Avoid Lemons and Scrap Metal: We've Got Some Tips for Buying Your First Car

Need help buying your first car? Don't fear.

Looking to buy your first car? Have you been trawling car sales sites and watching car yards as your parents drive by?

Buying a set of wheels can be pretty tough, even if someone a bit older is guiding you along the way. 

For starters, your first car will not likely (or even legally) be anything that's featured in a Fast & Furious movie. That was a shameless drawcard to get you here.

But it also doesn't have to be a barely-functioning lemon. To help you take this first lunge at adulting, we've got some tips from Gumtree Car's Allannah Poole, to help you on your way to owning your very own cost-effective automobile.

Broaden your (search) horizons.

While we do tend to search for cars within a few blocks of our homes, it might not always yield the best results. Allannah recommends expanding your search options to find the best value for money.

"You can find really good value first cars anywhere in the country," Allannah explains. 

"It might still save you in the long run by paying the money to travel the distance to collect it."

Practical-ness over lit-ness.

While no one wants to be caught cruising around in a squeaky, off-white bomb, Allannah cautions that buying your first car shouldn't be about all the cool features it has. It's practicality that matters at the end of the day.

"Just remember that it will be getting a lot more wear and tear than your parent's car," Allannah says.

"All the added extras may seem like a great idea at the time, but ask yourself if you really need them."

Don't break the bank or your body.

Let's be honest: the budget for your first car is probably not very high. But while you can afford to skimp on jazzy features, a safe vehicle should always be the first priority.

"It's crucial to check the number of passenger airbags and that it has an ABS braking system to drive safely on wet or windy roads," Allannah adds.

"Check with the current owner when the timing belt was last replaced. This can be a costly replacement, but definitely worth following the manufacturer's advice."

Get a car that actually works.

Along with safety comes reliability. It's important to understand the service history of the car you're interested in. If it's a bit sketchy, it's probably best to look elsewhere.

"Learn about, and question, any recurring maintenance issues and get a copy of its service history," Allannah says.

"It's also a great idea to have a mechanic check over the car before you buy."

Bonus tip: Check the VIN number.

No, it's nothing to do with Vin Diesel. A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can be searched against the government's database to ensure there are no outstanding debts or that the car hasn't been stolen.

The thing is, when you buy a used car from a private owner, any debts owed on the car are transferred to you, and if it was stolen, well, you just paid for a stolen car. Want to avoid that from happening? You'll have to pay $2 to search for it against existing records, but the peace of mind makes it absolutely worth it.

Look up your potential car on the Personal Properties Security Register now.

Header Image: Universal Pictures