Buying your teen’s first car? 3 Tip to Keep in Mind

If you have a teenage driver in the family, then there might come a point where they’ll want their own car. It’s a major milestone that many teenagers and young adults look forward to.

There are more than a few reasons for this, such as the freedom and independence it brings. That doesn’t mean you should get them a car straight away.

Instead, you’ll have to consider a few things before buying your teen’s first car. You can help your teenager in multiple ways, regardless of whether you’re the one paying for it.

If it’s the first time you’ve helped a teenager buy their first car, you mightn’t know what to do. You should focus on a few things in particular.

What To Consider When Buying Your Teen’s First Car

New Vs. Old

One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make when buying your teen’s first car is whether you should get an old one or a new one. Both options have their pros and cons.

Many people choose to opt for a second-hand vehicle for a teen’s first car. These are typically much more affordable. As a result, your teen might be able to buy it themselves if they have a part-time job.

These vehicles will need more repairs and maintenance over time, however. They’re also more likely to break down. While new cars are more expensive, they shouldn’t come with these issues.

Potential For Accidents & Offences

New drivers are often seen as the most likely to be involved in car accidents. In many cases, they’re also likely to commit car-related offences.

While many of these could be accidental, they’re still a risk. You’ll need to be prepared for them, regardless of how safe a driver your teen is.

Having a car accident or traffic offences lawyer on hand could be recommended. Though it’s unlikely that your teen will need them, you might want to be prepared if they do.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Keep Extra Costs In Mind

The price of the car isn’t the only cost that needs to be kept in mind. If you already own a vehicle, you’ll already know all about this.

You’ll need to go through these with your child when buying your teen’s first car. The most notable ones to walk them through are:

• Insurance
• Registration and Taxes
• Gas
• Parking

They’ll need to know whether or not they can afford this. Helping them put together a budget for this can be recommended.

Buying Your Teen’s First Car: Wrapping Up

When you’re buying your teen’s first car, it’s natural to get a little overwhelmed. It can be an emotional experience for you and them.

You’ll need to make sure that they get the right option. Multiple factors will affect this. They’ll often want something fancy and expensive, but might have to settle for less.

Though that could lead to arguments, it’ll be the best decision going forward. Keeping that, alongside the tips above, in mind will help make the process go much smoother.