As our children keep on growing

It is becoming apparent that we are going to need a larger car

We already struggle in our VW Touran

When going on holiday

With two adults and four children

We are running out of room

As we need all the seats

We have no boot space

Until now we have been able to fill the foot wells with bags

But now that Edie is getting older and taller

She is very soon going to need some leg room

Taking a buggy out is already a struggle

And now the children are all cyclists and sailors

Body boarders

Horse riders

They all come with kit and equipment

So much stuff!

And so it is time to start looking at cars

I know in my heart that we need to go big

But I am very worried about my ability to drive a larger car

Or at least my ability to park one!

We are currently a one car family

As David’s car has broken beyond repair

It needs to be sold for scrap

After selling a totalled car

We can begin our search for something new to us

My friend drives a VW Caravelle

And I think that realistically that is the kind of car we are looking at

Which honestly terrifies me

But I want us to be able to get out and about easily as a family

Even with friends

So I need to overcome my fears

I need to get used to the idea of driving a bigger car

And start looking for what our next car might be

We have always bought our cars secondhand

We have bought through websites

At an auction

And by using an experienced buyer to help us source the right car for the right price

Over the years we have picked up some top tips for buying a used car

Here they are

Have a list of requirements for when you start looking
We need 6 seats, boot space and would like a reliable car that is fairly cheap to run

Look at the service history and previous owners
This can give you an idea of who has owned the car and how it has been driven. It will also tell you any work that has been done on the car and how regularly the car has been serviced. It tells a story of how well the car has been looked after.

Think about budget
Think about not only the cost of buying the car but any other up front costs and also ongoing costs. Things like tax, insurance, fuel, MOTs and Services. Buying second hand means that you may be able to look at cars you would not ordinarily be able to afford. Try shopping for a prestige car at KAP Motors

Shop around
Look at a range of cars that fit your requirements. Look with a friend or partner. Compare prices on the same make and model. Look at the different ways of buying a used car such as dealers and auctions.

Take a Test Drive
Do not buy a car without having driven it first and check that everything is in good working order.

I am not an expert car shopper by any means

If you have any tips on buying second hand cars

Especially vehicles for large families

I would love to hear them

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