Among the most important reasons to own your own vehicle is that it’ll allow you to easily get to and from work. The type of vehicle you need will depend on where your workplace is relative to your home, and the hours at which you’ll be making your journey.
With that said, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider, irrespective of when and where you’re going to be working. Let’s take a look at them.
Reliability
If your car can’t be relied on to get you to work and back, then it’s going to be a source of frustration and a financial burden. Breakdowns can jeopardise your relationship with your employer, and force you to seek out other ways to get into work.
For this reason, you should look into the reputation of the car you intend to buy, and look at the experiences of other drivers. If you’re buying second-hand, look for obvious signs of damage, and for a lower mileage.
Diesel, Petrol Or Electric
If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the driver’s seat, then a diesel can often make for a more economical solution, and a more reliable one. However, petrol vehicles tend to be less polluting and therefore more tax-efficient. If you have a little more cash to spend, an electric vehicle is a real contender, with no emissions and no tax, it is definitely the greener option.
From a purely financial perspective, we should also consider the impact of clean-air zones being put up in urban areas might influence your decision. Even if you’re exempt from charges now, you might find that the rules become more stringent in the future.
Size
If you’re going to be driving solo, but still want the flexibility of being able to take passengers and packages when the need arises, then going for something mid-size is sensible. Among executives, a mid-sized car like the Audi A3 is a popular option, partly for this reason.
Depreciation
If you’re buying brand new, then depreciation will be a bigger factor – especially during the first few weeks after you make the purchase. If you pick up a used car that’s just a few days old (or ‘nearly new’) you’ll avoid this expense.
Buying Options
Motorists now enjoy a whole slew of options for buying a new car. You could look for vehicle finance, and pay for the car using a loan secured against it. Or, you could lease the car, which is a long-term rental. This way, you’ll be able to make a switch with minimal disruption, and in some cases you can end up owning the car eventually.