key thing that people get hung up on. Look for the practical things first. Is the bodywork in good repair. Bodyshop prices are extortionate. A small bodywork repair will cost hundreds. Bodywork damage should be avoided. Especially if it indicates that the car may have been in an accident. Even a low speed shunt can hace consequences on other essential parts.

Insist on a test drive. If they do not want to give you one then walk away. There has to be a very good reason that the seller does not want you driving that vehicle.

If the car that you are interested in has a full servicing history all well and good. The older it is though the less likely this is. Ask to see any bills that the owner has kept for the vehicle and old copies of M.O.T certificates. Any evidence in fact that the car has been looked after.

The tips here are by no means exhaustive and are only my own opinion.