Q&A;: First car tips

Question

Hi, I've been driving my mum's car for the last few months after getting my P-plates, and now I've got some money to buy my first car. It will be a second-hand model as I've got less than $10,000 to spend and am looking at something reliable. Can you give me some tips on what I should be looking for before I buy something?

Thanks, Angela

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Answer

First of all Angela, it's best to do some research on what type of car suits you first. But we would suggest something small and fuel efficient to start with, which also means you could get something relatively modern with some of the latest safety features such as airbags, anti-skid brakes and potentially even stability control. As for reliability, we'd also recommend looking at Japanese cars from Toyota and Mazda first but you could also pick-up a relatively new small car from Hyundai or Kia too, both of which have come a long way in terms of quality over the last decade, and you may even get a car with some factory warranty left over. As for things to look for before you buy, we'd check the basics first - like the condition of the tyres and its service record - and, once you've narrowed down your choice to two or three vehicles, have a qualified mechanic do an inspection so you have all the information you need. It might cost you a $100 or so, but could save you in the long run.