The Smart Girls Guide to buying a car

The Smart Girls ' Guide to buying a car, Buying a new car, or a car that is new for you, can be a minefield. Women have traditionally been vulnerable to scammers when buying cars, taking their cars for a service or anything else relating to motoring for that matter. Although we like to think that times have changed, and in the most part, they are still there to sell cars people who wait for an innocent looking female to trot through the door. This applies to men too, so don't be offended! On Cover Girl car insurance we want you the best deal, cheap insurance and, above all, a great car. So, we have collected a concise guide to what can be one of the most expensive purchases you'll have to make.

The first thing you should do is decide whether you want a new or used car. You probably have a brand and model in mind already, so it's best to do as much research as possible in the car. You can look in the trade guides and on the internet for some ideas on the production and engineering of your desired car. If you go to the dealer armed with this information than you will know what to look for and will know about the parts of the car that are particularly expensive to replace. While doing your research, you can also look out for any common problems with your car. For example, certain vehicles have notoriously bad elektra and you might be left that a large repair bill to make them pay.

So what is the best bet, new or used?

Buying a new car

Buying a new car gives you the peace of mind that your car is not saved from an accident and "cut and close ' (more on this later). Plus you don't have to worry about the service history and recurring problems.

If you decide to buy a new car then you have three options. You can buy from a broker or dealer, by personal imports from Europe. There are pros and cons to each option so you need a good look at each to decide what is best for you. The benefits and pitfalls of each are as follows:

Dealership: many dealers offer cheap financing schemes with frequent special offers, you can take the car for a test drive and you can also trade in your existing car. This is often a more expensive option, so it's worth it to look around.

Broker: it is often cheaper to buy through a broker and relatively easy to organize. You may not be able to trade your car in

Personal imports from Europe: cheaper in most cases. However, this is not the easiest way to buy a car. You'll have to put in a great deal of work.

What should you check when you collect your car

We recommend you to check over your new car before you drive off the forecourt. There are a few important things to check:

o a copy of the dealers that you pre-delivery inspection took shape

o verify that all lamps, electra, sound systems, alarms, door locks and wipers work

o check for scratches and verify there is no damage on the inside

o verify that you have the spare wheel and any tools that are supposed to come with the car got

o make sure you got the manual and maintenance book

Buying a used car

If you have a used car to buy there are a few more pitfalls to look out for, but you can bag yourself a bargain if you look in the right place. It can also be very nice to decide whether your a sexy classic as an Alfa Romeo Spider or a bargain to run around like a Ford Ka. Whether you choose to buy from a dealer or on the private market that you need to see the history of the car. This is really important. You can buy from a franchise dealer, a used car dealer or private. Here are some of the benefits of buying of each:

Franchise dealer: one of the safest places to buy a car. You get a good choice of a franchise. You can get used or almost new cars. A franchise dealer also would know, the entire history of the car. They will also provide you with a warranty, so if something goes wrong you can back and they will fix it.

Second-hand car dealer: they will usually have verified that there are no bad history or outstanding finance. Most dealers have an excellent reputation, but you need to exercise some caution and again, do your own research about the type of car that you have chosen. You will in any case a 3 months warranty usually to get a used car dealer. But check to see what it covers. Service articles such as tyres, exhausts and brake pads are usually not covered.

Private purchase: best place for an excellent bargain. (D)