When the trip to the garage to fix that longstanding problem finally ends up being more than the car is worth, the chances are you’ll be considering looking at getting yourself a new car to rid yourself of the stress of keeping it running.

Sometimes, it is far easier said than done to actually come out of the dealership with the car you came in for though, and some experiences can be fraught. Luckily, we’ve brought together a quick guide to help alleviate your worries.

Buying a car is a pretty big decision, depending on what stage of car ownership you are at, and how much you are intending to pay. If you are after your first starter car that has nearly as many former owners as miles on the clock, it can be less of an issue, but when you’re parting with a big chunk of cash, you want to make sure that you get what you’re after.

Making an informed choice is key, and with so many different choices when buying a new car, it can be easy to find yourself overwhelmed with the sheer range of options. There are, of course, many different models and brands with attached values that should be taken into consideration. You can get a car brand new, pre-owned, or certified pre-owned, which is an older car that has been refurbished and often comes with a manufacturer warranty.

With all this on your plate, it can be difficult to keep track of everything, and there at the other end of your car purchase is a car salesman looking to shift off whatever model they can sort you out with. How can you be sure that you can trust all they say?

Raising your expertise level is an essential method of keeping up with the sales talk. By researching up on what specifications you are after, the kind of model and make, as well as an idea of how much a vehicle is worth in the current market, you reduce the risk of being oversold simply through not knowing the facts. Finding out what other local dealers are offering is also a great way of being in tune with current prices.

This is why many tend to go for the surer option, from a reliable car manufacturer such as Mazda, as they are familiar with what they are getting and know the level of consumer protection they can seek out should something go awry after the purchase.

Speaking of familiarity, always make sure that you take the car out for a test drive before committing to buy it, no matter how much you really want to get it immediately. Getting a feel for the handling and seeing how it responds to your touch can indicate to you how close to the description the car is.

Next time you’re looking to beat the salesman, read up ahead and find out exactly what you’re after to give yourself the chance of snapping up the best deal.