Buying your first car - A Guide.
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  • Buying your first car - A Guide.
  • 24 January 2022
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    Buying your first car - A Guide.

    Your first car will always be your most memorable - but what do you need to look out for to ensure it'll be an IDEAL first car?
Should I buy new or used?

It's entirely up to you if you want a new or used car as your first. This decision can be very dependent on your financial situation and the budget you're looking to spend on your car.

However, we believe a used car is much more ideal for new drivers. Used cars are typically cheaper than buying new. You can find a variety of price ranges within the used car market depending on several factors such as age, mileage and condition of the car.

Used cars are also more widely available than new, especially with the ongoing microchip shortage.

Our dealerships even offer competitive finance deals on used cars, meaning we can work around your budget. 

How much should I spend on my first car?

Well, again, it's entirely up to you how much you want to spend on a car.

Many people often opt for a 'banger' - an old and cheap car that you can pick up for a few hundred pounds - but this doesn't have to be the case. We believe that anybody can find a nice first car that's within their budget. 

Buying and running a car is very costly - no matter what you go for. We suggest evaluating what your needs are and allowing that to reflect on the price you should pay. 

For a car that's going to be doing a lot of journeys, you should probably look for something with a bigger engine which could be bought for £15,000 and under - or alternatively around £250 a month.

On the other hand, if you are just looking for a small run around car you could be looking at around £8,000 and under - or, again, alternatively around £100 a month. 

Hatchback, saloon, or SUV?

Most cars will fall into one of four categories, hatchback, saloon, estate or SUV. There are other varieties, but they fall somewhere inbetween. 

If you are looking for a family car, you best bet will probably be an SUV or an Estate, as these are much bigger.

The hatchback is typically what new drivers go for. They are often small in size, much more efficient to run and much more affordable in general. A hatchback has five seats PLUS a boot that is big enough for your shopping, so we can see why this is ideal for most first time drivers. 

What cars are cheapest to insure?

All cars are categorised into insurance groups 1 to 50. With 1 being the cheapest to insure and 50 being the most expensive. 

Other factors also effect your insurance costs, such as where you live, where you keep your car and your annual mileage. 

Typically, insurance will be cheaper on hatchbacks that have small engines - again, another reason why this is ideal for new drivers. 

Our tip is to enter a cars registration into a car insurance comparison site BEFORE you buy the vehicle, to ensure you can afford it. 

Petrol, diesel or electric?

Petrol is often the most popular choice. Petrol vehicles are often lighter, less prone to issues are much quieter than diesel engines.

If you are more likely to use your car for long journeys, diesels will be a much more efficient choice. However, you aren't designed for lots of short trips, they will quickly wear out if this is what you are doing with a diesel car.

Electric cars can be more expensive than petrol or diesel cars, and take up much more time to 'refuel'. However, if you have a drive way of your own and drive 150 miles or less a day, electric could be the fuel type for you. 

Nissan Intelligent Choice

When looking for your first car, West Way should be your first choice.

As we advised previously, we believe used cars are PERFECT for new drivers. A bonus to buying any used car from West Way is that we follow the 'Nissan Intelligent Choice' pledge.

This means that when you buy a Nissan Intelligent Choice approved used car, it will feel like buying a brand new one. 

Benefits of Nissan Intelligent Choice include;

- Detailed checked on history and mileage
- A minimum of 12 months warranty 
- 2 years free servicing 
- £325 Deposit contribution (9.9% APR REP)
- 1 Years of free Nissan roadside assisstance
- 1 Years FREE MOT care
- 30 day / 1000 mile exchange promise 

West Way's Choice

All being said, we know what the perfect car is for any first time driver; a used Nissan Micra.

Not only do you get all the benefits of Nissan Intelligent Choice, but there are affordable options to buy and also run and insure. 

Why not browse our selection of used Micra's and see if we have the one for you?


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    West Way is a trading name for AWR Automotive UK Limited, a limited liability company registered in England and Wales under number 14219136 with its registered office at 41 Birmingham Road, Wolverhampton, WV2 3LQ.

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