As we head into summer, there seems to be a bit of a light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel. While we are far from out of the woods, people are starting to get moving again and for some, that means a new car. Whether this is your first car, or you’re simply investing in a new motor to get yourself up and out there again, buying a brand new or even a used car in 2021 could look a little different to what you’d typically expect. From Lockdown measures to safe buying, here are our tips for buying a new or used car in 2021.

Embrace Online

When it comes to buying a new or used car, the internet can be your greatest friend. Where traditionally, a visit to a dealership or showroom was the best way to get the best deals for a new or used car, the online world could actually provide you with more deals and better prices than you’d expect. Some dealerships may offer online-only deals, while the internet also gives you access to a further reach of used vehicles, so you can pick up your dream car even if it’s not in the local area. 

Online car searches also let you do all of the comparisons of prices, features and more without having to travel from place to place seeking it all out. Having the information there in front of you gives you the opportunity to not only get a better insight into the car you’re looking to buy, but will ensure you only have to visit one or two locations at most, rather than multiple. 

Request Videos

To really secure your mind on a particular vehicle or to help you decide between them, you can request videos from the seller or dealership of the vehicle to get a better idea of what you might be buying. While videos aren’t foolproof when it comes to seeing the condition of a car, you can get a better picture of the quality and whether the vehicle is close to what has been described online. On live video, the dealer or seller can’t hide any scrapes, bumps or dents, and you can even request for the car to be started up just to be sure that it does. Once you’re happy with the condition of the car over video, you can make the journey to see the car in person with more confidence.

Visiting A Dealership

If you’re visiting a dealership to look at a brand new or approved used vehicle, it’s important to make sure you know and adhere to any Covid-19 regulations while you’re there. The dealership is more likely to have sanitised everything, including the vehicle, prior to taking it for a test drive, but you need to do your part to keep to the regulations too. For the most part, dealerships are operating as usual with a few changes, such as perspex screens, sanitising stations and similar, but each dealership will differ depending on its layout, necessities and what you’re looking to buy. 

However, you do have the added benefit that most dealerships, providing they are manufacturer dealerships, or approved by the manufacturers, are typically trustworthy and the vehicle you’re buying will come with warranties and buyer protection. It’s also important to note, however, that some dealerships and manufacturers may be facing delays, so you may have to wait longer for a brand new car than you would typically.

Buying Privately

Buying a car privately always poses it’s risks, but with Covid-19 to consider too, these risks are higher. Private sellers don’t have the legal obligation that dealerships do to sanitise the vehicle or their surroundings, so you may need to take steps to do this yourself. Wearing a mask if you take the car for a test drive protects you and anyone else in the car, and sanitising your hands and the touch points before you drive can ensure safety too. 

Outside of Covid-19, it’s important to do your research about cars, or to take someone with you to view the car who has a good idea about what is and isn’t good. Privately, you aren’t protected as much as with a dealership, and so scams are common. What’s more, there may even be slight issues that may go unseen during an initial inspection and test drive that rear their head later. 

If you do buy privately, be sure to book your vehicle in with us for a full service to ensure that the vehicle is in full working condition. In some cases, the seller may be willing to run the car through this service prior to you buying the vehicle.

For more information about buying a new car in 2021 or for tips on buying used vehicles safely, get in touch with a member of our team.