Buying your first vehicle is a big milestone and finding the right car can be difficult. But a car search doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming, you just need to know how to find a dream car.

Below are helpful tips to help you find the ideal vehicle you’re looking for.

Do your research

If you’re looking to find your dream car, you need to look around and do your research. It would be helpful to read through car sites, magazines or newspapers with motoring news. The right sites will give you the latest car news and reviews to help you choose the perfect car for yourself.

What type of vehicle do you need?

Before going to a car dealership it would be helpful if you know what type of car you should buy. You should think about where you will be driving your vehicle, how often you will be driving and which car features you need. If you enjoy going on long distance trips then it would be best to choose a car that’s designed especially for that.

If you’re a person who doesn’t like going out much and will only use it when running errands, going to work or school then find a car should be easier. When buying a car you should think about your family or the people in your life. Even though this is your car, if you’re going to be transporting people around it would be best to buy a four-door car.

Create a budget for yourself

As a car buyer, it is important for you to have a budget and know how much you can afford. Most South Africans can’t afford to buy a vehicle without receiving finance from a financial service provider. Even if you’re planning on getting finance, it is good for you to have some money saved up as a deposit.

A deposit is always a good idea as it lowers your interest rates and the amount you owe. While doing your budget you should calculate how much you’re going to pay on a monthly basis to your lender so that you don’t find yourself in debt.

Make sure that your vehicle expenses fit into your budget and still leave you with money. Vehicle expenses aren’t only your monthly repayments, but rather includes petrol, maintenance, insurance, and emergency costs.

Get Finance

Before going to a trusted dealership, it would be advisable to get pre-approved for finance. Once your loan application is successful then you can go vehicle shopping. Having your loan approved can also give you an idea of which cars you can afford. Many lenders have financial calculators on their websites that will give you an estimate of how much you’re going to pay per month. You should look around on the internet for special deals and calculate how much you would need to pay.

Pre-owned or brand new?

You can go meet the dealership once you have been pre-approved for finance, which is where you’re going to decide whether you are looking for a pre-owned or brand new vehicle. There are plenty of used cars for sale which is in perfect working condition. If you are on a tight budget the pre-owned is what you need. If you are looking for a used car that’s in perfect condition you can find plenty of options on the internet.

There is a plethora of second-hand vehicle for sale in South Africa – all you have to do is find a vehicle which is in good working condition and which suits your needs. At times it can be better to buy from a dealership compared to a private sale, as the chances of you getting a vehicle in bad condition are higher when car shopping independently.

Do a thorough inspection

Before you put money the table make sure you do a thorough inspection.  A vehicle inspection isn’t only checking that you have a functioning steering wheel, more so when buying a second-hand vehicle.

It’s essential that you take a mechanic or someone who knows more about vehicles and take the vehicle for a test drive. When you go on the test drive be sure to listen attentively to make sure there are no unusual sounds. Make sure you ask to see a full-service history report before buying a car.

Insure your vehicle

Car insurance is extremely important. Some people often don’t think car insurance is important but it is. There are so many things that happen on our roads each and every single day, you can get hijacked or get into an accident and that’s why you need to be insured.

Repairing a car is very expensive and the costs can be crippling if you aren’t covered. Before buying a second-hand car always call the insurance service provider to find out whether they will cover the insurance for that specific car.