How to buy your first car

Taking emotion out of the shopping process is important any time you buy a car, but it's never more so than when you do it for the first time.

Most first time buyers have a limited budget, so making the right choice is much more important than it is when you're older and the impact of getting it wrong is lower in the overall scheme of things.

Your emotion might point to a cool European model or a tyre-frying turbocharged sports machine, but the reality is that these are more likely to become nightmares once you manage to find examples that fit within your budget.

Parts for European cars can be more expensive and cost more to fix when they break down; sports models are more likely to have been thrashed by uncaring drivers.

The logic suggests you need to look for a car that has been looked after, driven carefully, and serviced regularly, even though that choice might be a more boring choice. A small car is a good choice, it will cost less to run, it will be easier to park, and easier to drive.

Choosing an Asian brand, particularly a Japanese one, is also a good idea. While they do break down like cars from other parts of the world, the Japanese carmakers have a great record for building solid, reliable cars over the years.

When checking a car for possible purchase ask to see the car's service book, which should show when and where it has been serviced. If you're handed a blank book, walk away.

Once you've settled on a car you'd like to purchase have it inspected by a qualified mechanic. The various state motoring clubs have inspection services you can use for this purpose.

Never be temped to buy a car without a roadworthiness check. It might sometimes appear to be a cheaper way of buying a car, but you don't know what work might be needed before you can put it on the road.

Check with you state registration authorities to make sure it is not on the written-off wrecks list, or there is any outstanding finance on the car.