Four things to consider when buying your next family car.

If you have a growing family, it might be time to purchase a new car. After all, you will need something that will safely accommodate everybody, and the car you buy would also come in useful. We are thinking of the road trips we could take during the summer, for example, and the school runs that will require a car to fit all of your children. 

So, if now is the time to buy a new family car, here are some of the things you need to consider.

#1: The expense

Buying a car doesn’t have to put a major dent in your family finances. You could buy a recent model on finance so it’s worth shopping around for a good deal. And you could do the same when looking at used cars, with the added bonus that slightly older cars will be less expensive to buy. So, be sure to budget for the car before heading to the showroom and consider the other needs of your family before splashing out on a new vehicle.

#2: The size

This is a no-brainer as you will need something that accommodates all of your family members. It will need to have seatbelts for everybody, and if you have younger children, you will need space for booster seats too. Of course, size doesn’t have to equate to the number of children you have. It can also relate to the size of each individual as comfort has to be a factor. You will have fewer complaints from your children when everybody is comfortably settled, so perhaps take your family with you when test driving the cars you’re interested in. 

#3: Safety

Newer cars are fitted with safety features, so you should definitely consider these when buying a family car. Back-up cameras, blind-spot warning systems, and automatic emergency braking systems are just a few of the technologies that will keep you and your family safe when you’re on the road. You should also consider the state of the car itself. The last thing you want to do is purchase something that will break down minutes after buying it, so perhaps get a mechanic to give the car a once-over before parting with your cash. You should give it a good test drive too, as this can alert you to any problems. Additionally, once you’ve purchased your car, regular maintenance is key to keeping it in top condition. At Horizon Auto Centre, you can schedule an oil change to ensure your engine runs smoothly and efficiently, extending the life of your vehicle and preventing costly repairs down the line.

Of course, part of safety is to make sure that you have a contingency plan for if something does go wrong. Opting for full-cover comprehensive car insurance deals can potentially furnish you with a new vehicle should yours be inoperable or in need of repairs. On top of that, keeping the contact number of a reliable car accident lawyer is wise.

#4: Child-Friendly Features

Firstly, think about entertainment. Some cars have built-in DVD players so this is something you might want to consider if you don’t want to play I-Spy for the duration of your car journeys. Then think about the seats at the back of the car. You want upholstery that is easy to clean down, especially if your children are prone to making a mess. You will make your life easier with features such as these so factor them into your decision-making process. 

You don’t want to waste money when buying your next car so consider each of the points we made to ensure you make a wise and sensible decision!