Regardless of the car you opt to purchase, there are some important things to check when you buy a new car. Certainly the process is not as risky as buying a second hand car, but do not let that lull you into a false sense of security.

Buying a new car is an exciting time. If you have made sure that your finances are in good order (for example by taking advantage of 0% interest credit cards and ensuring you have not missed any repayments on your mortgage or other loans) and you have the cash in your account, then you have a wealth of different automotive options from which to choose.

Listed below are five critical things to consider when buying a new vehicle.

1. How will you pay?

If you intend to use finance to pay for the vehicle then you need to consider your options. The dealership may offer their own financial product but this is often considerably more expensive than a personal or car loan from a bank or building society. Check out what the best and cheapest option is for you to pay for the vehicle, rather than relying solely on the car dealer to approve finance, and you could save hundreds of pounds over the term of the agreement.

2. Research the running costs of your preferred vehicles

As important as the cost of buying the vehicle initially are the yearly running costs for operating the car. Given the rapid increases in road tax and fuel, these costs are now an important consideration for the motorist when judging whether a vehicle is suitable for them. Check out what insurance group your vehicle is in and obtain insurance quotations for your vehicle to see what that monthly or annual cost is.

Also, check out the stated fuel economy of a potential purchase, remembering that what you may actually achieve in the vehicle when driving could be considerably less, especially if you do a lot of driving in towns and cities. In addition you need to learn what band of road tax the vehicle falls under (chiefly due to its emissions) and take that cost into consideration too.

3. Look for the best offers to entice you to buy

Car dealerships seem to have a different offer for their new cars almost every week, so it is wise to take advantage of them. By keeping an open mind to what vehicle you may buy, you can often find a deal where insurance, road tax and several years servicing is included in the initial cost of a new car.

If your preferred car dealer isn’t offering you a similar deal, then do not be afraid to ask why that is, especially if another dealership in the locality has an offer that you like. Don’t be afraid to walk away if a dealer is not offering you a deal better than you can get elsewhere.

4. Check the warranty

A good warranty is vital for a new car. While it is less likely a new car will develop a fault compared to a second hand vehicle, it does happen and it is important to know how long your warranty will last(three years is the bare minimum nowadays and some companies offer warranties up to seven years), and the items that are included as part of the warranty. It is worth checking, for example, whether your warranty includes damage to tyres and small repairs to bodywork, as many do not.

5. After sales service

Another important thing to check is the level of after sales service you can expect from your dealer. Find out the price of an interim and a major service, how long it will take for them to service your car and whether you can expect a courtesy car if your vehicle is ever returned to the dealer for servicing or repair.

These five simple steps will ensure that you get the best possible deal for your new car at the best possible price and give you many years of happy motoring, with great peace of mind.