PASSING your practical driving test is one of life’s great achievements.

After numerous lessons getting to grips with the gears, the manoeuvres and the handling, you can legally get behind the wheel of your own car and experience the independence this can bring.

However before you can do this, you need to find yourself a car; your first car!

This can certainly be easier said than done and whilst there is an abundance of vehicles out there, there are a few things you should take into consideration to guarantee you buy a reliable, safe and affordable first car to get out on the roads in.

Here are three of main considerations you must make when shopping for your own car.

1- Where to buy

There are four main options available to you when it comes to deciding where to buy your first car from, and these are:

Franchise Dealer – With a franchised dealer, you are guaranteed a reliable vehicle with a great after sales service, however there is a good chance that the cost of the vehicle will be significantly higher than other alternatives.

Independent Dealer – The second option is to buy from an independent dealer where you are likely to have a wider choice of cars at a lower price, yet the after sales service and the overall quality of the vehicles may not be as high.

Auction – If you are looking for a real bargain, are working to an incredibly tight budget or want a car that requires work and enables you to make improvements, an auction may be the place to go. The quality of some vehicles at auctions can be questionable so if you don’t know much about cars, it is advisable to take someone who does.

Private – Scouring the internet or the classified ad pages of the local newspaper will result in you finding an array of used cars being sold by private sellers. Buying privately can result in you getting a great deal after some shrewd negotiations, yet it is again important to carefully look out for those vehicles where quality is questionable.