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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Hate hate hate looking for a new car

119 replies

2026namechange · 31/01/2026 09:10

It is both boring and stressful at the same time. I don’t know what I’m talking about and I also don’t care to learn, I find it tedious.

People seem to have such strong and specific opposing opinions about stuff that I have no idea if it’s relevant at all.

AIBU to think you should be able to pay someone to find you a car that meets your budget and requirements and isn’t a lemon?

If this service exists please could someone point me in the right direction? Bonus points to not have to engage in any conversations that involve car terminology at all.

OP posts:
Jellycatspyjamas · 31/01/2026 13:58

I bought from Cinch, absolutely no problems and really good customer service. They provided a hire car when there was a delay with delivery and I had a problem with my own car which I was going to trade in - they really didn’t need to bit it was very appreciated. You can return the car within 2 weeks for any reason, so really a decent test drive. I knew the car I wanted and they gave a good purchase price and a good trade in. I’d highly recommend.

RosesAndHellebores · 31/01/2026 14:06

I just decide a spec and budget and visit a main dealer. It has worked very well for: Citroen Picasso - five proper seats, roomy boot - 9 years of budget motoring; Ford SMax 7 seats, roomy, automatic, 2L, Honda CRV auto, 2L, petrol - 6 years trouble free so far. Need something smaller and woukd go for the HRV if write ups were better so likely to be Volvo CX40 or TRoc. Will just get best value at the time.

staringatthesun · 31/01/2026 14:19

I agree, I always stress that I'm buying a dud and that it'll end up being an absolute money pit.

JohnofWessex · 31/01/2026 15:45

Trabant anyone?

Chocolatebunny61 · 31/01/2026 16:36

My daughter got her car from Cinch (Skoda Fabia). She has been very pleased with it. She has a Fiesta that had loads of issues so she palmed it off to We Buy AnyCar and got a good deal on her Skoda.

2026namechange · 31/01/2026 18:48

TheCurious0range · 31/01/2026 13:50

PIL have a Mazda CX-5 (I think) they seem to like it and it was nice to drive when we borrowed it because ours blew up (Citroen avoid)

This is the sort of stuff I can’t stand about talking about getting a new car - avoid Citroens, Renault engines are bad, Fiats are unreliable…and then you get other people saying they’ve had those cars for years with no problems and it’s Vauxhalls that are dodgy. It all feels so arbitrary!

OP posts:
TheCurious0range · 31/01/2026 18:51

2026namechange · 31/01/2026 18:48

This is the sort of stuff I can’t stand about talking about getting a new car - avoid Citroens, Renault engines are bad, Fiats are unreliable…and then you get other people saying they’ve had those cars for years with no problems and it’s Vauxhalls that are dodgy. It all feels so arbitrary!

It honestly depends on your budget, my Citroen towards the end was a nightmare, but it cost me 7k lasted me nearly 7 years and we buy any car gave me 2.5k for it. So for the budget not a problem, but in the last 18 months it spent so much time in the garage every time it bleeped even for petrol or a bulb out my stomach would go over. Interestingly our mechanic told me it had the same engine as a bmw1 series and a mini. I would've been a lot more annoyed if we'd paid those prices!

MonsteraDeliciosa · 01/02/2026 09:00

IsItBedtimeYet09 · 31/01/2026 10:33

We got a car off Cinch last week and we're returning it due to some undisclosed faults. I would be weary of purchasing a car you haven't test driven first

But that’s the whole point: you essentially get a free two week test drive with Cinch. You can easily return it then for a refund.
If you went to a physical dealership you’d get 10 minutes with a bloke in a polyester suit sitting next to you!

2026namechange · 01/02/2026 09:07

DH feels very nervous about cinch and even though it’s “my” car, it is “our” money so I’m trying to factor that in as well.

I have currently done a sort of half way house and reserved myself a 2021 Citroen c3 aircross from a local-ish dealer. I’m going to book an AA inspection and they can test drive it for me because they actually know what they are looking for. If all is well I will go and get it.

Now everyone can tell me what awful, unreliable cars these are lol 😫🤣

OP posts:
5foot5 · 01/02/2026 09:13

Theseventhmagpie · 31/01/2026 09:40

I don’t know where you live but try one of the reputable car supermarkets. I have friends who have used Fords of Winford and have been very impressed. No hard sell.

I was about to post similar. Our last few cars have been purchased through Fords of Winsford and DD got hers from there a few months ago.

I like that you can check out what they have online first, putting in any relevant filters, and if this turns up anything you fancy you can reserve it for a period of time with a refundable deposit and arrange test drive. All online.

Always seenm very professional and no hard sell

5foot5 · 01/02/2026 09:18

5foot5 · 01/02/2026 09:13

I was about to post similar. Our last few cars have been purchased through Fords of Winsford and DD got hers from there a few months ago.

I like that you can check out what they have online first, putting in any relevant filters, and if this turns up anything you fancy you can reserve it for a period of time with a refundable deposit and arrange test drive. All online.

Always seenm very professional and no hard sell

BTW, Fords of Winsford don't just sell Fords, that is just the company name! They sell all makes. And they are not just in Winsford, I believe they have a Manchester branch.

user17441 · 01/02/2026 09:22

YABU i enjoy it. I hate clothes shopping though 😄

AngelsWithSilverWings · 01/02/2026 10:08

I love it and so does my son. DH couldn't care less about cars so he leaves me and DS to it.

I've bought two from Big Motoring World and find the staff really helpful and patient. I also like that the price is the price. No haggling.

We went to them after wasting hours with a car salesman at an Audi dealership who was just so slippery, giving us the hard sell adding ££s on for this and that, we just knew we couldn't trust him.

Last time I spent hours there looking at different cars after the guy helped me to narrow down my choices from what was available. Both times I've been there I've driven home with a car that I've been really happy with. Still have both of the cars - I've had one of them for 8 years now and it's still going strong.

Myblueclematis · 01/02/2026 10:22

I managed to put myself off completely last year when i was thinking of buying a new car. The thought of deciding what make, whether to stick to the current brand, Kia, change to EV or Hybrid or stick with petrol. Then having to go round dealerships to look at vehicles which there are not that many round where I live and I wanted a local dealer.

I've now decided to just carry on with current car and wait until I actually have to buy something new either due to car getting old or whether it's costing a lot in maintenance and repairs.

BestIsWest · 01/02/2026 10:31

JoyintheMorning · 31/01/2026 10:05

Make sure the back seat folds right down to give a flat deck for when you need to carry a piece of furniture. I/we did not check when we bought our Skoda Karoq. Some Fords have this problem I believe.
What is the point of a hatch back where only the back of the back seat leans forward.

You can take the seats out completely though. At least, you can in our Karoq. Not ideal if you’ve just bought something bulky in Ikea, I agree.

JoyintheMorning · 01/02/2026 10:38

BestIsWest · 01/02/2026 10:31

You can take the seats out completely though. At least, you can in our Karoq. Not ideal if you’ve just bought something bulky in Ikea, I agree.

Thanks, it caught us out had a flat areas with a Kia, Astra, Ford. One lever each side of seat back. Looks as if there are bolts to hold 4 brackets on ours. Cheapskate manufacturers

JohnofWessex · 01/02/2026 10:43

Myblueclematis · 01/02/2026 10:22

I managed to put myself off completely last year when i was thinking of buying a new car. The thought of deciding what make, whether to stick to the current brand, Kia, change to EV or Hybrid or stick with petrol. Then having to go round dealerships to look at vehicles which there are not that many round where I live and I wanted a local dealer.

I've now decided to just carry on with current car and wait until I actually have to buy something new either due to car getting old or whether it's costing a lot in maintenance and repairs.

I believe Kia are known as killed in action.

They just go on and on until they dont and when they dont they are very dont

TheGrimSmile · 01/02/2026 10:44

Theseventhmagpie · 31/01/2026 09:40

I don’t know where you live but try one of the reputable car supermarkets. I have friends who have used Fords of Winford and have been very impressed. No hard sell.

We have used these. They are great tbh.

parietal · 01/02/2026 10:47

I found it v helpful to watch video reviews on YouTube for various types of car. To save travelling to dealers and narrow things down.

Hiptothisjive · 01/02/2026 11:10

Maybe it would help of you were clear on what you wanted, usage, mileage, where you drive and park, what you like etc.

It’s like saying can anyone recommend a nice place to go in Europe.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 01/02/2026 11:14

I agree that it's boring! I just want a car that ticks all of my boxes, and goes. Also, the jump between my current car and my dream car is seen as being hilarious and unrealistic, so I am clearly not to be taken seriously!

MakeMineAMilkyTea · 01/02/2026 11:18

BennyHenny · 31/01/2026 09:16

I just buy a newer version of the car I’ve got as I can’t be bothered with all the decisions either! Can recommend this approach for significantly shortening the purchasing process.

I do the exact same 🤣

DontMonkeyWithMyBusiness · 01/02/2026 12:15

We are in the market for a new car. We actually went to a garage last weekend with DS and got in lots of cars and discounted the model DH had decided on. The staff were great and left us to it - however we kept having to go inside and find someone and ask for them to open a car and we were only allowed inside one of the outside cars at a time. I'm going to go back with a couple of plastic crates to measure boot size for uni packing and will insist on having two cars open at the same time!

taxguru · 01/02/2026 12:28

I love it, and do all the leg work. I'm very fussy but DH really doesn't care, so he leaves it to me. He'd buy the first car he saw, regardless of make/model, colour, spec, etc - he really doesn't care about cars! I spend hours doing research, decide the exact make, model, spec, colour, age, mileage, etc that I want and then put the exact details in the filters on the website to gauge prices, availability, locations, etc. I go to relatively local garages to do "sit ins" and maybe test drives if I like it. Then often change my mind when something isn't right and "tweak" my specs and go through the process again. Sometimes, I can take several months or even a year or so to find the next car. I'm never in a hurry!

For our last 2 cars (a large one and a small one), I became an expert on the handful of makes/models I had on my short list - I knew the differences between the models, etc., knew the dimensions of the cars on my short list, and knew market prices, which gave me confidence and facts to haggle when I finally got to the final stage after finding the exact car I wanted.

Very happy with the current two cars - both exactly what I wanted, right spec, right mileage, right colour, etc and more importantly, haggled some decent discounts from each garage by showing them printouts of identical cars for sale for lower prices elsewhere! A good result both times.

Already started doing research for what I want next time around. But then again, I do the same with everything else too, i.e. washing machines, cookers, fridges, TVs, laptops - I love to delve into the detail, do lots of comparisons as to features between makes and models, etc. I'm a very "detailed" kind of person and never buy anything in haste without knowing ALL the facts.

geoger · 01/02/2026 12:45

OP if you give more info we can help you. Eg; budget, age of children, do you need a big boot, motorway driving, parking situation etc etc

a really safe bet would be a VW Golf - great for families, roomy, great to drive a reliable. Go to main dealer and get the service package too