Driving

Cars Are Expensive – How Do You Pay For Them?

Paying for a new car, whether it’s second hand or not, can get quite pricey. Even when you have a budget that you’re working well within the parameters of, you can question if forking out this much money is really worth it! After all, the car in front of you won’t last forever, and who knows if you’ll ever default on the payments?

And with all that in mind, it’s time to think about the ways to pay for a car. They’re expensive, for a variety of reasons, but there are three main financial categories you can choose from in the car world. Let’s go through them below.

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With Your Own Cash

Using your own cash is often the most pricey and financially risky way to go – you never know when you’re going to need your savings, after all, and now you’ve just used them all up. However, it’s also one of the safest ways to ensure you’ve got a car for as long as you need it – there’s no payments to default on, and you’ll never be out of your transportation thanks to the lease being revoked.

As long as you’ve got the savings to do so, you can pay by cash. You could also use your cash to put down an even bigger deposit than is actually required, which will stop you from having to pay too much in financing in the future.

Using a Scheme

There are plenty of car financing schemes out there – you just need to look for them! It all depends on fitting into certain brackets, such as being the right age, or being from the right financial background, and then applying to the right places.

For example, you could make use of the Motability scheme. This allows people who live with disabilities to retain their independence, and have some much needed transport in their lives. And these schemes are available everywhere, and for all car models, such as VW Motability. Next time you go into a dealership, be sure to ask for a specialist to guide you around the application process and what’s currently on offer.

On Finance

And finally, you can always get a car on finance, of which there are many different options to choose from. Depending on the money you have to work with, you’re not going to find a one size fits all financing solution here.

From hire purchase to conditional sales (which is the more traditional form of purchasing a car on finance) to PCP (personal contract purchase), you have quite a few variable rates to choose from here. However, be sure to do some more research into each one of these options before you sign one, as they all have their own benefits and drawbacks.

Paying for a car can be done in a variety of ways, and working out which is best for you is important to do beforehand. So, do your research, and make sure you’re getting the right deal here.

Driving

Simple Steps to Keep Your Car & Tyres Roadworthy During Lockdown

Taking car of your car and tyres
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

After impatiently waiting for lock down to get over , the UK government has prolonged the lockdown again. We know it’s a hard time to wait and is making many of us lose our patience. This is not a punishment but the government only wants our lives to be safe and that we do not get attacked by the virus.

Living in Yorkshire you might have realised that it is not doable sitting home for months. Many of us need to get out of our houses to do essential grocery or even getting medicines. To go out for such chores during this time is very risky but we can still do it with less risk by taking all precautionary and safety measures like wearing proper masks and keeping our distance.

We just not only have to make sure that we are safe but also the cars we sit in to reach our destinations are also safe and secure during this time.

No one wants to go through the hassle of car breakdown if he/she is on the street to get grocery or important medicine right now. There  are few things listed below to keep your car fit to drive in this lockdown.

Take proper care of battery

Pandemic has made all of us use our vehicles as little as possible. This eventually causes few components that give power to the car , getting corrosive or losing their power. One such component installed in the car is its battery.

At times when you are trying to start your car it shows glitches while starting. This can be due to your battery getting flat. If you are less frequently using your vehicle there is a high probability that proper electric current is not reaching the battery hence causing it to lose its power overall. To overcome such a situation you need to give your car a start twice every week for as less as 10 minutes. In this way your car battery will be getting enough charging to avoid it getting flat.

Take tyre pressures levels into account

Letting your vehicle stand for a longer period of time in the garage can cause the balanced amount of air pressure in tyres to go loose and resultantly showing signs of tyre puncture. To avoid such a situation at this point in time , you should regularly check the pressure in your tyres with proper measuring gauges.  In case you feel it has under inflated, you can use tyre pressure gauges to insert ample air pressure in them to make them roadworthy or if you think that your tyres have completely deteriorated you can replace it with quality tyre by contacting tyre garages near your location. If you are looking for a tyre replacement you can buy tyres at Ossett Tyre House website & avail branch fitting or mobile fitting on friendly prices. You can call them here too  (01924271081)

Cleaning your car inside out

At this time many of you have nothing to do and want to kill this time by doing something productive, well we have a solution for that too! You can use your free time in making sure that your vehicle is clean from any unnecessary dirt or dust particles by washing it using clean water and antibacterial detergents. This will not only make your vehicle look visually clean and spotless but also will keep it safe from entering of unwanted viruses. Check out Good Car Keeping on the step by step to deep cleaning your car

We hope that you utilise your time in making sure you follow the above precautionary steps to keep your vehicle safe. The next time you go out to get groceries you won’t be facing any car breakdowns after following the above steps.

Driving · Family

What to do After a Car Accident if You Have Been Hurt

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No one likes to contemplate car accidents regardless of their possibility to occur. However, what happens if the unthinkable occurs? What do you do at the moment when you feel confused, sick, terrified, and even suffering injuries? While car accident situations vary, there are several factors you need to have at your fingertips and implement whenever you experience an accident and get hurt. These include: 

  • Safety first: Check on all drivers and passengers involved in the crash

Your safety and health, as well as those of others involved in the accident, is the most critical thing to have in mind immediately after a crash. Therefore, if you are in a ‘good’ or ‘fair’ physical state, check on the passengers in your vehicle as well as the occupant of other vehicles for any signs of injury. 

  • Call the police

The law enforcers are your allies, hence should be the first people you call for help if you are involved in an accident. Even if the cars involved are not severely damaged, do not be talked out of calling the police by anyone. Remember, a police report is crucial when determining the party at fault in the subsequent lawsuit and making claims. 

  • Seek immediate medical attention

Car accident scenes are not the right place to be brave and make assumptions on your health and safety. Therefore, when emergency responders arrive at the scene, tell them every symptom you feel, including the ordinary headache. Never refuse or delay medical treatment as it can significantly negatively influence you in the future. Additionally, neglecting medical treatment could compromise the process of your injury claim from insurance companies. 

  • Take pictures and capture as many details of the accident as possible

Road traffic accident requires substantial evidence of what occurred to prove a case before a Court of Law. Photos, video evidence, and everything else useful at telling how the accident occurs should be taken as soon and as much as possible to prove more valuable. You can never have enough of such details as the more you have them, the more they will help you further your case.

  • Obtain witness contact information 

Sometimes, you could be lucky enough to have witnesses onsite. If they happen to be cooperative enough, ask them to detail in writing what they say and if possible, do a few video records with you regarding the same. Furthermore, request their details such as names, contact numbers, and addresses. 

  • Talk to an attorney as soon as possible

No matter what the driver(s) your were involved in an accident and the insurance company say, they are not your friends. They might sound sympathetic but will prove difficult either while at the courtroom or during making claims. Hiring a reputable attorney, such as speaking to St Louis auto accident attorneys if you are in that area, saves you the pain of having to settle for the least value of your claim.

  • Be careful of the statement you give and what you say 

While waiting for the police and emergency responders to arrive, hold your cool and avoid making statements that may work against you over time. Do not admit to any fault at the scene or be convinced to do so. Statements such as ‘I am sorry’, ‘I didn’t see you’, among others with similar suggestions can compromise your case. 

Driving

The Car Expenses That New Drivers Need To Expect

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Getting your driving license is an exhilarating feeling. You finally have the freedom to own a car and head out on the road. The sense of independence is worth the cost of owning and maintaining a car. However, you shouldn’t underestimate just how big that cost can be. The initial price of the vehicle you purchase is just the first expenditure of many. So, if you want to ensure that you’re prepared to own your very first car, these are the expenses that new drivers need to expect.

The initial purchase.

As mentioned in the introduction, the initial price of the vehicle you choose to buy is only the first cost you’re going to face. So, you need to consider the initial purchase of your chosen vehicle carefully. It’s easy to be enticed by a cheap deal, especially if it’s a new car or a model that you’ve been eyeing up for a long time. However, you need to think about the operational costs of the vehicle. How economical is the car? How many miles can it cover to the gallon? You should also do some research on a specific model of car before buying it. See how reliable it is. If repairs are going to be frequent and expensive, then it might not be a cost-effective purchase.

If you want to be fiscally responsible, you should also focus on the things that are included in the purchase. Some dealerships throw in added features with the purchase, and some don’t. You need to make sure you don’t buy a vehicle and later discover that you’re going to have to pay much more money for the features that should come as standard in modern cars. For instance, safety features and navigational features should be included in the initial purchase. Do your research before buying a car, and ask the dealer or the independent seller the right questions. It sounds obvious, but you need to know what you’re buying. A car purchase can be a very complex transaction. You want to ensure that your money is going as far as possible. You need to expect that it’s going to be a costly investment, of course, but you could save yourself a lot of money by planning ahead to ensure that your vehicle will be economical in the long run.

Coverage.

This is one of the most important expenses to get right if you want to protect yourself, your car, and your money. Unexpected things can happen when it comes to cars. They can break down without warning, or you can find yourself involved in an incident without warning. You have to be prepared for this. When making your initial car purchase, you should weigh up your insurance options before signing the contract. Use price comparison websites to ensure you’re getting the best coverage for the best price.

Of course, in the event of a road accident, you might need more than insurance to protect yourself and your assets. You might need assistance from a car accident lawyer. Whether you’re to blame for an incident on the road or not, it’s wise to seek legal protection so that you can ensure your assets are protected. Road incidents are very common, even if it’s just a matter of a minor bump or scratch. However, the expense faced as the result of such an event can be very high. So, you need to be prepared for that and get the necessary coverage to protect yourself. Even if you weren’t significantly injured in an incident, you’d probably need financial support to cover medical costs as well as repair costs for your car. That’s why you need to seek the compensation you deserve.

Servicing.

Another expense that drivers need to expect is a regular servicing cost. Or, at least, if you want to keep your vehicle operating safely and effectively, then you should expect this cost. Whilst modern cars can run reliably for longer than older cars, it’s still important to get your car serviced on an annual basis. You might only opt for a full service from time to time, but an interim service (which is less extensive) can still be costly. You can’t avoid taking your car to a specialist for servicing on a regular basis, but you can reduce the expense by looking after your vehicle. The better you get at self-maintenance, the fewer repairs and part replacements it’ll need over the years. That’s the best way to save yourself money on your car.

Driving

Top Considerations To Make When Searching For Your Next Car

When looking to buy a car, most people can find themselves standing on shaky ground. The purchase of a vehicle can, of course, come with enormous stresses, after all, it is one of the most significant investments you will ever make.

We are going to look today at some of the things you should be considering when searching for your new car.

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Affordability

When it comes to searching for your new car, making sure it’s affordable is possible one of the most important things you can do.

A new car can be one of the next most significant purchases after buying a house, so doing some research on its affordability is more than sensible.

The first thing you should look at is the cost of the car. Companies like Trade Price Cars are great when it comes to looking at finance deals. You should also be taking the other expenses of the vehicle on top of finance into consideration.

Doing some research into the economic factors of the vehicle is just as important. Knowing how much the car will cost to run weekly and the average repair costs are vital. 

Another consideration should also be the cost of tax and insurance. Getting some quotes and comparisons before you make a commitment will be essential in your car buying journey.

Reputation

Another important step when buying a vehicle is paying attention to the car you are going to buy. Most people have a general idea of the car they want, and sometimes this can be the biggest mistake. 

Going car shopping only wanting one car can often spell disaster. All is great should the vehicle you want is a fantastic feat of engineering. What if the car you want has a tripe reputation? You are then left with a new car that costs you a fortune in repair costs. 

The advisable thing to do is creating a list of possible cars that you find aesthetically pleasing. Then taking all of the vehicles from your shortlist on a test drive will certainly help you whittle down the good from the bad.

Be Prepared

Making a good deal of advanced preparations before heading out to view a car is essential. You should be armed with lists of questions and things of note to pay attention to as soon as you get there.

One of the first moves you should make, especially if the dealer knows you are coming is to feel the bonnet of the car. A smart little trick that dealers like to do is start the car and leave it running before you arrive.

By getting a car warm, the second time it starts helps to hide any issues that may be present when the car is cold.

Small things like this should fall to your attention; if something doesn’t look or feel right, there is no issue in walking away and finding the same car elsewhere.