What to look for when buying your teenager’s first car
Nothing is quite as shocking for a parent as realising their child is turning 18. It seems like they were a tiny newborn baby just a few short months ago. And now they’re finishing school, thinking about their future and, most importantly, learning how to drive.
It’s scary when your teenager first learns how to drive. You’re worried about their safety and, quite frankly, the safety of all the other drivers on the road. They’re not exactly experts on the road just yet. But it’s also a relief because you no longer have chauffeur them around to school, activities and social events. And that’s why you’re considering buying them their own car. But before you do that, you should know what to look for in a first car. So, to help you out, here’s some advice.
Safety first, always
Yeah, they’re going to need some safety features on their car. They’re young and they’re going to be driving late at night, so you want them to be able to lock their doors securely. This means finding a car with proper central locking that they can get in and out of easily and the locks can’t be picked. You should also look at airbags and seatbelts. Are they situated correctly? Are they fully functional? And of course, the model of the car matters when it comes to safety. Do a search online and find out which models and makes are the safest options. They’re just learning to drive so you need something that will withstand a fender bender or two. It’s not that you don’t have faith in them, it’s that they’re just starting out. They’ll get better but for now, you want a car that handle a few bruises.
Check crime stats
The truth of the matter is that cars are stolen all the time and you can’t entirely prevent that from happening. But some cars are stolen more often than others and you can avoid purchasing one of those models. Certain vehicles are attractive to thieves because they can sell the parts for instant cash. And you don’t want your teenager hijacked simply because they’re driving a car with parts that are in demand. So, take some time to check out which cars are favoured by thieves and steer clear of buying one of those. You can ask a car dealer you trust or look for articles on the topic online.
Are parts easily accessible and affordable?
Your teenager is not going to be able to afford to buy a new car until they’ve established their career years from now. Which means this car is going to need to last them for quite a lot time. And they’re going to have to maintain the vehicle, take it for services and replace parts that are no longer in working condition. That’s why it’s best you purchase a vehicle you know they can afford to fix up in the event that something should happen. So, don’t choose a vehicle that’s not being made anymore, no matter how cheap it is. Also, make sure there is a factory in the country that makes the parts so they don’t have to be shipped from overseas.
Think about your teenager’s style and personality
They’re going to have to drive the car. It will naturally become a big part of their life. And therefore it should represent some part of their personality and style. While this isn’t a big concern when it comes to looking for pre-owned cars in Gauteng or elsewhere, it should be at the back of your mind. Take them with you when you’re shopping for a car, give them a budget and see what they choose. Of course, you make the ultimate decision as you’ve probably done a lot more research and have been driving for a much longer time.
Avoid vanity number plates
Your teenager may think vanity number plates are unique and will represent their personality. They may want people to recognise them on the roads. But this is a bad idea, especially for youngsters. Mainly because they’re probably not a very good driver yet and that means they’re going to be hooted at a lot. They’d probably not enjoy being remembered in the community for not being able to park properly in a near empty parking lot or making an illegal U-turn on their way to school. So, ignore their pleas for an individualised number plate, they’ll thank you for it later.
Also read: How to insure a young driver without breaking the bank
At the end of the day, you want the safest and most reliable car for your teenager. You want something they can use for years to come without having to fork out excessive amounts of money to maintain it. Let your teenager have a say but don’t give in if they make the wrong decision.