5 Common Mistakes Made When Purchasing a Car on Finance

Most people will need to acquire finance to purchase a car. The main thing to remember is not to borrow more than you can easily repay. People can be seduced by the sight of a gleaming new car and the talents of a creative sales person and end up signing up for a car and a loan that is beyond their means to repay. Do not be talked into buying something you can’t afford and end up being the victim of bad credit car loans as it will take some time to repair a bad credit rating.

Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when you are buying a car on finance.

Not Doing the Research

The biggest mistake you can make is to go car hunting without doing the research. There is a wealth of free information available on the internet that can guide you to make a smart car purchase. Research as much as you can. Find out what others are saying about different makes and models. Consumer advocacy bodies will usually post warnings about negative experiences. Check out blogs, forums and also websites published by roadside assistance groups. Avoid buying a lemon by doing your research online.

Letting Emotions Rules

Buying a car is exciting and it is easy to get caught up in your emotions at the sight of a shiny new car. A good car dealer will realise this and they will leverage your desires to try and convince you to buy. This is where your research comes into play. Remember what you have discovered on the internet. Be swayed by facts not by your imagination. While it’s normal to get excited about buying a car, make sure you keep that excitement well hidden from the salesperson. Be prepared to walk away from a car and you will be in a stronger position to negotiate price and to analyse if a certain car is really what you need.

Buying a New Car

A new car will depreciate in value the moment it leaves the showroom. If you buy a new car on finance you are not only making the monthly repayments, you are also losing a certain amount each month in depreciation, which can add up to a lot of money. While buying a new car may be appealing, you will save on depreciation by buying a second hand car. 

Thinking in Monthly Repayments

Car dealers will often try to talk you into a car by framing it in terms of the amount you will need to repay each month: “for only $300 a month you can have this”. Keep your focus on the purchase price and how much you are willing to pay in total. 

Buying Extras

A car dealer worth their salt will try and talk you into buying add-ons, many of which you don’t really need. They will wax lyrical about the benefits of window tinting, leather seats and an alarm system. Don’t be tricked into this.