On the Hunt for the Perfect Family Car? Here’s What to Look For

Buying a car is a big deal, no matter what financial position you’re in, and if you’re buying a family car to transport your loved ones in, there’s a whole new set of questions to ask. You want to purchase a car that is both fuel-efficient and safe that is hard-wearing and long-lasting. Those after a bargain (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?) should visit an online directory that specializes in cars for sale, like Auto Trader, to make sure they get the best deal.  For those looking to unload their current vehicle for the best deal, check out Car Brain and get instant offers from buyers!  

_{If you're vehicle isn't in optimum condition you can also use Car Junk Yards Near Me to get instant offers on your vehicle.}   

If you’re searching for a new wagon for your little ones, then here are some important things to keep a sharp eye out for. 

  1.     Car safety

If you’ve small children, especially babies, then this is probably at the top of your car-buying list. Today, new cars contain a suite of new safety features that will save thousands of lives worldwide by avoiding crashes the use of autonomous technology. Look for these new technologies in the technical specifications of any potential cars, particularly autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which will identify a road hazard such as a pedestrian stepping out in front of a car and stop the vehicle before a collision, or electronic stability control (ESC) which will autonomously stabilize the car in an accident.  You should also look for a car which contains multiple airbags, including side airbags and knee airbags. While some parents are concerned that they are dangerous for small children, side curtain airbags pose no risk to a child, provided their car seat is installed correctly (i.e. never put a rear-facing baby seat in the front if there is an active passenger airbag.)

  

   2.  Fuel economy 

In most cases, the largest expense associated with car ownership isn’t the up-front purchase but the ongoing cost of fuel. Make sure you purchase a car with a high fuel economy rating. You can ask your dealer for information about fuel consumption, or search online using a car’s make and model number. Fuel is an ongoing expense, so if you can’t choose between two different vehicles, then opt for the model with the lower fuel economy – even if it has a slightly higher up-front cost, you’ll be saving more money over time thanks to lower petrol bills.

3.      3. The size

If you’re shuttling around children, family friends and relatives every day, then you’re going to need a car with a lot of space. With anything more than four passengers, the humble hatchback or sedan is just too cramped. Ask the seller how big the storage space is in the boot if there’s no information in the listing. If they don’t know, then look online. A boot over 500L is considered plenty large enough to accommodate a busy family. Look at five-seater and seven-seater cars and assess your needs. Do you need seven seats for everyday driving or is it only necessary once or twice a month? For the latter, consider an SUV with an optional two seats in the back that can be folded away to offer further storage.

Disclosure:  This is a contributed post.