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Jan
Are you in the market for a new car? Then you might be trying to decide whether it’s best to buy a new or used vehicle. There are pros and cons to both, and either can be best for your situation, depending on your financial situation and what you want out of your car.
GetCarFinanceHere can find you the best car finance deals for both new and used cars. Once you’ve read the below guide and made your decision, you can apply for car finance online, or contact us to find our more.
Pros of buying a new car
There are a number of advantages to buying a new car, including around the condition and features of the car.
Reliability and warranty
One of the advantages of buying a new car is that they are typically more reliable than older, used cars. This is because they have never been used before, so they won’t have any unseen damage or broken parts.
Another advantage of buying a new car is that they will come with a full manufacturer warranty. This means that in the unlikely event that an issue does arise with the car, it will be covered by the warranty and you won’t have to pay out to get it fixed. Often a new car warranty will last from three to five years, giving you peace of mind that repairs will be covered for a while.
Latest technology and features
When you buy a new car, you’ll have access to the latest technology and features. This will include everything from advanced safety features and fuel efficiency technology to extras like a touchscreen, in-built navigation, smart entertainment system, and parking cameras.
Customisation
Another advantage of buying a new car is that you can customise it to what you want. So, you get to pick which extra features you want your car to have and can skip out on those that you don’t think you need. You can even customise the colour and interior to your personal tastes.
Maintenance
If you choose car leasing for a new vehicle, the monthly fee will often include maintenance, so you won’t have to worry about any extra costs in this area. In addition, all new cars don’t have to have their MOT for the first three years after they’ve been registered, which can also save you time and money.
Condition
Buying a new car means that you’ll be the very first owner – so you know the car will be in pristine condition. There will be no scratches to the paintwork or worn upholstery, and everything will be working exactly as it should be, with no worries about unseen damage or disrepair.
Better finance deals
Often, you can find better car finance deals on new vehicles. You can sometimes find low interest car finance and even deals with zero interest, that aren’t typically available for used cars.
Cons of buying a new car
There are also a number of downsides to buying a new car, which are mainly related to the finances.
Expensive
One of the main disadvantages of buying a new car is that they will be much more expensive than buying used. This will apply whether you’re buying a car outright or using car finance – either way, you’ll end up paying more than buying a comparable used model.
Related to this is the fact that your new car will not stay new. Over time, the condition will worsen, and you’ll get scratches on the paintwork and worn upholstery – but monthly payments will remain the same as if it was brand new.
Depreciation
Another downside of buying a new car is the depreciation of the value. Your car will decrease in value over time – the more mileage you build up, the more it will depreciate. Generally, a new car will lose most of its value in the first few years of driving and we’ve all heard about how a new car depreciates in value as soon as you drive it off the car lot. So, you’ll be unlikely to ever make the same money from selling it as you paid for it.
Insurance
Often, a new car will have higher insurance premiums than a used car. This is because a new car is worth more, and so will be more costly to repair and replace for the insurer. Your insurance costs will depend on the make and model, as well as extra features you may have chosen, but generally, a new car will be more expensive to insure than a comparable used model.
Waiting time
Another disadvantage of buying a new car is that it can often take weeks or even months for your new car to arrive. The amount of time it takes can be lengthened depending on your customisation choices, such as getting extra features installed. In comparison, you can usually drive way in a used car on the day that you purchase it.
Pros of buying a used car
There are a number of advantages of buying a used car, primarily around the finances.
Cheaper to buy
One of the main advantages of buying a used car is that they are typically cheaper to buy than new cars. This is particularly true for older models which have already passed their initial period of high depreciation. Lower costs for used cars will generally apply whether you’re buying outright or if you’re using car finance.
Cheaper to insure
Another advantage of buying a used car is that they are often cheaper to insure than a new car. This is because the value is typically lower, so it will cost the insurer less to repair or replace it.
Warranties available
Used cars can often come with their own warranties, especially if you’re buying a certified pre-owned car from a dealership. This warranty might not be as extensive as those that come with brand new cars, but they can often cover some of the more expensive parts, which can ease your finances if things go wrong.
Less depreciation
A big advantage of buying a used car is that they will depreciate less. So, when it comes to selling the car on, you could find that you’re able to make a lot of your money back on it.
Minimal waiting time
When you buy a used car, you won’t have to wait for it to be manufactured. Your used car will already be ready to go, so you can drive away in it as soon as you complete the purchase, unlike a new car that can take weeks to be delivered.
Cons of buying a used car
There are also a few downsides to buying a used car, generally around the condition and reliability of the vehicle.
Less reliable
A used car will be less reliable than a new car. Because it has already been driven, the parts will start to wear, which will eventually lead to things breaking and/or expiring and needing replacing. You could find that you’ll end up paying more for general maintenance and repairs than you would with a new car, especially as older used cars typically don’t come with any warranty.
Depending on the age and condition of the used car, you could find that it comes to the end of its life quicker, meaning you’ll need to buy a replacement vehicle sooner than you would if you had bought a new car.
No customisation
With used cars, you won’t have the option to choose the specifications and extra features. You’ll get what you buy, as the car is now. Of course, you may have the option to add extra features after you have bought it, but this can be costly.
Safety
The safety level of cars is assessed by Euro NCAP, with stars awarded out of five for how safe the vehicle is. These tests are regularly updated to become more thorough, so a car that had a high safety rating when it was first manufactured may have a lower rating if it was tested today. Sometimes, buying a new car with the most up-to-date safety assessment and features can be the best way of assuring you have the safest vehicle.
Is it best to buy a new or used car?
Whether you buy a new or used car will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. If you would prefer to pay less for your car, a used car may be better for you. However, if you’re happy to pay more and aren’t worried about depreciation of the vehicle value, a new car will give you access to the best safety and technology features.
Take a look at our showroom to see which cars we have available and the car finance options we can offer.