Buying advice

New Cars vs Used Cars: Which is Better?

There’s nothing like a new car smell. Then again, there’s nothing like the feeling of driving a bargain set of gorgeous wheels either. When it comes to car buying, the new or used car question is the first you need to answer.

By
23 May 2022

Whether you are a car lover or simply see them as a convenient form of transport, buying a car is an exciting prospect. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning to drive a new, fresh from production vehicle or find yourself your dream among the used cars out there, there’s a lot to consider. Clearing the first hurdle is essential, should you buy a new car or go for a used car?

The truth is, there are pros and cons to each option. Only you can decide which is the right choice for you. After thinking about the advantages and the downsides, you’ll need to figure out which camp you’re in. There’s no need to worry though, it’s not a lifetime decision – you can always change when it comes time to replace the car you’ve bought.

The upside of buying a new car

New cars have a lot to offer. The latest trims, styling and tech will be yours to enjoy before anyone else. Then there’s the unique new car smell. Sure, you can buy that in an air freshener but it’s not quite the same as the real deal.

When you buy a new car, you’ll be the first owner. There’s no need to worry about HPI checks, the quality of tyres or whether the oil was always changed on time. And there’s something nice about having brand new toys to play with. Discovering the perks, enjoying something that was made just for you – it’s hard to beat that feeling.

New cars are made to your exact specifications. When you order a new car, you choose the trim level, the colour, the equipment, the wheels, extra accessories  – the whole she-bang! It’s a little like designing your own shoes or planning a kitchen. You know what you are getting because you had a say in how it got put together.

New cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty too. That means, if any issues arise, they should be covered. On top of the warranty, you’ll have a blissful three years of no worrying about passing an MOT. You’ll still need to take your baby for regular servicing if you want to keep her ship shape, but they shouldn’t cost the earth.

Chances are, you will get better fuel efficiency or battery range, if you go electric, from a new car than a used car. This is because technology keeps advancing and government regulations on emissions are becoming stricter. So engines are getting more efficient and more powerful in new cars.

The same goes for safety. Things like parking assist, blind-spot monitoring sensors and even tyre pressure monitoring are more likely to be found in a new car. Sure, some used cars may have these safety features, but you’ll have the latest and greatest in a new car.

The downside of buying a new car

For all of the upsides of new cars, there are definitely a few downs too. New cars will nearly always cost you more than an equivalent used car. Not only that, as soon as you register a new car in your name, it becomes a used car and loses anywhere between 10% – 25% of its value.

Over the next three years or 36,000 miles, you can expect to lose as much as 60% of the sale price. That’s even if you take good care of your new car! Sadly, it’s just the way car depreciation works.

All that picking and choosing of trims and tech means you’ll need to wait a while for your order to be put together. It could be just a few weeks, but some models – especially prestige cars taking pre-orders – can take more than a year to be ready to collect. Sweet anticipation is one thing, extra-long queues are another.

New cars may also attract bigger insurance premiums. Because they are new, replacement parts can cost more and that means insurers will be covering themselves with your premium. When it comes to the costs of a new car, it’s certainly not all beer and skittles.

Buying used cars

A used car can be just as exciting to purchase as a new car. What’s more, you won’t need to pay as much and you’ll probably be less worried about depreciation too. In fact, the biggest advantage used cars has over new ones is the cost. Not just the purchase cost, but sometimes the cost of insurance too.

There’s a really good chance you’ll get a lot more car for your money when you choose to buy used cars. You won’t be able to choose the exact spec like you can with a new one, but you can definitely find one that has all of your must-haves and a few of your like-to-haves too. Instead of ordering your spec on a form, you’ll need to do a little more leg work.

Buying a used car can be an instant purchase, which in itself can be immensely satisfying. Once you have found the car you want, there is nothing to stop you from driving it away that day.

You may find that the insurance premium is a little easier to swallow on a used car too. Being an older vehicle, insurance companies have a better idea about reliability. Plus car parts should be easier to find which should make maintenance and repairs a little less costly.

The downsides of used cars

The downside of buying a used car is mostly the effort. You’ll need to do your homework to make sure you don’t end up with a lemon. Depending on the age of the used car you buy, the manufacturer’s warranty may have passed. That means you’ll need to dig into your pocket for any issues that arise. You’ll also need to get yearly MOT checks.

Obviously, an older used car is more prone to issues than a brand new model. Even the most fastidious of owners can’t avoid wear and tear on mechanical parts. Things need to be replaced on used cars eventually. Maintenance costs are generally going to be higher for used cars.

It’s easier to get hood-winked with a used car than with a new car. For this reason, it’s worth putting in the effort and making sure you get the right checks – not just the service records but checking ownership details and making sure it’s not still under finance.

At the end of the day, there are pros and cons to buying new or used. If you like to choose the car spec, want the very latest model that’s not ever belonged to someone else, and are keen to have a car under warranty, a new car is for you. If you’re a little more cost-conscious, able to thoroughly check out a car before handing over your cash and able to shoulder maintenance costs, a used car is a great option. Why not check out a used car with us today?