Choosing a used car that fits your needs

If you’re looking to buy your first ever car, and haven’t had any experience with car ownership in the past, it is always best to start with something small and easy to maintain. In this department, small hatchbacks from Maruti Suzuki, Tata and Hyundai fit the bill perfectly. These will let you experience just what exactly car ownership is all about, and will prepare you for buying your next, hopefully your dream, car.

Apart from that, the factors to consider are the usual ones. If your daily commute is quite a lot – somewhere in the region of 50km, then a diesel engine would prove more economical in the long run. But remember, a diesel engine that has clocked six-figure kilometres is going to be worse for the wear as compared to a petrol engine with the same number of kilometres under its belt.

The number of people who will occupy the car for a majority of the time also plays a vital role in deciding what kind of used car you want to buy. If you need to carry four to five people often, then you can look at a large hatchback such as the Skoda Fabia, the Hyundai i20 or the Honda Jazz. Else most sedans should suit you just fine. If it’s more than five people you want carry, then MPVs are something you can look at, like the Toyota Innova or the Mahindra Xylo. These MPVs are also a good choice if you plan on doing a lot of intercity driving with your family.

One very good thing about buying used cars is the fact that the car you’ve always dreamed of buying, but which was out of reach thanks to its price, is that much closer to attain. Be it a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW, if you find one in good nick and at a price that fits in your budget, you can make your dream a reality.