The 5 biggest mistakes to avoid when buying a car

Buying a car is an exciting milestone that most of us look forward to right from when we first get our driver’s license (both to celebrate our newfound freedom and as a reward for overcoming the hellishness of the driver’s test), however, being able to finally buy or upgrade our own set of wheels can be a stressful experience with the potential to make what can be expensive mistakes.

Read: What kind of key costs should you consider when buying a home?

Don’t make what should be a time of celebration become a nightmare case of ‘buyer’s remorse’ because of a simple oversight.

To help you avoid making the same mistakes, we spoke to Charl Potgieter, head Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance, Personal Markets at Absa, who covered five of the most common mistakes people make:

Not doing your research beforehand

You should ideally have some idea of the type of car you want to buy (and can afford), do your research online before going to your nearest dealer. Compare different options to see where you will get the best price, and find out about the different pricing and financing terms available to you. We live in an age where we can access a flood of information at our fingertips, so take advantage of this to stay informed.

Read: Scared of being in debt? These are the debt traps you should avoid

Focusing on price at the expense of the financing terms

While price is obviously a major factor you have to consider, remember that the price tag you see isn’t what you will actually pay in the long term – with interest and other costs like maintenance and service plans. Discuss all of these factors with the dealer so that you know exactly what your monthly obligation will be, and ensure that you will be able to meet this commitment.

Purchasing used vehicles

Whilst you can usually get a better deal on a used vehicle, it is important that you do your research thoroughly beforehand and visit a reputable dealer. Also be sure to check if the car is still on a motor plan, and if not find out about what options are available to you and what they will cost over and above your monthly repayment. Ask what a major and minor service typically costs on your model of choice, and calculate whether it makes more sense for you to purchase a formal plan or put money aside to cover each service – but make sure that you actually put money aside each month if you choose to go that route.

Failing to consider all your options: leasing vs. buying

More South Africans are looking at leasing rather than buying because it allows them to enter a shorter contract usually at a lower rate and change their car when the contract ends. However, while that may sound appealing, remember that you will never actually own the car and don’t have anything to show for it at the end of the contract. There are also often limitations on usage of the car, including a maximum number of kilometres that you will be penalised for going over. There are, of course, pros and cons to both options, but it is important for you to weigh up what will work best for your own needs.

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Rushing into a decision

Think of any big decision you’ve made – chances are you didn’t rush into it, so the same should apply when buying a car. Don’t go into the dealership feeling like you have to walk out the proud owner of a car. This can cause panic, which puts you at a disadvantage as you may be inclined to take a deal even if it isn’t in your best interest. It may include features that you don’t actually need that drive up the price over what you budgeted for or not be the exact model you are looking for.

Ultimately, choosing to buy a car should be a happy milestone, not a miserable experience that you look back on and regret. The best way to avoid this is to borrow smartly and find options to help you cope, which research and a conversation with your financial adviser can help with to get you behind the wheel and on the road.