Exact times to AVOID filling your car up at fuel stations… you can save big as prices ‘fluctuate throughout the day’
DON'T let insurance premiums and repairs catch you out.
The cost of buying a car is not just about meeting the asking price.
You also need to sort out insurance for your motor, which can rise to eyewatering annual amounts.
Models with economical engines usually become significantly cheaper to insure than performance models.
Certain brands can only be repaired at specialist shops, so consider that before buying your new motor.
Motors with excessive mileage are less fuel-efficient
Any time you buy a car, you should always consider resale value.
If you find a model that will sell well on the used car market, that is a better money-saving investment than a model that typically struggles to drum up buyers.
Along with the make and model, check the mileage if you're trying to save money in the long term.
The experts say that the mileage is more than a number - it's an indicator of the condition of a car.
Bright and bold cars lose value faster than other colours
While it may seem like a trivial choice, picking the perfect paint job for your car impacts the resale value and general maintenance.
Lime greens, burnt oranges and sunshine yellows might speak to your personal tastes, but they are notoriously difficult to sell on the used car market.
That’s because, as a more niche choice, it’s tricky to find willing buyers, forcing you to lower the asking price or wait longer for a suitable offer.
Buy the car that best suits your day-to-day – and bin off the extra features
To save as much money as possible on your purchase, you need to think specifically about how you're actually going to be using the car rather than how you might use it.
For example, if you need a used car for commuting into a city centre office, you might be better off with a nippy three-door that costs £5,000 rather than a 4x4 on the market for £10,000.