Planning to get a new car? Purchasing a car is a big money decision, and deciding which one to buy can be quite confusing. You have to align your expectations with your budget, and it isn’t easy to choose from the hundreds of options made available.
Knowing exactly what to look for can help make this decision easier. Here’s a step-by-step guide and tips to help you get your checklist ready before heading out to buy your new set of wheels.
Do your research before heading to the showroom
First things first – make sure you know everything about the car you want to buy. It is not advisable to visit a car showroom without knowing what you want to buy. There are several online sources that you can use to do your research beforehand, from car comparison websites to blogs, as well as official company websites. The internet is filled with independent reviews by car enthusiasts, and you can also watch videos reviewing a particular model that you’re interested in.
Keep your budget in mind
This is the most important thing to consider as it will help you avoid overspending. After the first step your research should have helped you shortlist a few cars. So now you can do the math, and further narrow down your search based on your budget. Call or visit the dealership to know all about pricing and latest offers. If you’ve done your homework, you can even negotiate the price with the sales person which may help bring down the price a bit. As a rule, never take the first deal you’ve been offered. There’s usually room for bargaining!
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Go for a test drive
After you’ve shortlisted your favourite car which fits in your budget and has all the features you need, take it for a test drive. Reading about the car’s specifications is one thing and actually testing it on the roads is another! The manufacturing process for each provider differs, and you will be able to evaluate the driving comfort and overall on-road performance, only when you take the car for a spin. It will help you funnel out the best from the rest.
Sort out the car finance
So you’re planning to take a car loan? Once you’ve made a decision about which car to buy, the next step is to compare the different car finance options. Getting a car loan can be confusing with multiple financial institutions offering competitive rates. Typically, all banks require 20 percent down payment but this can vary depending on the type of loan. Other aspects to contemplate are minimum salary requirements, processing fees, early settlement fees and whether to opt for Islamic or conventional banking products.
Looking for car finance? Browse through over 78 car finance options from 23 different providers.
Choose your car insurance policy
In the UAE, it is mandatory to have car insurance and registration cannot be completed unless your car is insured. You must factor in the insurance premium, when calculating the overall cost of buying the car. Insurance premiums are determined based on several factors such as brand, car type, purpose and driver profile. Now you can compare and get free quotes within 60 seconds and your policy in 60 minutes from the largest online car insurance portal in the UAE.
Few more tips to keep in mind:
- To get the best car deal, buying it at the right time is most important. For example, there are several offers on cars especially during the holy month of Ramadan which is the most popular time to purchase a new car.
- When buying a new car, don’t just consider the monthly payment but the entire cost of the car. Take into account your financial situation, especially if getting a car loan since it’s commitment for a long period (usually 5 years).
- Check the manufacturing warranty, which is a contract that will highlight a wide range of repairs and services. This will allow repairs to be carried out at the authorized dealership. Speak to the dealer regarding what’s covered and what’s not.
- Other simple things to think about when shortlisting your car is the type – SUV or Sedan/saloon/coupe or pick-up truck, engine size, fuel economy and purpose of buying the vehicle.
It is mandatory to register your car with the RTA. Here are the documents required in order to register a new car:
- Original passport and copy
- Original driving license and copy
- New insurance policy
- NOC from the bank in case the car is bank-financed
