A car is a major investment. You can end up spending huge amounts of money, not only on the vehicle itself, but on all of the running costs that come with it. Today, motorists are presented with a huge amount of choice when they come to buy a new vehicle. They might go new, or somewhere close to it, or they might look to the used market.
Why buy new?
If you want to drive a car that no-one else has owned before, then you’ll need to go new. This removes any uncertainty about the history, but it also provides you with choice when it comes to customising all of the addons to your liking. If you want a specific combination of driving assist, heated seats, and other niceties, going new is probably your best bet.
However, there are downsides to going new. The biggest one is inarguably the price – there’s a hefty premium to pay, and you’ll have to worry about depreciation. Sometimes, you may even have to wait to get exactly the car that you’re looking for.
What about pre-reg?
A pre-registered car is often as good as a new one, but it’s already been registered, and could be available at a discount. These are the cars that sit around the dealership, having been registered by the retailer. This is often done to meet quotas, and it could effectively land you a significant discount.
Why buy used?
If you buy used, then you’re avoiding the most acute depreciation, which usually takes place in the first few hours and weeks of owning the car. If you look for something that’s nearly-new, then you could end up with a car that’s not suffered much wear and tear, but which comes at a significant discount.
The used market is much broader and more varied than the new one, and consequently you’ll have more options at a greater range of prices. You’ll find reputable used dealers online, who’ll be able to sell you models from a given manufacturers at discount prices.
There’s also the option of buying a vehicle directly from its previous owner. This tends to work out slightly cheaper, as you won’t have to worry about the dealership taking a cut. However, there’s a not-insignificant amount of risk attached. You’ll need to make sure that you know what to look for, that you insist on a test drive, and that you’re taking the appropriate safety precautions.
