Pros & Cons of New and Used Cars

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Pros and Cons of New and Used Cars

There are pros and cons of buying either a new or second hand car. If you decide to buy a new car you will receive a manufacturer’s warranty, your car will require very little maintenance and probably need no MOTs for 3 years. On the down side they are far more expensive and depreciate the moment money changes hands.

Second hand cars are normally much cheaper and normally lose less value over the first year of you owning one. But remember that a second hand car will have wear and tear problems but if you keep up with the serving you should have fewer problems.

Where can I buy from?

Cars are for sale everywhere you look nowadays. We have put a list together of the most common places people in UK go to buy a new or second hand car.

Dealerships – They are normally more expensive but cars will come with warranties and a full service history.

Car supermarkets – They buy in bulk and have a huge range of cars but you still may not get the exact specification you want. Most car supermarkets will give you warranties and cars normally have a full service history.

Second hand dealers – Ask your friends and family if they could recommend a local second hand dealer. With most things there are good and bad second hand dealers so try and find a reputable one.

The Internet – This is a great location to do research, find a good deal and to sort out car finance. However, you should never buy a car with out driving it first. See our tips guide for more about this.

Private sale – If you are buying from your local paper or have seen an ad in a shop window, get it checked by the AA, RAC or a mechanic you trust.

Car auctions – A very good place to go if you have good knowledge of cars and how they work.