6 tips to buy a car as a student
Becoming a student and starting university or college is a big step; you’re taking your first steps into the adult world. Whether you move out or stay with your family, you’ll likely need a car to take full advantage of your newfound independence.
Read more: 3 easy steps to buy a car with Carro
Get a pre-approved loan
You should get a pre-approved loan before you even go on a test drive. A pre-approved loan is exactly that: an approved loan before you choose a car. With a preapproved loan, your budget will be fixed and you can narrow your search to cars that fall within that budget so you know what range of cars you can keep an eye out for. But if you already have a car in mind, you’ll find out if it is within your budget or not.
Should your loan be insufficient to buy your dream car, getting a pre-approved loan will give you a heads-up, so you can fix your credit score to get a larger loan, a better interest rate or both! Of course, you’d have to reapply for a pre-approved loan once you fixed your credit score.
Read more: How to improve your credit score
Consider your driving habits
If you’re going to drive a lot — commuting to uni, making frequent trips home or travelling during breaks — you might want to consider a fuel-saving car to save money on petrol.
If you are moving out and taking a lot of stuff with you, consider a car with a large boot like a Perodua Bezza or a car with a large internal space that can be repurposed for storage like a Perodua Myvi.
Read more: Hatchback or Sedan
Choosing what’s best for you
The great thing about the internet is that we can all share our experiences. So if want to know more about a particular car, you can check out reviews online or ask family and friends what they think. Once you have decided upon a car, you can go on test drives to determine if it is right for you! Since you will likely be driving the car for several years, you should keep trying them out until you find the right one for you!
Read more: Best 6 cars for students
When testing out cars, you should not get distracted by all the fancy features as every bell and whistle you add to your car is an additional cost. As a student with a limited budget, you will have to consider what safety features you need such as blind spot sensors or parking monitors, which many find useful and can avoid accidents. Less crucial features may require extra consideration, so think twice before getting that car with a sunroof!
If you think a 5-minute test drive is not enough to get a know a car, you are right! That is why Carro has a 5-day money back guarantee for your peace of mind. When you buy a car, you have 5 days to test it out on your commute. If you change your mind about the car, you will get your money back, no questions asked.
Mileage and condition
Once you decide on a model, you will need to take a look at the car’s condition. A car with high mileage has experienced more wear and tear, which translates to a higher likelihood of requiring repairs. So if you choose a cheaper car with high mileage, you may have to fork out more later to keep the car running.
This is why mileage tampering can be an issue. Unscrupulous car sellers may try to pass off a high-mileage car for a low-mileage one to earn a bit of extra cash from an unsuspecting student. So check the service booklet and odometer for inconsistencies.
That is why you get a Carro Certified car that is As Good As New. Our detailed 160-point inspection ensures we find and repair every imperfection so that you can be confident that what you see is what you get. We also guarantee every car has no mileage tampering, major accidents, fire and flood damage.
Decide on a downpayment
Once you decide upon a car, you will have to decide how much you want to spend on it upfront. Generally, a down payment of 10% or more is required when you buy a car. So if the car you buy costs RM60,000, a 10% down payment is RM6,000. If you pay more than the 10% down payment, the loan you take will be smaller, so your interest payments will be lower. So if you are flush with cash, you can choose to have a bigger down payment. Otherwise, paying the minimum down payment is better to save that money for a rainy day.
When you buy a car with Carro, you can choose from a panel of banks and our own GFS to finance your car!
Note: Some providers may prefer larger down payments of up to 25%, as this proves you have a steady income and can afford to pay off your loan.
Read more: Car loans in Malaysia
Insurance costs
Car insurance is important because it protects you and other involved parties should an accident occur. Do note that the cost of car insurance can vary depending on the year, make and model of the car; where you live; your age and any previous accidents you’ve had among other factors. Shop around before you decide which provider to go with to ensure your budget can withstand the cost of the policy you’ll need. You don’t want your insurance to blow your budget!
Read more: Car insurance in Malaysia
When you buy a car with Carro, you get to choose from Carro’s panel of car insurance providers! You also can choose the best policy for you and the add-ons you need all on one page.
Buying a car as a student is a big step. You need to consider your loan, down payment, the car’s condition, if the car suits your needs and more. Do your homework and check with various lenders and insurance providers to find the best possible deal.
At Carro, you can browse our fleet of As Good As New cars for the right one for you! You can look at the exterior and interior of each car before deciding which one you want to take for a spin. Once you have made a decision, you can choose from our panel of loan and insurance providers and choose what is best for you, fuss-free! Test drive a Carro Certified car today! You can also enjoy discounts at our Year End Sale!
