Image source

You’ve held onto your car through many years and every time you think her life has come to an end, miraculously you have managed to stretch a few more miles out of her.  The thought of saying goodbye to the car you took on your first date, headed out on your favourite road trip and got you home through a storm when others were stranded, has been a little too much for you.  Sadly though, it’s time to admit her driving days are over.

If you are lucky you may find someone who is just starting out as a driver and is desperate to get their hands on a cheap project car.  Who know’s with a little bit of TLC somebody could nurse her back to life.  Or you could consider setting her off on a new life at the race track.  Her engine is kaput but she has an incredible chassis so maybe someone could give her an exciting future.  The likely route? Junk cars for cash.  Sorry, as hard as that is going to be, we have to let go at some point right?

Good.  Now that is sorted out, let’s have a look at your new options.  A younger, safer more reliable workhorse that is going to look after you, and your children if you have them, slowly becoming full of brilliant memories you will make in the future.

Car finance packages are an excellent way of getting into a brand spanking new car.  There are so many options right now including hire purchase solutions which can help bring the monthly costs down a touch.  You could also consider checking with your personal bank and seeing what rates they offer.  Sometimes the interest rate on a bank loan is a little lower.  Although the bonus of dealer finance is you sometimes find they offer some incentives too.  Such a discount on the OTR price of the car.  Dealers make money out of selling you finance so they are able to move a little more on price sometimes.  Also a few manufacturers offer free insurance for a year or free servicing.  So speak to your local car traders and find out what they have to offer.

If you don’t have the budget to go new and the finance is something you want to avoid then the second-hand car market is the place for you.  With plenty of internet auction sites specialising in second-hand motors, you can cut out the middleman and head straight for the seller.  You will need mechanical knowledge, so if you are light on that then find a friend or a local mechanic who will come with you.  Make sure you do a history check on the car too.  You don’t want to be buying something that ought to be in the junkyard you just sent your old faithful to.
Buying a new car is a huge commitment and a massive financial investment so take your time and do your research.  However the peace of mind that comes from having a newer car with tons of modern safety features is worth the wait and the money.  Happy driving!

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading! 🙂

Picture Credit

Plenty of cars and other vehicles that are written off by insurance companies are not necessarily as dead as a dodo. In fact, many can be fixed up and sent back onto the road in no time at all, and for any car buyer looking for a good deal, a write-off can prove tempting. However, you do need to be careful, as there are plenty of ways you could end up being taken for a – very dangerous – ride. Let’s take a closer look at some of the basics of buying a write-off, and what you need to do to avoid trouble.

The value in written-off cars

Cars are written-off because they are damaged beyond a point where insurance companies feel it will cost to fix. So if your car is worth $5,000 at the point of an accident, but repairs will cost more than that, no insurer is likely to give you a payout – and will write-off our vehicle. For a car buyer, the value lies in a written-off car that doesn’t cost as much to repair as the insurance providers think. However, some cars are written off merely because they are dangerous, and it’s important to understand the difference.

Check the Written Off Vehicle Register

To accurately establish the condition of any vehicle you are thinking of buying, you should always check with the Written Off Vehicle Register (WOVR). This initiative was created to prevent dodgy repair companies fixing up write-offs and putting them back into the market as used cars, rather than ex-write-offs. It’s a process known as ‘rebirthing’ and often results in the car getting a new identity. The truth is that whether you are buying new or a write-off, you should always check this service out regardless.

Find repair services

Obviously, the best value in buying a previously written off vehicle relies on you doing the repairs. They are a great option for a DIY project, of course, but you should be able to find plenty of professionals to help if you don’t have the skills. Check your local business directory for mechanics with experience of working with write-offs and smash repairs. Bear in mind that buying a write-off is not for the faint of heart, and it’s important to be able to estimate the actual cost of any damage. Some repair jobs could exceed your expectations, so always get it inspected by a qualified individual first.

Return to the road

You will need to have a string of safety checks on your new purchase when it is fixed, to prove its roadworthiness. If you don’t go through this process, the car will be illegal – and you will end up in a lot of trouble if caught. You should also bear in mind that when you sell it on, it will be necessary to declare it as a write-off. And this could cause you problems, as most people will turn their backs on a car as soon as they realise its history of being a write-off. However, if you want to save money and grab a bargain vehicle that could last you for many years, the write-off market is worth a look – just be careful what you buy!

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading! 🙂

There are a million and one reasons why you might need to consider buying cars, trucks, or vans for your business. Whether it’s a little company car or an entire fleet of delivery vehicles, there are plenty of advantages of investing in wheels for your enterprise.

Cars are flexible and can act as an enticing offer to prospective employees. Vans are handy for deliveries and are also the workhorse of many a business. And if you need to deliver on a  massive scale – possibly across international borders – then trucks will be an essential purchase.

The big question is, how do you go about investing in a fleet of vehicles? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know – and what to expect.

source

Is it worth buying?

First of all, you will need to establish whether buying vehicles will be more cost-effective than leasing them. In many cases, leasing your fleet of vehicles will be a better move, as it helps you control costs and spread them evenly over a year. Bear in mind that depreciation comes into play when you buy new vehicles, too, which you won’t have to worry about in a leasing plan. However, in some cases – if you are using plots of cars, for example – it is sometimes better to buy than lease. When you buy multiple vehicles, you will often get a fleet discount, and there may be other accounting reasons for making a purchase.  

What are the costs?

The expenses of owning a fleet of vehicles will vary depending on what – and how many – you buy. You will need to run regular maintenance programs to ensure your assets are in good shape and there are plenty of one-off costs to consider, such as using a 24/7 truck breakdown service or bringing in mechanics. There’s the cost of storage to consider, too – lorries and vans take up a lot of room, and you will need to pay for that space. Finally, insurance is a must if you have a business fleet.

source

What systems do I need?

You will also need to invest in a robust fleet management and logistics program to ensure you are keeping track of everything. Fuel costs, health, and safety, routes, license checks – they are all needed when you own a fleet and are employing drivers. Logistics is a vital part of any business that uses vehicles, and the goal for every company in this situation is to cut costs without impacting service quality.

Who should drive them?

While company cars can be offered to any employee with a license, it’s a little different for vans and trucks. It is imperative that you hire drivers that are sensible on the roads, and have clean licenses. You should also offer plenty of training, to ensure they always comply with health and safety issues. It might be worth buying a fleet with telematics technology on board, too, so that you can ensure that all drivers are using their vehicles at the appropriate speeds.

OK, so there you have it – a brief guide to some of the basics of buying a fleet for your business. I hope it has helped!

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading! 🙂