Tips for buying your first car

Yet when faced with the reality of exorbitant car prices, they often turn to second-hand dealers to make that dream come true.

But going for the cheapest option may turn out to be an expensive investment, warned Les Mc Master, chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA).

“There’s no such thing as a cheap, luxury car. Although it may seem as if second-hand luxury cars are an offer you can’t refuse, it’s not quite as simple.”

Firstly, high-end cars have high-end mechanical parts and often have costly scheduled maintenance procedures. These pricy vehicles were not designed to have affordable service schedules, and visiting anything but the brand’s own service and repair workshops for even routine maintenance, is not often an option.

Low repair costs

“Driving a high-end car for a half or even a third of the price might be tempting, but you’re still maintaining a very expensive car,” explained Mc Master.

The repair bill when a luxury car breaks can also be sky high. While mainstream cars are designed with the need for low repair costs in mind, luxury cars are not. “Even a simple repair on a mid-range vehicle is much easier to absorb financially than the massive billable hours and expensive replacement parts when fixing a high-end car.

And let’s face it, if critical car parts break you generally have no choice but to pay up,” he said.

Fuel economy

Another key cost of ownership is the issue of fuel economy. “Unfortunately luxury cars are designed for high performance driving and are consequently often heavy on fuel.

And while the price of fuel may not be of concern to those able to purchase a new luxury vehicle, it has a big impact on someone who should be shopping for a vehicle in a lower price range.

“Don’t be fooled by gadgetry and high-tech features found in luxury vehicles. Many of these can now be found in middle- and even low-end vehicles, so it’s not an accurate notion that the expenses are worth it just because of the comforts your high-end wheels offer,” McMaster warned.

“The key is to be informed and make sure you’ve considered all the variables. Buying a well-maintained,

used car in good condition for a reasonable price is a good option. Visit your local MIWA accredited

workshop for any additional advice,” concludes Mc Master.

How to buy a used car

• Decide on your budget, considering fuel, repair, maintenance and insurance costs. And stick to it.
• Look for a model that has a good reputation for reliability and won’t lose its value too quickly. Your best bet is a three-year old used car, as a new car loses most of its value during the first two years.
• The ‘best deal’ doesn’t mean the cheapest one. Aim to find a
• well-maintained used car in good condition for a reasonable price. The rule is, if a car is priced too low there’s probably something fishy about it.
• Remember that the cost of insurance depends on the make, year and model of the car. It’s therefore wise to get insurance quotes before buying a car.
• Don’t buy a car with a high mileage. Ideally, look for something under 130 000 kms.
• Rather not buy a car that needs repairs from the outset, even if the price is low.
• Be sure to check the car’s history records. This will help eliminate vehicles with potential problems.