First Time Car Buyer Guide

Buying your first car is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming - especially if you're doing it for the first time. After all, this is probably the most expensive purchase in your life so far! 

There are several factors to consider when choosing your first car; you need to establish a budget, identify where to buy the car from, contemplate the make and model you want, and think about the running costs involved.

Firstly, we recommend making yourself a checklist of things that are important to you. For example, do you need sat-nav? Do you need an eco-friendly car? Do you need Bluetooth to make calls or listen to music? Would you benefit from parking sensors? 

Some of these questions you’ll be nodding in agreement with, and others not so much. When purchasing your first car, you will need to account for all these needs and more.

Here at Wilsons Epsom, we can help. Our first time buyer guide will answer some of your biggest questions, as well as highlighting some of the cheapest cars to insure if you’re a new driver - every penny counts! 

Determine a budget

When determining your budget, you should think about the initial cost of the car, but also take unavoidable costs into consideration such as insurance, tax, MOT and fuel consumption too.

Every car is placed into one of 50 car insurance groups based on its performance, price, safety, security and cost of repairing. The cars in the lower insurance groups will be the cheapest for you to insure, so before you narrow down a make and model you like, you should check what insurance group it sits in. By choosing a car with a small engine (less than 1.4 litres) and in insurance group 1-3, you will be able to get the cheapest insurance quotes possible.

You can also fit a 'black box' to your car, which monitors your driving performance and gives your insurer an indication of how carefully (or not!) you drive. Some new car manufacturers have developed finance options that include the cost of a new car alongside insurance, servicing and maintenance for a single monthly payment. 

Identify where to buy your car from

You've done your research and you know what car you want; now you need to decide where to buy it from. You have four main options: franchise car dealerships, used car dealerships, private sellers, or car auctions.

Private sellers often sell their cars cheaper than dealerships, but it is unlikely that they will be able to professionally inspect the car before selling it. This option can make the purchase more riskier - especially if you're a first-time buyer. Similarly, bargains can be found at car auctions, but you won't be able to test drive the vehicle or find out what condition it's in before buying it, so making a purchase here is also a gamble.

If you're a first time buyer, it is advisable to go to a large and credible used car dealer or mainstream franchise dealer, like us here at Wilsons Epsom in Surrey. We have a wide range of cars to suit your budget and needs. Whether it’s a new or used car you want, we will professionally inspect the car and have all the appropriate paperwork ready for a hassle-free purchase. Start your car search today!

The Cheapest cars to insure for new drivers

DACIA SANDERO

If you’re looking for an ideal all-rounder, then you can’t go far wrong with the Dacia Sandero. Falling into insurance group 3 for the basic model, this multi award-winning car is not only fuel-efficient for the daily commute, but has plenty of space for you and your friends too. 

Commended for its affordability, you certainly get a lot for your money with this supermini. Available in a choice of six different colours, the modern exterior paired with a chrome-finish grille will turn heads, whilst its comfortable and hard-wearing interior means you’ll enjoy every journey.

Discover the Dacia Sandero for you at Wilsons Dacia and invest in a new car without the hefty price tag. 

FIAT PANDA

The small but spirited Fiat Panda falls into insurance groups 1 and 3, depending on the engine size required. It’s a very versatile car that’s ideal for both city and country living. Fitted with smart technology, fantastic storage capabilities, and boasting impressively low fuel consumption - helping you spend less on petrol prices - it really is a clever little car. 

Equipped with excellent safety features, the Panda comes with four airbags, ABS complete with brake Assist System, and ISOFIX attachments which all come as standard. A helpful addition for new drivers is the Panda’s innovative driving assistance system called Optional City Brake Control, that alerts the driver to obstacles and automatically brakes in case of collision. 

Explore the Fiat Panda in more detail at Wilsons Fiat and book a test drive to see exactly what it has to offer.

HYUNDAI i10

It may be small, but the Hyundai i10 is full of personality, falling into insurance groups 1, 2 or 3 depending on engine size. Utterly reliable and with an enchanting new design, the i10 delivers an energetic performance time and time again so is sure to make a lasting impression. 

It’s available in three different trim levels; the S, SE Connect, and Premium models, so you’ll be sure to find one that fits with you and your lifestyle. Stand out from the crowd by opting for a striking two-tone roof to compliment the i10’s unmissable good looks. 

Here at Wilsons Hyundai, we have offers across the range and can help find the best option for you and your budget.

NISSAN MICRA

The 5th generation Nissan Micra has been directly inspired by sports cars and is a far cry from previous designs. Small but mighty, the Micra is packed with fantastic features and provides plenty of space for family and friends alike, falling into insurance group 1 for the most basic model.

With a choice of 10 different body colours, the new Nissan Micra can reflect you and your personality. Customisation isn’t just reserved for the exterior either - choose from an exclusive selection of colour tones for your seats, dashboard, and panels.

Great safety features like autonomous emergency braking and a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP gives you the reassurance you need in your first car. What's more is the Micra contains fuel-efficient engines making it affordable to run, even on a tight budget. Discover more and book a test drive at Wilsons Nissan.

RENAULT CLIO

Sleek in style and dynamic to drive, the Renault Clio boasts a myriad of features that makes it a joy to handle on the roads. Falling into insurance group 3 for the more basic model, this iconic small car can be personalised thanks to a host of customisable options to really make it your own.

Safety is paramount for Renault, so the Clio has everything covered; benefit from lane keeping assist and blind spot warning detection as standard. Get behind the wheel of a Renault Clio and experience this car first hand by taking it for a test drive. Visit Wilsons Renault to find out more. 

Ask us about car finance

Another benefit of using a franchise dealership like Wilsons of Epsom is that we can offer finance deals across our range of new and used cars. You may be fortunate enough to be in the position to pay for a car upfront, however, you could also opt for a car finance option. This means you can pay for the vehicle across a set period of months, in the same way, you would pay for a phone contract.

There are various types of car finance available to you. The most common is Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) where you can choose to put a deposit down, set several months to pay an agreed fee that is within your budget, and decide whether to pay the balloon payment at the end of the agreement to own the car or just hand it back. Visit the Car Finance section of our website to find out more. 

Visit us for a test drive

The car you've chosen may look good on paper, but does it actually drive like you’d expect it to? Whether you're buying a new or used vehicle, it's always worthwhile taking a test drive to get a good gauge of the car.

You should test drive a car for at least 10 minutes. We recommend that you drive on a variety of roads, ideally with speed limits that will allow you to get the car up to 70mph to see how it performs. During the test drive you should check any electronic features, such as the windows and wing mirrors, as well as the windscreen wipers and lights.

Do a basic used car inspection  

If purchasing a used car, it’s important to inspect it for general wear and tear. Check the bodywork for rust - looking at the wheel arches and as much of the underbelly of the car as you can. You should also check the tyres - including the spare - to see that they are road legal and won’t need replacing too soon after you make a purchase.

Don’t forget to look at the inside of the car for any upholstery issues or features that aren’t working. Most importantly, open up the bonnet and inspect the engine to see whether it has been well maintained or if it looks neglected in any way.

Explore the range of new and used cars at Wilsons Epsom

As the largest family-run new and used car supermarket in the South of England, here at Wilsons Epsom in Surrey, we offer an extensive choice of new and used cars. 

Explore our services and stock online, or pay us a visit in person. We can offer you a flexible finance plan that is tailored to your budget, helping make your car purchase more affordable.  

You can start your car search online at any time - you’re just a few steps away from many years of memorable motoring!