New year, new car

The start of the year may have you enthused to roll out some new resolutions. For some this may mean getting to the gym or finally learning to cook. Parents may be considering a car purchase for their children, who will now be travelling to university or work.

You may be looking to buy a vehicle for yourself, and preparing the documentation needed for registration. But before you commit to a vehicle, the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) sets forth some information to consider.

Do your homework first

The AA says, “Before making a decision on a new or used vehicle, buyers must do thorough homework on the make and model. Remember to factor in registration and license fees, and, importantly, the maintenance costs attached to the model and make.”

The holidays may have afforded you time to browse car-sales websites and showroom floors. “This is a good first step in narrowing down the options,” says the AA, “but buyers must be careful not to place appearances and ‘optional extras’ above more important features such as safety, fuel consumption, and maintenance costs.

“A car for a student doesn’t need off-road capabilities, nor does it need racetrack-worthy speed. Be practical about the vehicle you are buying, and think about who will be driving it. A car with a solid safety rating is a better option for a student than a car that has many optional extras, but doesn’t optimise safety,” says the AA.

What should you be looking for when buying a car?

The AA says buyers of both new and used vehicles should do the following:

• Create a budget, and stick to it.
• Check the safety options available and, if possible, the vehicle’s safety rating.
• Consider a safe demo model or used vehicle, rather than an unsafe newer vehicle.
• Check the fuel consumption. Fuel prices are continually on the rise.
• Consider future maintenance and service costs, including the cost of consumables such as tyres and brake pads.
• In the case of a used vehicle, check the service history.
• Ensure the vehicle is suitable for the intended purpose.
• Consider the resale value of the vehicle. Keeping it well maintained, both aesthetically and mechanically, will ensure that it retains its value.
• Factor in the cost of insurance.

Inexperienced and older drivers should also consider the following:

• The accessibility of the vehicle, i.e., ease of entry and exit.
• Driver aids, such as parking assistance or rear-view cameras.
• Safety features such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and airbags.

“As our country’s road fatality statistics increase, it’s important that motorists not only consider their driving behaviour, but also the safety of the vehicle they’re driving,” the AA says.