When it comes to buying a new car, it’s all too easy to make a gut decision rather than considering practicality foremost. Look at things from a long-term point of view to get the most out of your purchase.

Have a think about what you want the car to do. What is its purpose? Think about how many seats you need, the required luggage space and comfort. Luggage space is often a primary concern when procuring a new vehicle. A saloon car might appear to be an optimum choice for those with one child, but make sure that you fully consider the volume of the boot. While on paper it may appear big enough, if you are regularly travelling with a pushchair as well as other supplies you may find you run out of space.

A convertible is a common choice when it comes to owning a second car. However, in England it’s fairly unlikely the roof will be down all that often. Also, two-seater convertibles or even two-plus-two seating configurations leave much to be desired for passengers if this is the only car in the household. Four-by-four vehicles are increasingly prevalent on the roads and can make for excellent recreational vehicles, providing a lot of space whilst retaining a certain presence on the road. However, the fuel costs of a four-by-four are notoriously high - along with sports cars, they tend to average between 15 and 25 miles to the gallon.

Next, consider how many doors you need from your car: a two-door may offer simplicity and clean lines, but a four-door vehicle can offer so much more when it comes to ease of use. Quite simply, it’s often remarkably hard to get in and out of a car. If you’re frequently chauffeuring members of the older generation, it’s worthwhile considering the extra doors. If you’ll be the main driver of the vehicle, then take it for a reasonably long test drive before committing to a purchase. Make sure you can reach the pedals easily and aren’t too cramped, and that you can envision yourself comfortably driving the car for several hours at a time.

Also think about the gearbox when looking to buy a new car. Automatic gearboxes, while exceptionally easy to operate, often use considerably more fuel than their manual counterparts. The dry clutch of a car can be heavy however, and automatics provide an extra level of ease and comfort. Fuel economy is always an important consideration when committing to a new car. You may wish to consider a modern diesel engine, as these are now much more refined than their sluggish, turbo-lagged predecessors.

Finally, look at general running costs. Typically, a more expensive vehicle will have higher tyre and maintenance costs, so check that the location of your local dealership is convenient. Depreciation should only really be a key concern if you only intend on keeping the car for less than five years, as this typically levels out at around this time.