There are now nearly three million cars on the roads in Qatar according to the World Health Organisation. From prestige German marques to an economical run-around, you can take your pick of makes and models from around the globe. All that choice is great, but it can make it tricky to decide what car to buy. To make life easier, here are our top five tips on searching for the best car for you.

1) SUV, 4x4, sportscar, or saloon?

The first thing to do is to decide on what sort of car you are looking for. For example, if you enjoy camping in the desert, a 4x4 is a must-have. If you need something to comfortably carry a larger family, a people carrier or SUV with seven seats or more may be the right choice. Searching online will help you find the pros and cons of each car type, which will help you make an informed decision.

2) Read the reviews

Doing online research is the best starting point when deciding on your perfect car. User reviews are the most trustworthy as they are unbiased and more genuine. Taking the time to read or watch independent reviews will give you a better idea of how the cars perform in the real world. TV shows, car magazines, and YouTube test-drives videos can all help you to discover what a car is really like compared to what the manufacturer claims.

3) Visit the showroom

Hearing what someone else thinks about a car can be helpful. However, you need to see, and sit in, a car yourself to really decide if its right for you. In the showroom look out for potential problems, such as can you fit all the car seats for the kids in the back? Take the time to visit all the different main dealer showrooms on your shortlist. Or visit a multi-dealer centre, like Automall, where you can compare a number of makes and models side by side.

4) Take a test drive

Sometimes it’s not until you’re behind the wheel trying to navigate SZR that you realise you just can’t see out the back. Once you’ve whittled it down to your top four or five cars, book a test drive to try out each one.

5) Talk to a knowledgeable expert

Don’t be shy about asking friends and work colleagues about their experiences with cars. They can give you useful information on things like running costs or servicing charges as well as reliability.

Ask for advice at the dealership too. At a multi-brand dealer like Automall you can also get honest, unbiased advice on the pros and cons of the different makes and models on sale.

6) Keep an eye on your budget

You could buy a brand new car, but remember that cars can depreciate in value significantly the moment they roll off a forecourt. If you have your eye on a higher spec vehicle than your budget dictates, it’s worth looking at quality used-car options.

If you buy a pre-owned vehicle from a specialist dealer like Automall you’ll still benefit from excellent finance deals and car warranty packages for peace of mind.

Finding your perfect car

Whatever make or model you’re looking for, take a look online or visit your nearest showroom and find your perfect car now.