You’ve saved, searched, and finally found something that might be the one. But when you’re standing in a dealership — or halfway through an online finance form — it’s easy to rush the decision or overlook the small stuff.
If you’re new to the process, understanding the most common first-time car buyer mistakes can help you avoid a decision you’ll regret six months down the track.
In Western Australia, driving isn’t always straightforward. You need a car that can handle stop-start city traffic, long weekend drives, hot summers, and the occasional unsealed road to a campsite that looked better in photos.
Here are nine mistakes that first-time car buyers in WA often make, and how to avoid them.
Key Takeaways
- Looks fade, practicality matters. Choose a car that fits your lifestyle, not just your image.
- Always test drive. Comfort, visibility, and road feel can’t be judged from specs alone.
- WA roads vary; be ready. All-wheel drive, ground clearance and driver assist tech make a difference.
- Don’t rush the decision. Pressure to buy quickly often leads to regret.
- Budget beyond the sticker price. Include rego, insurance, servicing, and fuel in your plan.
- Dig into safety features. 5-star ANCAP is great, but tech like EyeSight® helps avoid accidents altogether.
- Think ahead. A car that suits your future plans will serve you longer and retain value.
- Read finance contracts carefully. Understand the full cost, not just the weekly payment.
- Strong resale holds long-term value. Reliable brands like Subaru make your next upgrade easier.
1. Picking a car based on looks
Some cars are designed to stand out in a showroom. But when you’re trying to reverse out of a narrow car park or load up for a weekend in Lancelin, style starts to matter less than practicality.
A smart first car should fit your lifestyle, be easy to live with day to day, and feel comfortable on longer drives. If it struggles to fit a full grocery run or your beach gear, those sleek lines won’t mean much after a few weeks.
2. Skipping the test drive
No matter how much research you’ve done, nothing replaces time behind the wheel.
Test driving isn’t just a box to tick, but where you’ll learn if the car actually suits you. Focus on:
- Visibility when reversing or merging
- How stable and confident it feels at 100 km/h
- Cabin noise and comfort over rough surfaces
- The layout and usability of the controls
Where possible, drive it in the kinds of conditions you’ll use it in: suburban traffic, freeways, maybe even a stretch of gravel. That’s when features like adaptive cruise control, reverse cameras, or Subaru’s full-time AWD show their real value.
The Subaru Crosstrek is a great example, what looks like a compact SUV on paper often feels more spacious and planted than you’d expect. But you won’t know that until you’re behind the wheel.
3. Forgetting WA roads aren’t all the same
WA driving isn’t one-size-fits-all. You might start on well-sealed suburban roads and end up on dry gravel, corrugated tracks, or steep driveways, all in the same weekend.
It’s easy to forget this if you’re buying with city driving in mind. But in WA, features like the following can make a real difference:
- All-wheel drive for consistent traction, even in the dry
- Ground clearance to handle potholes, driveways, or loose surfaces
- Driver assist tech to help with long-distance fatigue or poor visibility
You don’t need an off-roader. But you do need a car that can handle more than just sealed bitumen.
The Subaru Outback was built with exactly this kind of variety in mind: it’s comfortable in traffic, composed on gravel, and has the clearance to deal with the unexpected detours WA driving tends to throw your way.
4. Rushing the decision
You’re told the car’s just been reduced. Or it’s the last one in stock. Or someone else is ‘coming back tomorrow to buy it.’
High-pressure sales tactics can lead to rushed decisions, one of the easiest first-time car buyer mistakes to fall into.
Before you sign:
- Compare other models and brands
- Check insurance costs (especially if you’re under 25)
- Review all the on-road costs and dealership fees
- Bring someone with car experience, even just for backup
You only buy your first car once. It’s worth doing on your terms.
5. Ignoring the full cost of owning a car
There’s the price on the windscreen, and then there’s everything else.
In WA, long distances and tough conditions mean more wear and tear than you might expect. Budget for:
- Registration and stamp duty
- Insurance premiums (which can be steep for new drivers)
- Fuel, especially if you’re commuting or travelling regionally
- Regular servicing
- Tyres, batteries, and the occasional roadside callout
A vehicle with capped-price servicing, as Subaru offers, helps reduce the stress of surprise costs and makes planning your first few years of ownership easier.
6. Not digging into safety
A sticker that says ‘5-star safety’ doesn’t tell the whole story.
For new drivers, real safety is about more than airbags. You want a car that helps prevent accidents, not just survive them.
Look for:
- ANCAP 5-star safety rating (based on recent testing)
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane keep assist and blind spot alerts
- Rear cross-traffic warnings
- Driver monitoring for fatigue or distraction
These systems can be the difference between a near miss and a serious incident, especially on long, straight country roads where concentration fades.
7. Overlooking resale value
That bargain model might save you now, but cost you later. If no one wants it used, you’ll be stuck when it’s time to upgrade.
Cars with strong resale:
- Come from brands known for reliability
- Have good safety credentials
- Are popular in both metro and regional markets
Choosing well now could make your second car more affordable down the line, because you’ll have more to trade or sell.
8. Signing finance without reading the fine print
Finance makes it easy to drive away, but not all deals are created equal.
Common traps include:
- High interest rates hidden behind low weekly payments
- Balloon payments at the end of the loan
- Extra fees that aren’t explained clearly
Before signing anything:
- Compare finance from at least two sources
- Ask what the total cost will be over the full loan term
- Understand what happens if you pay it out early
- Make sure the repayments fit your budget, with room to spare
Many first-time car buyer mistakes start with finance agreements that feel manageable upfront but become stressful later.
9. Picking a car that only suits ‘right now’
A small hatchback might work for your current commute. But what about six months from now, when you start travelling more, or need space for work gear, or bring a bike along on weekends?
A smart first car should:
- Offer enough space for changing plans
- Handle road trips without feeling cramped
- Still feel practical in two or three years
The best choice is one that gives you flexibility, not just a short-term solution.
When it’s time to test drive, we’re here
Buying your first car is a big step, financially and practically. The right choice will shape how you drive, where you go, and how confident you feel getting there.
The best way to avoid common first-time car buyer mistakes? Slow the process down, ask questions, and make sure the car fits your life beyond the dealership.
When you’re ready to explore options that handle WA roads, manage ongoing costs, and hold their value well, Perth City Subaru can help. With capped-price servicing, full-time AWD, and 5-star safety features across the range, we’re here to help you buy with clarity, not pressure.
A good first car should feel like the right call, from your first drive to your hundredth.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How can I avoid first-time car buyer mistakes with private sellers?
A. Always check for a PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) report, confirm service history, and inspect the car with an independent mechanic. A common mistake is trusting a good deal without verifying if the car is encumbered or previously written off.
Q. What are some digital-age first-time car buyer mistakes to watch out for?
A. Relying too heavily on online images, skipping in-person inspections, and getting lured by “too good to be true” deals from unverified sellers. First-time buyers also sometimes forget to check if the online pricing includes all on-road costs.
Q. How do I know I’m not making one of these first-time car buyer mistakes?
A. Take your time. Get a second opinion. Compare at least three similar vehicles. Ask about running costs, safety, and future value, not just the price today. Buying with confidence usually means you’ve asked more questions than you thought you needed to.
Q. What first-time car buyer mistakes happen during test drives?
A. Rushing through the test drive or doing it only on smooth city roads. It’s a mistake not to test the car on roads similar to your daily commute: hills, freeways, or even gravel if that’s part of your weekend routine. Also, bring a second person if you’re nervous; they’ll notice things you might miss.
Q. Do people make first-time car buyer mistakes when buying from friends or family?
A. Yes, skipping a proper inspection, undervaluing the car, or agreeing to handshake deals without paperwork. It’s still a legal transaction, so you need to follow transfer rules, check for debt, and agree on price and condition in writing.