How long did it take you to buy a car?

Hello!! So I need to buy a car for work, and I'm trying to figure out how long it takes to buy a car in the UK. (I know here in the US my experience has been that you have to wait to pick up the car after buying it, and it's not a completely speedy process.) I'll be staying with my significant other's family before I start work, and I was wondering how much time to allow for that process (so that I can book my plane ticket). I'll also want to practice driving on the left side of the road with them too :-)

Does it make a difference if you buy it secondhand or not? I'm looking for used, automatic. Any ideas how much that costs? Or good websites I could use? My significant other's family lives near Hull.

Thanks!!

Try www.autotrader.co.uk.

I bought a second-hand automatic and it didn't take long at all. I found it in the local paper, went to look at it, and drove away with it all in the same day. My first car was very cheap - about £700 - but, just as in the US, there are all kinds of cars at all prices. However, automatics aren't that common, so you won't have nearly as much choice as you would have with manuals.

Ooh! This is wonderful. Thank you so much! I feel very relieved. Does anyone have an idea of how long it takes to get insurance? (I have a US driver's license now, and am currently insured here -- would there be a way for me just to get temporary insurance (if that's easier?).)

Does anyone have an idea of how long it takes to get insurance? (I have a US driver's license now, and am currently insured here -- would there be a way for me just to get temporary insurance (if that's easier?).)

You'll just need to phone round a few different UK insurance companies for some quotes and to check that they will insure a US licence holder, because some companies won't. Once you've decided who you want to go with, you can then set up the policy on the phone (takes maybe an hour). You can usually either pay monthly or in a lump sum for the year.

When I bought a car in 2006, we saw it advertised on a Friday night, then we viewed it, paid for it in cash, signed the registration documents and drove it home on Saturday, and I was insured to drive it by Monday morning.

Phone a broker to get an estimate for insurance. It's far easier than chasing all the info down yourself. I got mine the same day I got the car. Really, you have nothing to worry about! The hard part is finding a decent second-hand automatic car. Once you've done that, it's simple! 

One thing is don't be put off by how cheap cars are. I would have no issue in the UK buying a secondhand car for 1000 GBP, but I would REALLY hesitate getting a used car in the US for $1000.