So, you have just passed your driving test and are looking for a nice new car to show off to your mates and drive about in, but what should you be looking for in a first car?

First of all you should think about how much you can afford; this includes insurance, MOT, repairs and so on. It would be pointless to go out and throw money at a fancy car with high insurance as you simply will not be able to afford it. As a first time driver, your insurance will be extremely high anyway, and a more expensive, new car will only increase this sum further.

So really, a first time buyer will be looking at a relatively cheap, small car. The chances of an accident in your first year of driving are very high and therefore buying your ideal car straight away would definitely be a bad move. Wait until you have settled as a driver before spending big.

If you are buying a used car, which will most likely be the case there are two things you will have to do. First of all, inspect the car thoroughly. Make sure the car is in a good condition and will not break down soon after purchasing it. Secondly, take the car for a test drive. This is essential so you can get a feel of what it is like to drive the car, as well as to check whether or not everything is in working condition. Check all the gadgets too, as some used cars may not have stereos that work for example.

Finally, before you buy the car make sure you get an insurance quote on it from a company. Buying a car without knowing how much insurance you will be paying is extremely risky as you may end up paying more than anticipated. Use comparison websites to find the best deal and insure your car!

Of course there would be much more to take into account when buying your first car but these are just the basic guidelines. So be careful when you go out to buy one, and make sure you end up with a car you are comfortable with, and most of all, is safe.