How to buy a car

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Buying a car through hire purchase

Car hire purchase (HP) is a car finance plan. After paying a relatively low deposit, you hire your car with the option to buy it by the end of the contract. Here are the facts you need to decide wheth...

The most reliable cars to own

Reliable performance is a top priority for many car buyers, whether they’re after a new or used car. Here you can find out where to go for the latest research on which cars are least likely to let y...

Deciding how to pay for a car

Using cash or savings will nearly always be the cheapest way to buy a new or used car, but isn’t possible for everyone. Before deciding whether to pay cash or to borrow, make sure you consider the f...

Leasing a car

You might not know it, but the two common ways of financing a car are personal contract hire (PCH) and personal contract purchase (PCP). PCH leasing allows you to drive a new car every few years, with...

Where to buy a new car

When buying a new car, you can choose between using a car dealership or a car broker. Both have different advantages and drawbacks, so here are the facts you need to know before deciding. ...

Car tax bands explained

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), but commonly called car tax or road tax, is a big running cost with cars. It can be anything up to £1,000 or more a year, depending on how environmentally-friendly the car ...

When is the best time to buy a car?

Getting a good deal on a new or used car can depend on the time of year you buy it. Make sure you keep an eye on the calendar so you can take advantage of seasonal factors affecting the car trade and ...

Where to buy a used car

If you’ve decided to buy a used car, there are a number of ways you can go about this – some more risky than others. Read on to find out the different pros and cons of buying from a used car deale...

How to negotiate when buying a car

Anyone can and should haggle when buying a vehicle. In fact, 64% of those who tried to negotiate when buying a car were successful, with just 16% of those failing to bag a discount, according to...

Car warranties

On this page you’ll find key facts about the manufacturer’s warranty you get with a new car. We also explain used car warranties, with a checklist to help you avoid the expense and disappointment ...

How to test drive and check a new car

Choosing a new car is exciting, but it’s important not to get carried away. Before reaching a decision, always test drive the car to make sure it feels right for you and your driving needs. Read our...

Car finance explained

Finding just the right car can be a challenge, and part of that challenge is deciding how to pay for it. We can help make that challenge easier by walking you through the available payment options to ...

Car depreciation explained

The value of a new car can fall at an alarming rate, although this varies across manufacturers and models. Make sure you know the facts about depreciation then use our simple calculator to find out ho...

Best way to finance buying a car

Buying a car is no simple decision. From buying outright to buying a car on finance, there are many options. You also have to consider running costs. In fact, it’s probably the second most expe...

Buying a car through a personal loan

If you need finance to buy your car, a personal loan from a bank or building society is likely to be the cheapest way of borrowing the money. But remember to look into the pros and cons of personal lo...

The safest cars to drive

Not surprisingly, safety is a major concern for most car buyers. Here we show which cars were the best in class’ models in the 2017 Euro NCAP safety tests. You can also check whether the car you hav...

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