3 Rules To Follow When Choosing A First Car For Your Child
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Learning to drive is one of those big milestones in a child’s life that gives them a sense of freedom and independence. For a lot of parents, it’s the first step in letting go and watching their child enter the world on their own. But they’re not completely independent yet and they’ll still need your help when it comes to choosing their first car. If it was left up to them, they’d buy something that looks great or has a huge engine in it, but they wouldn’t think about the sensible stuff.
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Before you decide to buy your child a car, it’s important that you wait until they’re ready. If you think that they are mature enough to handle their own car and all of the responsibilities that come with that, it’s time to start looking, but what exactly should you be looking for? These are some of the most important things to keep in mind when buying your child’s first car.
Always Go For A Used Car
When you’re buying a car for yourself, you might decide to go for a brand new model. There aren’t as many worries about maintenance and if you have the money, a new car can be the easier option. But when buying for your child, it’s always best to go for a used car. As long as you go to a reputable dealer like Liverpool Car Centre, you can get a good quality second hand car that isn’t likely to have too many problems. There are a few reasons that you should go for a used car; firstly, it teaches your child that they won’t always be able to buy a brand new car and sometimes, they have to make do with what they can afford. Secondly, it is a learning experience because used cars require a bit more maintenance, so you’re teaching them how to look after it. Finally, it’s going to be a lot cheaper for you.
Look For Smaller Engines
A new driver is likely to make mistakes, so you don’t want to put them behind the wheel of anything too powerful. That’s why it’s best to look for a good car that has a small engine. It will be more economical as well so they won’t be spending too much money on fuel every month.
Prioritize Safety Features
Your child’s safety is your number one concern, so you should prioritize safety features when deciding between a few different cars. Do some research into the crumple zones on different models and look out for added features like automatic emergency braking, rear view cameras, and blind spot detection. These safety features will reduce the risk of accidents so you can rest easy when your child goes out on their own for the first time. However, it’s important that they don’t become complacent because they have safety features in the car. You need to teach them that those features are there to protect them in emergency situations but they still need to drive sensibly and always focus on the road.
As long as you follow these basic rules, you will be able to pick the perfect first car for your child.