If you have a family with heavy transportation needs, you can’t afford to make mistakes when it comes to choosing a car. The choice you make will affect your life in many ways, and, if you pick the wrong vehicle, you could face tons of issues. You may have to deal with more breakdowns than is reasonable or end up with a vehicle that’s inadequate for your needs. Or you could have a vehicle that costs much more to run than you expected. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider when looking for a car for your family.

Reliability and Fuel Consumption

Two things that you should look at straight off the bat are the car manufacturer’s record in terms of reliability and the fuel consumption of the vehicle. Fuel consumption will be of utmost importance in the coming years as it could make a huge impact to your running costs.

If you want a car that is economical, try to look for something that will give you around 55 to 60 miles per gallon. Some models you could consider include the Skoda Octavia, the Peugeot 308 SW, and the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer.

Look at Insurance Costs

Another thing you need to consider before you start looking at models seriously is how much they cost to insure. A vehicle could look perfect on paper, but if it costs too much to insure, it will put a serious dent in your finances. A high insurance price might also be an indication that the car is not safe, is a target for thieves and vandals, or costs a lot to repair.

If you want to get an idea of car insurance prices, it’s worth performing a search through an insurance comparison site like Quotezone. Comparison sites provide quotes quickly, enabling you to see how much you can expect to pay depending on the car’s model, year, and condition.

Look at Seating and Cargo Space

Do not get tricked into buying a car that looks spacious but has horrible seating arrangements. If you have lots of children, or often have to transport your child’s friends, it’s worthwhile looking into cars that have at least three rows of seats. You need to make sure that they’re easily accessible too.

In addition, you need to consider your cargo needs. Check how much boot space the cars you are considering have, and see how easy it is to rearrange the seats if needed.

Look at the Safety Ratings

People often don’t look at the safety ratings on vehicles, and it’s a pretty strange decision when you think about it. A vehicle with a high safety rating is much less likely to get into a crash, and, if you do get into one, your chances of suffering a serious injury will be lessened. Vehicles with good safety ratings may save you money on insurance too. So, look for the safest vehicles in whatever category you are envisaging and start your search from there.

These are all things that should be a priority for you if you’re looking for a vehicle for your family. Take the time to look at as many vehicles as you can, and don’t hesitate to speak with a mechanic or someone who knows cars well for a second opinion.