You want to buy a new car, but you need to decide: new or used car? It can be a tough decision as there are great pros and cons for both new and used cars. This discussion of the pros and cons of new and used cars should help to clarify any questions you have.

First of all, let’s look at buying a new car

The Pros:

When you buy a new car, you can be quite specific in what you want in terms of the colours, features, even the amount of doors (three or five door). You can have the vehicle personalised to suit the exact car you want. You are the first owner of the vehicle, so you won’t have any questions about the vehicle’s history, or have to worry about it being a stolen car. A manufacturer’s warranty comes standard with all new cars, so any mechanical damage your car may suffer while under warranty will be taken care of. Finance deals, servicing deals and other perks like roadside assistance may be included in the buying price. You will also be exempt from having to take the car for an MOT test for the first three years, meaning you have one less thing to stress about in your busy life!

The Cons:

New cars are expensive. There’s no getting around it. Having the luxury of choosing the clour anf other features means you will pay for it. Also, the luxury of owning a never-before owned car means that as soon as you drive the car out of the dealership, a hefty amount will drop off the value of the car. The first year of ownership can decrease the value of the car greatly. You may also have to wait a while for a new car, as there can be waiting lists to receive your vehicle, especially if it is a new or popular model.

Now, let’s take a look at buying a used car

The Pros:

The financial aspect of buying a used car is probably the main reason that people like to purchase second hand. When you buy a used car, the price is far lower than a new one, for obvious reasons. This doesn’t mean that the car is not of good quality; in fact you can get some used vehicles that are almost brand new, at a far lesser cost of a new car. Also, unlike new cars, the value of your vehicle will not drop drastically as soon as you drive it, meaning that you will lose less money if you sell the car later on. In some cases, the deal can be made quickly, without a mass of paperwork. You get a far better choice of cars when you buy second hand, and you will be able to buy some models that you cannot buy new anymore.

The Cons:

When you buy a second hand car, your greatest enemy is what you do not know about the car or its history. It could have been stolen or may not have a full service history. The owner may not tell you about a major accident the car suffered. You are also less likely to get a Car Warranty on a second hand car, unless you buy it from a trustworthy dealership. You also don’t have as much choice in terms of car specification as you do with buying a new car. You can choose the make and model but colour is generally not something that you can specify unless you’re lucky.

Visit www.imperialselect.co.za for new and used cars for sale.