When should I buy a new family car? Here’s what an expert says …

. UK edition

dad getting bikes off a car for a family bike ride kids run around
A growing family puts additional demands on your car. Photograph: Rachel Bell/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF

From more space to upgrading safety features, many factors indicate it’s time to find a new car. Autotrader’s Rory Reid reveals the telltale signs – and how to use digital tools to search for a vehicle futureproofed for a growing family

There’s a point in family life when the car that once felt perfect suddenly starts to feel as if it’s getting in the way. It might be the increasingly awkward routine of squeezing children into the back, the boot that seems to shrink with every school term, or the fact that running costs seem to be growing faster than your family.

Buying a family car is rarely a sudden decision, but one that takes time and careful consideration – and with electric vehicles and hybrids now firmly part of the mainstream, thinking ahead matters more than ever now, too.

Futureproofing your next car doesn’t mean predicting exactly what your life will look like in five or 10 years’ time. It does mean recognising that families grow, routines evolve and the right technology can make a big difference.

Thankfully, in an increasingly confusing car world (with more choice than ever), help is at hand. Autotrader’s intuitive navigation, user-friendly expert advice and powerful filtering tools can make it a whole lot easier to take those first steps towards buying a new car – one that suits your family’s needs at the right price.

If any of these quandaries sound familiar, then Autotrader’s YouTube director, Rory Reid, who has first-hand experience when it comes to choosing the right car for a growing family, has some advice on how you can futureproof your next car.

“Choose a car that doesn’t just accommodate your family now, but as they grow bigger, too,” says Reid. “I had a Ford Mustang convertible that I used as a family car for my three young kids, and for the first three years of ownership, it was brilliant,” he says, adding that, by the end of their time with it, they simply didn’t fit. “I was being kicked in the back constantly on every journey by limbs that were longer than they were when we first bought the car.”

And while he notes that the boot was fairly generous to begin with, the amount of stuff kids carry to school grew exponentially each year and became a problem. “If you’ve got a young family, get a car that’s slightly bigger than you think you’ll need, unless you’re willing to change cars down the line.”

According to Reid, practicality starts with the basics: “Families with babies and toddlers will often have to contend with the stress of fitting a child seat, so if you’re taking a test drive or seeing the car, I’d always recommend taking your child seat with you to see how easy it is to fit. But if need be, you can always check this online.”

He says that checking for wide-opening doors and easy-to-access Isofix points can help make life a lot easier. “My pro tip is to check the back middle seat to see if it’s comfortable enough for a child in the middle. For babies, smooth suspension and reduced cabin noise is key, especially on long journeys where naps are involved.”

But futureproofing extends beyond just the size and space to what powers it, too. According to Autotrader, 32% of families would consider an electric vehicle when buying their next car. “The way families use their cars can change quickly as children grow, commutes shift or house moves happen,” says Reid.

“Think about how your driving may change over time, where you live, or are likely to live in the future,” he adds, recommending hybrid vehicles for mixed journeys (that include off-road), and electric vehicles for urban families with access to reliable home-charging points.

The signs that a car no longer fits your family life are subtle at first. “Once straightforward tasks start becoming a chore, it’s time to upgrade,” says Reid. “If that two-door city car has now become annoying to use, it’s time for a bigger car.”

Stress is another clear indicator of the need for an upgrade. “It can be very helpful to have a car that reduces unnecessary stress in demanding situations. Everyday distractions inside the car can make already busy driving environments feel more challenging, particularly during tasks like parking or merging on to the motorway,” says Reid. “Features such as reversing cameras, proximity sensors and blind-spot monitoring don’t replace driver awareness, but they can provide extra clarity and confidence, helping drivers stay focused on the road.”

Safety technology can be underappreciated, until it helps prevent a bump, or something more serious. For Reid, he considers these three features as vital, not optional: “Autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and a reversing camera are my essentials. They help reduce the likelihood of lane drifting when distracted, and prevent bumps and scrapes when parking. Theses features also help prevent collisions when you haven’t spotted a hazard up ahead.”

Other systems, he notes, may be less well known but just as valuable. “Rear cross-traffic alerts are brilliant when reversing out of tight parking spaces or driveways with limited visibility.” The clever technology scans the road for approaching cars and either warns you not to pull out, or takes action to stop you if there’s immediate danger. “This can be a gamechanger for difficult parking zones,” says Reid.

With so many factors to weigh up, proper research is key. Autotrader’s digital filter tools can help you narrow down what really matters. You can now search by category – with family cars being a topline term – as well as specifying features such as manual or automatic, the number of seats and doors, and even how much boot space is available. The site’s price indicator also gives you a good idea of whether a car is a fair price, compared with others you might have missed. Preparing well, and using Autotrader’s free, fast and accurate valuation tool to discover what your current car is worth before upgrading, could save you money when planning a move to hybrid or electric.

The right family car should adapt as life changes, taking the strain out of everyday journeys rather than adding to it. If your current car is starting to feel like hard work, that’s often the clearest sign it’s time for a change – and this is where Autotrader can help.

Ready to futureproof? Here’s what to keep in mind

Find your next family car at Autotrader.co.uk