10 tips to buying a student car

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"With the wide variety of used cars to choose from through online classifieds, buyers need all the help they can get to find the right car for their needs. That is why we've made browsing easy. They can search according to make, model, price, year, region and city plus refine their search even further by colour and fuel type," says Francois Labuschagne, product and marketing manager for Auto Mart.

Motor vehicles not only serve the purpose of getting students to class on time, but they also transport them to activities where they'll be making lasting memories. "As a parent you don't want your child's class schedule, campus life and safety to be compromised by an unreliable car, so we recommend that you opt for a practical, low-maintenance model and follow our advice to make an informed decision," he says.

Auto Mart provides ten tips to consider before making a final decision on the perfect student car:

1. Be aware that the car will be parked outside, in the sun for extended periods of time, so its exterior is likely to sustain scratches through wear and tear. Therefore a second-hand car's bodywork doesn't necessarily have to be in perfect condition to begin with.

2. Choose a car that is light on petrol. It won't only be used to get to and from campus and all those kilometres can cost parents more than expected.

3. Make sure the car has a boot with an inner lid as it can sometimes be missing from second-hand cars. A hatchback is fine as long as the lid is still intact. The boot will be used to store everything from books to clothes and sporting gear and these items shouldn't be noticeable from the outside as they can pose a theft risk.

4. Opt for a car with passenger doors instead of only two doors in the front as friends often catch a lift to and from activities.

5. A smaller car is practical, because parking on campus can be a tight squeeze.

6. If the car is for a novice driver, parents may want to choose a car with less power as the driver is still gaining experience.

7. A vintage car such as a Beetle is trendy, but make sure that the engine is in a good condition. It is difficult to determine the mechanical state of the engine during a test drive, so ask for the service records and if necessary have the car inspected by mechanic. The AA also offers technical inspections.

8. Parents should evaluate the cost of maintenance over time. Most of the larger car manufacturers' parts are readily available. A smaller car model from a well-known car brand, with a large volume of that same model on the road, usually has a lower maintenance cost than some of the unfamiliar brands.

9. Weigh up the cost to insure the vehicle. Some models cost more to insure than others. Also keep in mind that parking spaces on some campuses are limited so the car may have to be parked outside the campus gates, which poses a risk. Make the insurer aware of the car's likely locations during the day.

10. A tracking device may be thought of as an unnecessary expense, but if a student is very social, mom and dad will find it handy to be able to ping their location if it is getting late and they're not home yet or if they're driving home for the weekend.
    

Online classifieds allow car buyers to conduct all their research from the comfort of their home and from their device of choice, whether it's their cellphone, tablet or desktop.

The Auto Mart Android App makes finding a car that much easier and by signing up for alerts, buyers will be notified of matches and deals as soon as they become available. "Buyers looking for help to find a specific car can start a chat with us on WhatsApp and we'll help them with their search, just remember to include your region," says Labuschagne.