A first car can mean a lot of things: a taste of freedom, a milestone of growing up, the opening of new opportunities for travel and excitement… However, remembering a few tips can make your first car even more of a success.

Before You Buy

The most important thing to remember is to be careful where you’re buying your first car. While purchasing an old car to learn in may seem appealing, the fact is that with used cars, you often get what you pay for. Ask for paperwork about the car’s history, and even if you are buying your car off a friend, have a professional vet the car’s condition before putting anything to paper. A car that seems fine at first glance can carry thousands of pounds in damage under the bonnet. Ask around for advice on reputable dealerships and check specially for any certifications.

Keeping Control of Your Insurance

Car insurance is legally necessary, so you’ll probably be getting that all sorted out when you first get the car home. However, did you know you can control sky-high first time driver rates simply by the car you choose to buy? What first time buyers might not realise is that red cars and sports cars, among other attributes, invite a premium which may not be worth the enjoyment of owning them. A more money-smart way of approaching car purchasing is to do some research into which insurance provider you will be using and choose a car that will offer you lower insurance rates, such as a white saloon.

Care and Maintenance

When the first time car owner gets on the road, obviously most of what they’re thinking is going to be based around “10 o’clock and 2 o’clock” and checking their mirrors. However, it’s also important to remember that what you bring inside the car can help you out of sticky situations. Besides the everyday essentials, there are a few things to make a special note to take while out and about. Be sure you have interest free credit cards or other form of money on hand in case of emergencies; you never know when you might need to pay repair costs up front. It can also be a good idea to take a few auto maintenance classes and carry a tool kit in the boot of the car. After all, why wait for a tow truck when the problem is easily and cheaply fixable? And it goes without saying that the tyre in the back of the car should be kept decently inflated and maintained in case of emergencies; bring a pressure gauge to do that.

Remember: having a car for the first time should be enjoyable. Just take care in picking out a car and make sure you have your driving essentials, and you’ll be ready for anything.

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The author of this article is a part of a digital marketing agency. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.

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