We all know that choosing a car is a big decision. There are advantages and disadvantages to investing in both new and used cars, and it’s important to weigh them up to get the decision right. Buying a used vehicle will be kinder to your wallet, but a new car will have less wear-and-tear. There are lots of other things to consider before handing over your cash, so we’re going to look at the pros and cons of new versus old to help you choose the best vehicle.

New

When it comes to buying new, you know you can add whatever bells and whistles you like to get your car just the way you want it. You can also forget about any unknown history, as there won’t be any. A new car will have been built with more advanced technology to make it much more fuel efficient and safe for the driver. Plus, like with the rest of your new car, your warranty is untouched – which is great if something happens to go wrong.

However, there are still downsides to opting for new. One of the biggest is that there are higher costs involved. Also, most breakdowns in modern cars are caused by electrical faults. That means you’ll find it hard to get someone to fix your vehicle at the side of the road.

Here’s a rundown of all the pros and cons of choosing this route:

Pros

·       Full warranty

·       Interest rates

·       Petrol mileage

·       Resale value

·       New car smell

Cons

·       Cost

·       Fast depreciation

·       Insurance can be expensive due to higher replacement cost

Used

Like with a new car, there are many plus points to shopping for a used vehicle. There’s a huge variety of choice, with years and years of makes and models available. On top of that, you can avoid taking the financial hit of depreciation – as some new models lose as much as 40 percent or more of their value in the first year on the road. Plus, not only will the initial purchase be cheaper, but you can also expect to pay less for things like insurance.

On the flip side, you might find that your used car will need repair work more often. It’s always a gamble, and something you won’t be able to judge until the time comes. Insurance rates can also be affected by the age of the vehicle. Regardless of which car you choose, it’s always best to do some pre-purchase research first.

Let’s take a quick recap of the pros and cons of buying a used car:

Pros

·       Cost

·       Slower depreciation

·       More variety, including classic cars and older models

·       Historical information available, such as faults and car value

·       Less upfront fees

Cons

·       Repair cost

·       Outdated technology

·       Higher interest rates

If you need more advice on buying a car or help with servicing a vehicle, take a look at our listings for reliable motor engineers and repairers today.