The Ultimate Guide to Buying a New Car
With so many different brands, models and body styles to choose from, buying a new car can seem like a daunting task. And, once you’ve chosen the right car for you, you then have to think about where to buy it, and how you’re going to pay for it. Fear not – Lloyd Motor Group are here to help you navigate your new car buying journey with our new car buying guide.
In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the steps to buying a new car, from choosing the right one for you, to financing it and taking delivery.
The New Car Buying Process: How to Buy a Car
Step 1: Determine Your Budget
Before you start browsing cars, it's crucial to determine how much you can afford to spend. Consider factors such as your monthly income, expenses, savings, and any financing options you might pursue. Remember to account for additional costs such as car tax, insurance, and ongoing maintenance, as well as how much you’ll be spending on fuel.
If it’s a brand-new car that you’re after, we offer a range of fantastic new car offers at Lloyd Motor Group, to help make purchasing your new car as affordable as possible.
A nearly new car from Lloyd Motor Group could also be a fantastic option if you're looking to keep costs down. These have only had one previous owner – us. All of these vehicles are 12 months old or less, and come with the benefits of low mileage and high specifications.
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Step 2: Research Your Options
With an ever-growing number of brands and models to choose from, finding that perfect vehicle can seem daunting. Once you have a budget in mind, research different car models that fit your needs, preferences, and budget. Consider factors such as size, fuel efficiency, features, safety ratings, and reliability. Use online resources to gather and compare information, and read reviews from our customers.
Below, we’ve listed some of the most important questions to consider, which will help you to narrow down your options when it comes to selecting the right car for you and your lifestyle.
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How many seats do you need? If you’ve got a growing family, a car with 7 seats could be one to consider. A new Discovery Sport or the Kia EV9 could be the perfect option for you.
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How big does the cabin need to be? If you need something spacious for you and your passengers, a new BMW X7, Discovery, or Kia Sportage offer amble room. We also offer a huge range of used SUVs, offering comfort and space at a more affordable price point, if buying new isn’t for you.
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How big does the boot need to be? If you need to carry large items, the Volvo XC90 offers up to 775 litres of space. If you’re after a small car for city driving, the Kia Picanto offers an excellent amount of boot space for its size (255 litres), which is more room than many other small city cars.
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How many miles do you cover? If you’re covering a lot of miles and going on long journeys, make sure you choose something comfortable for the road ahead. Vehicles such as the BMW 3 series models and Kia Niro not only offer comfort, but also excellent fuel efficiency.
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What fuel type suits you best? The fuel you want to use can make a big difference in the model you might choose. At Lloyd Motor Group, we offer a wide range of petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles. If electric is the way to go for you, we have a wide selection of electric options, like the new MINI Cooper Electric, All-Electric MINI Countryman, or the Volvo EX30. Browse our electric and hybrid vehicles from all of our manufacturers below.
Once you’ve selected the perfect model for you, you can configure it so that it matches your requirements to a tee. Or, if you want your new car as soon as possible, we also have a large selection of preconfigured new cars in stock that are ready to drive away today.
Step 3: Where to Buy a New Car
As part of your research, find the local Lloyd dealerships that sell the car model you're interested in. By purchasing from Lloyd Motor Group, you can rest assured that you're buying your brand-new car from a reputable dealership with positive reviews and a track record of excellent customer service.
At Lloyd Motor Group, we’re proud to have built ourselves an excellent reputation by providing second-to-none customer service, and have thousands of positive reviews from our customers to reflect this. With retail centres across Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, the North East and the Scottish Borders, we have a huge range of high quality new and used cars to view and test drive. Find your nearest Lloyd location below.
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Step 4: Take a Test Drive
Once you’ve narrowed down your options and have chosen a Lloyd dealership to make your purchase, it’s time to take a test drive. Driving several different models will help you to get a feel for how they handle on the road and whether they’re the right car for you in terms of comfort, performance, and features. Take your time to compare different trim levels, optional packages, and available accessories to find the perfect configuration for you.
Find your nearest Lloyd location below and take your test drive.
Step 5: How to Pay for a New Car
Once you’ve found the perfect new car for you, consider your financing options – these can include including paying cash, obtaining a personal loan from a bank, or selecting a financing option through the dealership. Shop around to compare interest rates, loan terms, and monthly payments to find the best option for your budget and financial situation.
At Lloyd Motor Group, we offer a range of different financing options to help make financing your new vehicle purchase as easy as possible. These include:
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PCP – This splits the price of the car into affordable chunks: a deposit, monthly payments, and then a final optional balloon payment. At the end of the contract, there’s 3 options: pay the balloon payment and own the car, trade the car in for a new vehicle and start a new PCP contract, or give the car back.
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HP - Pay an initial deposit, and the rest of the value of the car is paid by monthly instalments. Once you’ve made the final payment, the car is yours.
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PCH – Lease the car for an agreed period of time and making fixed monthly payments, and at the end of the contract you simply return the car.
Step 6: Taking Delivery of Your New Car
Once you’ve found your perfect car, sorted your finance and completed the paperwork, it’s time to collect the keys! Before you take ownership of the car, make sure you have also arranged your car insurance. Shop around for quotes from different insurance providers to find the best coverage options and rates for your new car.
Once everything is finalised, the dealership will provide you with the keys to your new car. Here at Lloyd Motor Group, we will complete a full and detailed vehicle handover, taking you through a final walkthrough of your new car and its features to ensure it meets your expectations. We will also be here to address any questions or concerns you might have before leaving in your brand-new car.
Step 7: Follow-Up and Maintenance
After taking delivery of your new car, follow up with the dealership to ensure everything is in order and address any issues that may arise. Here at Lloyd Motor Group, your Sales Executive will always be in touch to see how you’re getting on with your car and to make sure that everything is perfect.
If you’ve purchased a brand-new car, it won’t need an MOT until it is 3 years old. and the first service for a brand-new car should usually be scheduled for 12 months. If you’ve purchased a used car, make sure to have it serviced once a year, and make sure you book it in for its annual MOT test.
Find out more about car maintenance below.
New Car Buying Tips: How to Get a Great Deal
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If you’re part-exchanging your current car, make sure you know what it’s worth. You can get a free valuation quickly using our free valuation tool.
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Know what your budget is, and research into the various makes and models that meet your needs.
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Compare deals and offers, to make sure you choose the best one for you.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to buy a car with confidence and find the perfect brand-new vehicle to suit your needs and budget. Enjoy your new car and all of the new adventures it will bring!
New Car Offers
We always have an extensive selection of exclusive offers available at Lloyd Motor Group, to ensure that you can get behind the wheel of a vehicle you'll love.
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