Buying a car can be one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your lifetime. For a long time it has always been this way but nowadays the purchase price of both new and used cars is higher than it has been for a long time. Coincide this with the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, buying a car may be harder than ever for some! Many drivers need a car to get around so it can be good to consider the following ways to help make your next car purchase a one that suits your budget! 

1. Part exchange your current car. 

Using your current car as a deposit for your next car is a great way to get money off your next purchase. Part exchanging is when you use the value of the car you have towards your next car. The dealer will value your current car and the valuation will be taken off the purchase price of the car or the finance deal. Part exchanging is a great way to save money on your next purchase and is a hassle-free way of getting rid of your car. 

2. Increase your credit score. 

If you need to use finance to spread the cost of your next car, it can be worth improving your credit score before you start making applications with lenders. People with low credit scores may find it harder to get approved by a car finance lender or if they do, they can face higher interest rates as they are more of a risk. Usually a lower credit score indicates an inability to stick to the rules of a credit agreement or high levels of existing debt. You should always check your credit score before applying for any form of credit or finance and make improvements where necessary. A low interest rate for car finance will help to make your deal cheaper and means you pay less interest overall. 

3. Spread the cost with finance deals. 

If you’re struggling to pay for a car with a lump sum cash payment, you may be considering using a finance deal to help spread the cost, based on your affordability. A vehicle price calculator can help you to get an idea of how much your car finance could cost, based on your monthly budget and credit situation. Personal loans tend to be the cheapest way to finance a car as they usually offer low interest rates. However, personal loans may only be offered to applicants with the highest credit scores. Both Hire Purchase and Personal Contract Purchase are also popular ways to finance a car and it can be worth finding out more about all three before making an informed decision regarding finance. 

4. Save for a deposit. 

You can make your next finance deal cheaper by putting down more money at the start of the agreement. A deposit for car finance can be required with some agreements so it’s worth keeping in mind anyway. When you out down a deposit, you are reducing the total loan amount. A smaller loan can be more affordable, can mean lower monthly payments or you could reduce the loan term to pay it off quicker. 

5. Buy a second-hand vehicle. 

There’s still a common misconception around buying a used car. Used cars are often associated with being unreliable and having to buy ne means you have to choose a 10-year-old banger. However, this is not true. The purchase price of used cars will always be lower than buying a brand-new car when comparing model for model. An easy way to save money on your car purchase is by choosing a cheaper car such as a second hand one. If you’re buying a used car, we recommend buying from a reputable dealership rather than a private seller as they will have more in place to check the history of the vehicle.