Should I buy a new or used car?

The decision about whether to opt for a brand new vehicle or a quality used car isn’t always purely about the cost difference involved. There are various benefits for both options, depending on your requirements for your next vehicle and a host of other factors. This guide aims to present the facts and help you decide on the ideal next car for your needs.

The benefits of a buying brand new car

If you are considering a brand new vehicle, there are a number of different benefits that you won’t get if you purchase another way. These include:

• The ability to choose the exact colour, specification, customisations and extras you want for your new car
• The latest technology and features will be included
• You get the full warranty
• You often get an attractive deal if using finance

The benefits of buying a nearly new car

If you’re after the peace of mind of a new vehicle, but are happy to perhaps make some concessions about things like extras or interior spec, a pre-registered vehicle (often just called pre-reg) might be a good option for you. They are usually used as demonstration vehicles before being sold, so often just have delivery miles on the clock, but are usually registered a few months before going on general sale. You won’t be the first owner on the car’s paperwork, but to all intents and purposes, the vehicle is essentially new and won’t have any of the wear and tear you’d expect from a used car that has been driven by someone else before you buy it. You can often make big savings when purchasing a pre-reg car from an approved retailer, especially as pre-reg cars often have many of the additional extras already included because they are ex-demo models.

You will also get the benefit of the remaining term of the warranty and won’t have to wait weeks for delivery as you can do with a brand new vehicle. You can usually drive a pre-reg car away either on the day or within a couple of working days.

The benefits of buying an approved used car

An approved used car is one that has been checked and tested by manufactuer-specific mechanics and you can buy this type of car through a trusted retailer like Hatfields. There will usually be a service history and other details about maintenance so that you can be assured that there are no unexpected surprises and you will also have the peace of mind of a manufacturer’s warranty with your approved used car.

If you’ve made up your mind about whether you’re after a new, nearly new or approved used vehicle for your next car, you might want to consider the engine or power type that you’re after. Should you choose a petrol, diesel, hybrid or a full electric car? Find out more.