September is one of the busiest times of the year for buying a new car.

Buying a vehicle face-to-face or online through a dealership or independent garage offers you the most protection with the least risk.

Also, by opting to purchase from a retailer, you are fully covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which came into force last October.

It’s all well and good reading reviews, and seeing what an expert thinks of a certain model.

However, the only way to really find out if a car is right, is to get behind the wheel and to see how it performs.

Taking it for a test-run also allows you to get a feel for how it will fit in with your lifestyle and daily commitments, and help determine the specification and the space that you and your family may need.

A vehicle’s warranty can vary in length depending on the brand.

There is the common misconception that the warranty policy can be invalidated if a car is serviced outside of the dealer network. If a garage follows the manufacturer’s prescribed servicing schedule and uses
genuine parts during the work, this will not be the case thanks to existing European Block Exemption laws.

For added peace of mind, check to see whether the warranty provider is subscribed to a Code of Practice such as that offered by Motor Codes, and if the retailer is signed up to a recognised Service and Repair Code when it comes to doing any maintenance work.

If you have purchased the car from a franchise dealership with a fixed price service plan, then you must take it back to one of the brand’s participating dealers for servicing throughout the duration of the agreement.

Choosing a car is often an exciting time, and it’s therefore easy to get carried away when seeing new models in the showroom.

Remember, it’s not only about being able to buy the car, but equally significant are the longer term costs for running it.

Look at the figures for fuel consumption, the insurance group, road tax (for cars emitting above 100g/km CO2), servicing and parts.

Finance agreements are now the most popular way of buying a vehicle, and you should consider affordability both in the short and long term, as circumstances may change, and payments could become harder to make.

Bill Fennell, Managing Director of Motor Codes, said: “For many, a car is often the second biggest purchase after a property.

As with any big commitment, motorists should avoid rushing any decisions.

They should instead take the time to read up and ensure that it meets their long-term requirements and finances, and make a concerted effort to examine the small print to avoid any repercussions at a later date.”

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.