5 things to do when you get a new car  

Buying a new car

Things you MUST do when getting a new car.  

Buying a new car is an exciting prospect. Getting your hands on the keys to a shiny new motor and sitting behind the wheel for the first time is a special feeling. And let’s not forget that new car smell! So, it’s not surprising that getting carried away with ourselves is easy.  

If you are looking at buying a new car, there are a few things you should really consider before taking the plunge and signing on the dotted line.   

1 – What is the long-term value of the car?  

Think about whether a brand-new car is the right option for you. Yes, sitting behind the wheel of a new car, seeing that there are only the forecourt miles on the clock, and knowing that no one else has owned this vehicle before you is an incredible feeling. However, remember that the value of your car can decrease by as much as 40% in its first year.   

2 – Choose the right car for your own circumstances  

There are many things to consider when deciding what car to buy. How much space do you need? Do you have kids? Do you have a dog? Look at the size of the boot and decide whether that holds enough room for your day-to-day life and whether you take long trips away in your car?   

Consider whether you need a 3-door or 5-door vehicle to best fit your needs. Consider the engine’s size, fuel economy, and what sort of mileage you are likely to be doing. Does your average day require you to take long trips? Or is your place of work relatively close to your home?  

3 – How are you planning to pay for your new car?  

Buying a new car is a big decision, and there are several payment options to examine. Of course, you may be able to pay for your new vehicle with cash or a credit card, but you might want to think about other ways to spread the cost. For example, it might be that you can secure a personal loan at a reasonable rate.  

Alternatively, there are other routes to financing a new vehicle; PCH schemes, Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Hire Purchase (HP) or finance. It is essential to really consider the differences between these options and understand which is the best option for you, so do your research.   

4 – Timing is key  

Obviously, a car salesperson wants to get the best price for them rather than for you; we know this. So negotiating is important, but always be polite; manners get you everywhere. However, did you know that choosing the right time of year can benefit your pocket too?   

Car dealers have targets to meet and deadlines to hit. These quarterly targets fall at the end of March, June, September and December, so a dealer is more likely to strike a deal around those times.   

Try to avoid purchasing at the weekend or around payday, they’ll see you coming, and the pound signs will follow you! Also, avoid the dates when new number plates are being issued. Dealerships are extremely busy around this time, and it is unlikely that the salespeople will not have the time to really attend to you, and you probably won’t be able to get a lower price.   

5 – Get your insurance in place  

Before you are handed the keys, you will need to make sure that you are insured to drive your new vehicle. You need to have this sorted out before becoming the car’s legal owner.  

As soon as you take ownership of your new car, it is your responsibility. Of course, you are going to take extra care of your shiny new pride and joy, but sadly you cannot control the actions of other road users and pedestrians. So if something unfortunate happens on your way home from the showroom, you must ensure that you are covered.   

Obviously, it is also illegal to be driving on public roads in the UK without insurance, so make sure you have everything in place before you sit behind the wheel.   

Can I transfer a private plate to another car?  

You don’t have to transfer a private plate to another car; it is yours to do with as you wish. But, obviously, if you have taken the time to choose your private plate, the chances are you want to transfer this over to your new vehicle.   

You don’t have to do this right away. Make sure you remove your plates from your old vehicle, and you’ll need to complete a V317 document to return to the DVLA to inform them of the change.   

You’ll find more information about transferring your private plates in the FAQ section of our website.   

Do I need to inform my insurance providers?  

You must inform your car insurer of the change in your registration number if you have purchased a private plate because they will have your original registration number on their documentation.   

Once you have let them know, they will send you new documentation to reflect the change. This may not be charged for, but some insurance companies may charge an administration fee. It is unlikely that this change will affect your insurance premium.   

New car, new plates  

So now you’ve decided to buy a new car, how about new personalised plates to complement it? Reg Plates has a massive catalogue of plates available, so look at our number plate search to find the perfect one for your new pride and joy.