A new car can make your life on the road considerably more enjoyable, and help you to save money in the long term, too. You don’t need to spend big on something brand-new: you might look at splashing a bit of cash on a few choice accessories to bring an older vehicle up to modern standards.

When considering your would-be upgrade, you’ll want to factor in a few considerations. Since this is a major purchase, you might even elect to get a few of them down in writing.

Purpose

Before you think about anything else, you’ll want to identify why you’re upgrading. What is it that you hope to get from a replacement car that you aren’t getting from your existing one? Have your needs changed?

Do you need something that can cope with long journeys? Does it need to be easy to park in tight spaces? When thinking about all of this, you’ll want to break your priorities down.

Put the essential features under the ‘must have’ column. You might want something with extra headroom, or perhaps space in the boot. Then, you might put all of your other requests in the ‘nice to have, but not essential’ column.

Style

Most cars can be lumped into a few general categories. If you know what type of car you’re looking for, then you’ll have an easier time narrowing your options.

For example, among the more popular types of cars in the UK is the hatchback. It’s so-named thanks to the hatch-style opening mechanism of the boot. They tend to be a great match for city life.

If you’re out in the country, you might need something a bit more substantial, like an SUV. These vehicles are capable of maintaining traction even on rough terrain, so they’re great if you occasionally find yourself driving through country roads.

Many manufacturers will seek to straddle several different styles, so don’t set your preference in stone too early on in your deliberations.

Budget

You might set out your budget before you settle on the style of car you’re looking for, or you might do it the other way around. Whatever the choice, you’ll want to factor in the overall cost of the vehicle, rather than just the headline price tag.

Different fuel types mean different kinds of spending over the long term. If you’re shopping for a battery electric vehicle, for example, then you might end up spending more upfront, to break even after a certain amount of miles.

Of course, if you want to avoid depreciation, and limit the environmental impact of your purchase, it makes sense to look to the used market. Opting for a previously owned sports car rather than a new one, for example, maybe a better option for you regarding your budget. Sports cars that deem popular on the market include used Audis due to their efficiency, reliability, and detailed interior.

When you’re shopping, you should account for the age of the car, which can typically be gleaned from the second two numbers on the registration plate. Older cars tend to be cheaper!