Buying a new car

All you need to know about buying new - from car configurators to test drives and what happens at the dealership

Advice 8 months ago

How can Auto Trader’s model overview pages help you?

When you’re looking for a new car, a good place to start is one of our model pages – and there’s one for every new car on sale in the UK.

Advice 8 months ago

How to use Auto Trader’s expert reviews

If you’re looking to learn everything there is to know about a particular car, Auto Trader’s Expert Reviews are the perfect place to start.

Advice 8 months ago

Should I buy a new, nearly new or used car?

Our research has shown many car buyers don’t worry about whether they want a new or a used car, all they’re concerned with is getting their next car. So, what are the pros and cons of new, nearly new and used cars?

Advice 8 months ago

How to use Auto Trader’s Owner Reviews

Looked at alongside Auto Trader’s Expert Reviews, our collection of thousands of Owner Reviews will give you the complete picture of what any car you might be interested in is like to live with.

Advice 9 months ago

How to choose a good car retailer

When you’re researching your next car, don’t just think about what to buy, think about where to buy it as well.

Best Of 11 months ago

Best first cars: Cheap new cars to insure

Whether you’re after a stylish city car or something a little more spacious, the cost of insurance shouldn’t stop you from getting what you want.

Advice 11 months ago

Should I buy a pre-registered car?

If you’re looking for a bargain, a pre-reg car can be a good way to get a great deal.

Advice 1 year ago

Should I buy a hydrogen car?

There’s no secret that hydrogen-powered cars are being developed, but how do they work, what are their pros and cons, and should you consider one as your next car?

Advice 1 year ago

Which car fuel will work best for your next new car?

Most buyers will be deciding between petrol and diesel engines, but a hybrid or an electric car could suit some people who don't even realise it.

Advice 1 year ago

Top 5 family car-buying tips

Here are Auto Trader's Top 5 Tips on how to choose your perfect family car.

Advice 1 year ago

New regulations to control sale of add-on GAP Insurance

From September 1st 2015, new regulations from the Financial Conduct Authority will make it easier for car buyers to shop around to buy GAP insurance.

Advice 2 years ago

How can codes of practice help a car buyer?

If a dealer won’t look favourably on your complaint, but is a member of a trade body, it can be worth talking to that body. They may be able to either help you or act as mediators.

Advice 2 years ago

How do you complain if there's a problem when buying a car?

If you want to make a complaint, the most important things to note are that you have to be reasonable and there must be a fault – you can’t just change your mind.

Advice 2 years ago

How can I be sure I’m getting the right price for my part-exchange?

Get the best possible deal by securing the right valuation for the car you're trading in.

Advice 2 years ago

Should I take out an extended warranty?

When the new-car warranty on your car expires, you have several options if you want to continue with cover.

Advice 2 years ago

How to spot and avoid clocked, stolen or unsafe cars

Buying a used car should be an exciting experience. To make sure it is, follow our tips below to avoid buying a car that has a hidden past, turns out be stolen or is illegal

Advice 2 years ago

Top tips to stay safe online when buying a car

Buying a vehicle can be a safe and straightforward process, as long as you take these few simple steps to protect yourself when buying online.

Advice 2 years ago

How can I transfer a personal car registration?

If you want to move a personal plate from your current car to a new car you’re buying, it’s relatively simple.

Advice 2 years ago

How do I time the purchase of a car with the sale of my old one?

Get things wrong, and you could end up with two cars at once or, worse still, none at all.

Advice 2 years ago

What to look out for when buying a new car

Buying a new or second-hand car? Here are some things that the experts at comparethemarket.com told us you should consider before handing over your cash

Advice 2 years ago

Delivery dates

You can expect a wait for any new car you order, but how long should you expect to wait, and can you shorten the time?

Advice 2 years ago

Should I pay for Paint Protection?

Paint Protection is one of several offers a dealer may try to tempt you with when completing a deal, but is it worth signing up for?

Advice 2 years ago

Which documents do I need when I take delivery of my new car?

You can't just turn up and take your new car away; there's plenty of crucially important paperwork to take care of first

Advice 2 years ago

How do I arrange a test drive?

Online or over the phone - which is the best way to contact a dealer?

Advice 2 years ago

What is GAP Insurance?

Guaranteed Asset Protection sounds like a tempting offer, but is it worth signing up for?

Advice 2 years ago

What’s the difference between the ‘On the road’ price and the ‘list price’?

You'll pay a lot more than the Recommended Retail Price to put your new car on the road, but what are the extras you're paying for?

Advice 2 years ago

When is the best time to look for deals?

The new car market operates in cycles, and by using them to your advantage, you can get an even better deal

Advice 2 years ago

How do I know I’m paying the right price for my new car?

A little bit of work online and you can soon reassure yourself that you're getting a good deal

Advice 2 years ago

How to pay for your new car

Which is the best form of finance to use when you're buying a new car?

Advice 2 years ago

What is a Pre-delivery Inspection?

The last thing a dealer does before you accept your new car is to inspect it - but what is included? And, what happens if it reveals any problems?

Advice 2 years ago

How should I time the sale of my existing car with the delivery of my new one?

How can you avoid having two cars at once; or, worse still, none at all?

Advice 2 years ago

Where should I buy my new car?

It can seem as if there are as many places to buy a new car as there are new cars, and each has its pros and cons

Advice 2 years ago

What happens if there are delays in delivering your new car?

How to check up on the progress of your new car delivery, and what to do if there are delays

Advice 2 years ago

What do I need to do before a test drive?

From digging out your driving licence to bringing along any appropriate props to try out a car, it's important to prepare properly for a test drive

Advice 2 years ago

What documents you need, and what to check, when your new car is handed over

Never accept a car before you know it's what you ordered

Advice 2 years ago

What use are Car configurators?

With the latest online tools, you can design your dream car from the comfort of your own sofa

Advice 2 years ago

How do I test drive my next new car?

Test driving a new car is harder than it may first appear; and, in fact, there's an awful lot to more to it than just driving the car

Advice 2 years ago

Can I take an extended test drive?

There's no better way to test a car than to find out if it will fit into your life. Happily, more and more dealers will let you borrow a car for much longer than a traditional 30-minute test drive

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