How to find the perfect family car - 7 tips for nailing your next purchase

“Must be able to fit two car seats without getting kneed in the back. D-dog must be able to fit comfortably and jump in himself. I'd like to be able to sling kids' bikes in the boot. Got to be efficient and comfortable, style optional!” Indecisivelurcher 

 This may be one of the most important factors to consider when looking for a family car. Start by looking at how big it is in the back - do you have enough space for all the family to sit comfortably? Do your children have enough leg room? 

 They may be little when you first buy the car but if you plan on keeping it for a long time, you will probably end up being kicked in the back by their growing legs. If you can, bring your children along for the test drive to see how they fit.

 Also, think about your lifestyle and what you will need to use the car for. Will you need to use it for family holidays or carry bikes for trips to the park? Check how big the boot is and if you can easily fit your pushchair in. An ideal boot size for a family should hold a minimum of 300 litres, with many SUVs and estate cars offering up to around 900 litres. 

“I always buy from a dealer, for a three month warranty. You pay more but I'd rather have some peace of mind. I haggle hard and I'm not afraid to walk away if the price isn't right for me.” DramaAlpaca

Even if you have an idea of the kind of family car you want, finding a car dealer to buy it from can be a daunting choice in itself. With so many around, how do you know who you can trust to give you the best deal?

 If you’re looking for a second-hand car – and it's likely lots of you are as 87% of Brits own or have previously owned a used car – online auto marketplace Your Red Car provides trusted listings to help make the process smooth and less confusing for buyers.

All of the Your Red Car dealers are approved by Santander Consumer Finance to give buyers extra peace of mind. The site has over 1,185 vetted car dealers and over 60,000 cars – from Ford Fiestas to Mercedes-Benzes - which can be narrowed down to help you find a vehicle that fits your needs and budget. Even better, buyers also benefit from a £75 e-gift card reward by purchasing through Your Red Car. 

“We went to a seven seater as soon as we had three. If you are buying a new car anyway, it makes sense to think a few years down the line and plan ahead. You’ll be transporting all the gear for whatever activity/ packing for holidays/ giving one or more child’s friend a ride somewhere, visiting Grandma and taking her out for the day, and someone is going to want a dog. A five-seater with three kids is a short term choice that doesn’t make financial sense and isn’t future-proof.” Nachthexe 

If you have a growing brood, it’s important to work out what size vehicle you need both now and in the future. SUVs, minivans and estate cars are popular family cars as they provide a lot of space and versatility.

 First, look at how many car seats you can fit in. While there may be three seats in the back, not all cars have enough space to fit three car seats so it’s worth checking if you plan to have more children down the line. It’s mandatory now that all cars have ISOFIX points to ensure car seats are fitted safely, but you’ll need to check this if you’re buying an older vehicle.

 Some cars come with a third row of seats, with the ability to seat up to eight passengers. For extra versatility, look for one with rear seats which can be folded away when you need extra storage space.

5. Consider the running costs 

“We have two DC with no more planned. We sometimes go away for a few nights to see family in the UK but don’t really drive on holiday. This car would be our main family car…It’s important to me that it’s a reliable car with good fuel economy.” Freshcutflowers

Whether you’ll be using it for everyday life like shopping trips and the school pick up or driving your car to get to work, the costs of running a vehicle can quickly mount up.

When it comes to fuel, do you want to go for a diesel or petrol? It’s thought a car with good fuel economy is around 50-60 mpg (miles per gallon) so do your research first as filling up your tank can get costly if you use your car a lot. Electric cars can be pricey initially, but will be more economical in the long term - just make sure you have somewhere to charge it.

 Don’t forget to factor in other costs like your tax and insurance payments, as well as how costly maintenance and repairs will be if something goes wrong.

“We are now a family of three so need a car that will fit three children (two in car seats) comfortably in the back and enough boot space to fit in all our stuff when we go on holiday. Priorities are that it is safe and reliable.” Grabmygran

 Making sure the car is safe will be a high priority for lots of parents. Today’s cars are a lot safer than they used to be and that is because they have to pass a series of tests to be awarded a Euro NCAP (the European New Car Assessment Program) safety rating. Cars are graded 0-5 stars depending on how they perform.

 One area parents may want to check before buying a new car is the child occupant protection scores which looks at the safety of the seat restraints and how well the vehicle accommodates child seats. Other safety features to look out for are back-up cameras, parking sensors, blind-spot warning technology and automatic emergency brake which can give you extra peace of mind when you’re on the road with your family.

7. Consider the extra features that you’ll use

“My phone connects by Bluetooth to the stereo. I use Amazon Prime for music (downloaded all the albums I like and made my own playlists) and BBC Sounds app for listening to Radio 2 played through Bluetooth too. This also works as hands free for taking phone calls, and as my sat nav using Google maps.” DartmoorChef 

Modern cars come with lots of great features for making the car even more functional. Practical functions include touch screen infotainment systems, USB charging points and smartphone integrations which allows you to make calls, play your children’s favourite music or audiobook all through voice control so that you can keep your eyes on the road.

 Other handy technology to look out for - which may not come as standard but can be added as part of a package - include integrated tablets for rear passengers, wi-fi connectivity and access to Netflix, YouTube and arcade games for keeping your children entertained while on the move. 

8. Avoid interiors that are hard to clean

No matter how determined you are to keep your car clean, there’ll be spilled drinks, muddy shoes and dirty hand marks all over the car. While cloth-covered seats are standard in most vehicles (and also cheaper), they’re not always the easiest to clean. If you can, opt for a wipeable material, such as leather, which will help your vehicle last longer and save you time scrubbing away stains.

 9. Avoid opting for style over substance

 Before you have children, you may have had a fast, stylish car with all the fancy extras, but with a family, it is much more important to make sure the car is reliable. A car that is constantly breaking down won’t be of any use to you when you’re rushing out of the door on the school run or going away on holiday. 

What are the best family cars to consider?