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Consumer Education

Stages and Priorities in buying a carActivity in which learners think about the stages in buying a car and identify their priorities in choosing a car. Includes things to think about cards and buying a car checklist.

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Buying and running a car: Stages and priorities in buying a car.

This document provides activities to use with learners/ participants/ service users; the material has been written to include education focuses on literacy, numeracy, functional skills and English for speakers of other languages within a formal education setting. However if you wish to use the activities within an informal group or as part of an awareness raising campaign you will only need p8 onwardsLearning resources are not designed for tutors/ educators to advise their participants on specific cases; where necessary participants should be directed to the appropriate advice agency.

Unit/Activity name Unit/ Activity focus Consumer education

objectivesLiteracy, language and numeracy objectives

Literacy curriculum

refs

ESOL curriculum

refs

Numeracy curriculum

refs

Functional skills

standards

Unit 1 Activity 4Stages in buying a car

Participate in a discussion and identify sequence for stages in buying a car

Develop understanding of key stages in process of buying a car

Follow and contribute to a discussion

Use organisational features to prioritise information

SLd/L1.1

Rt/L1.4

Sd/L1.1c

Rt/L1.4a

Sp & List L1

Reading L1

Unit 1Activity 5Priorities for buying a car

Read and understand a checklist and use it to identify own priorities

Plan ahead and identify your most important needs and priorities for a car

Use organisational features to prioritise information

Rt/L1.4 Rt/L1.4a Reading L1

Unit 1Activity 6Buying a car checklist

Read and understand a checklist

Develop the skills, knowledge and confidence required to make an informed decision when buying a car

Read and understand text Rt/L1.1 Rt/L1.1a Reading L1

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carBuying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 4 Stages in buying a car

RESOURCES AND PREPARATION

Before the session:

Buying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 4a Stages in buying a car: copy, laminate and cut up one set of cards for each group

Buying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 4b Stages in buying a car record: a copy for each learner

LITERACY AND LANGUAGE FOCUS

SUGGESTED PROCEDURE

Set the context by eliciting some ideas of what learners might do first if they were planning to buy a second-hand car.

Divide learners into groups. Give each group a set of Buying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 4a Stages in buying a car.

First ask learners to use the headings only and sort these into the best sequence. Check with whole group.

Explain the next stage of the task is to order the cards within each cluster to show in more detail the best sequence to follow if you buy a second-hand car. Point out that learners can use the colours to help them cluster the actions under each heading before sorting them into what they agree is the best sequence. Learners can also place actions next to each other if they think they happen at about the same time. Stress that although the order of the headings is set, there is scope within the detail of each cluster for individual preference.

When learners have finished, ask them to compare and discuss their answers. They might want to make a few changes to their sequence as a result of this.

When they are happy with their sequence, they can number the actions and sequence they have chosen on Buying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 4b Stages in buying a car record.

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carBuying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 5 Priorities for a car

RESOURCES AND PREPARATION

Before the session:

Buying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 5 Priorities when buying a car: a copy for each learner

LITERACY AND LANGUAGE FOCUS

SUGGESTED PROCEDURE Use Buying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 5 Priorities when buying a car to guide and prompt learners to choose their own

personal requirements for a car. To customise to your groups of learners you can simplify the list or add further requirements in the blank rows.

If you introduce the checklist after earlier sessions where learners may have researched particular car models, learners should have a fairly clear idea of what they would like to buy, how much they want to spend and could process their ideas directly on to the list.

Facilitate a discussion with learners about final overall costs of buying a car, so they understand why they should include:

the upfront price of the car

the cost of any required extras

the affordability of the running costs, i.e. it may be more costly to replace or service the parts of one particular make and model than another or the cost of fuel for one model could make monthly running costs prohibitively expensive.

If you introduce the checklist before learners have done any previous research, it may be useful for you to model a list of your own to guide the learners and demonstrate how you found the information from car specification booklets or from websites. For the learners to have a closer understanding of what is required, consider explaining what your rationale is for choosing that particular car and model.

Ask learners to identify their three main priorities from their lists and then tell each other what they are and why they have chosen them.

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Ideas for Level 2 and/ or extension activities

When the learners have made their choices from the checklist, ask them to list the essential and desirable priorities they have chosen on a separate sheet. Explain that they now have to write or talk about why they have made these choices giving full reasons:

e.g. I’ve chosen to buy an automatic car because my licence is for an automatic car. I would like a small engine size as it uses less petrol and is better for the environment.

Learners can be asked to research cars which meet their priorities further using car magazines and the internet. They can then report back in a later session.

Ideas for support and differentiation

Adjust the number of priorities for learners to write or talk about depending on their level and the time available.

Provide a writing or talking frame with example structures e.g.

I would like to buy a ………. because ………

Provide calculators for those who need them.

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carBuying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 6 Buying a car checklist

RESOURCES AND PREPARATION

Before the session:

Buying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 6 Buying a car checklist: a copy for each learner

LITERACY AND LANGUAGE FOCUS

SUGGESTED PROCEDURE Set context by reminding learners how important it is to have and use a checklist when buying a car. Write up the following

headings on separate flipchart sheets:

General condition

Accident signs

Identity change

Clocking

Test drive

After the test drive.

Divide learners into pairs/ small groups and allocate one flipchart sheet to each group as their starting point. Ask learners to try and predict what may be included in the checklist for this category.

After a few minutes ask the groups to move round to the next flipchart sheet. Learners add to what is already there.

Continue the process and maintain the pace for scanning each sheet and quickly adding to it.

When all learners have had the opportunity to add to each sheet, give each learner a copy of Buying and running a car: Unit 1 Activity 6 Buying a car checklist. Learners can use this to check their predictions.

Check understanding and encourage learners to use reference sources to check the meaning of new words.

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car This checklist is for learners to use independently. Stress the importance of getting a vehicle history check done in addition to doing

physical checks. If a dealer or private seller tells you that they have carried out a vehicle history check, make sure that you see the documents.

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Look at your options

Identify your own priorities for the car.

Research the possible insurance costs for the types of car you might be interested in.

Work out your budget for buying and running a car.

Research the payment options you have.

Decide on your preferred payment method,e.g. loan vs cash or cheque.

Research your choices

Use a car price guide checklist to check the price rangefor cars you are interested in.

Research the car market by using the internet, looking at car magazines or talking to other car owners.

Choose your preferred vehicle make and model(s).

Set up a finance arrangement or organise paymentfrom your own account.

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Contact sellers

Create a shortlist of possible private sellers and /or dealers.

Make a list of questions for each seller.

Get further information from sellers including details of car’s registration and MOT details.

Refine your shortlist of sellers.

View and test drive cars

Arrange daylight viewings and test drivesfrom the seller’s address.

Carry out all necessary checks including on the car’s history, registration documents, outstanding HP and accidents etc.

If buying from a dealer ask for a pre-sale inspection checklist or a description of the car’s condition.

Ask about checks for outstanding HP and accidents etc.

Check whether a MOT and tax disc are included and negotiate as part of price if necessary.

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Negotiate price and buy car

Make a decision and an offer.

Agree method of payment and date for collection.

Arrange your insurance cover.

Mirror, signal, manoeuvre - drive off in your new car.

Record the sequence you chose. Number each stage in the right-hand column of the table.

Look

at

your

opt

ions

Identify your own priorities for the car.

Research the possible insurance costs for the types of car you might be interested in.

Work out your budget for buying and running a car.

Research the payment options you have.

Decide on your preferred payment method, e.g. loan vs cash or cheque.

Rese

arch

you

r ch

oice

s

Use a car price guide checklist to check the price range for cars you are interested in.

Research the car market by using the internet, looking at car magazines or talking to other car owners.Choose your preferred vehicle make and model(s).

Set up a finance arrangement or organise payment from own account.

Cont

act

selle

rs  Create a shortlist of possible private sellers

and /or dealers.

Make a list of questions for each seller.

Get further information from sellers including details of car’s registration and MOT details.

Refine your shortlist of sellers.

View

and

tes

t dr

ive

cars

Arrange daylight viewings and test drive from the seller’s address.

Carry out all necessary checks including on the car’s history, registration documents, outstanding HP and accidents etc.If buying from a dealer ask for a pre-sale inspection checklist or a description of the car’s condition. Ask about checks for outstanding HP and accidents etc. Check whether a MOT and tax disc are included and negotiate as part of price if necessary.

Neg

otia

te p

rice

an

d bu

y ca

r

Make a decision and an offer.

Agree method of payment and date for collection.

Arrange your insurance cover.

Mirror, signal, manoeuvre- drive off in your new car.

Priorities when buying a car1. Before you start looking for a car you need to decide on your

budget. Remember that your budget needs to include: the upfront price of the car the cost of any essential extras the affordability of the running costs e.g. insurance, tax, the

cost of servicing and parts. Budget

Minimum price: £ _______ Maximum price: £________

2. Now you need to identify your own priorities for the car.What is essential (E), desirable (D) and unimportant (U)?Tick the relevant boxes in the table. You can add your own ideas for each section too:

3.

Man

ufac

ture

r Features E D U

preferred car manufacturer

high rating as manufacturer

Des

ign

no. of doors (insert) …………….

hatchback

saloon

van

people carrier

colour

S Features E D U

peci

ficat

ions

low CO2 emissions

specific engine size (insert) ……….

good fuel economy

miles on the clock

automatic

manual

age

Fuel

typ

e

liquefied petroleum gas

diesel

electric

hybrid

unleaded petrol

Equi

pmen

t

Features E D Uflexible seatingintelligent load layout/high capacity   automatic transmission    power steering    sunroof    electric windows      air conditioningalarm system   

satellite navigation  (sat nav) alloy wheelsblue toothhigh specification audio system MP3 player connectionaudio controls connected to steering wheel

Safe

ty

good safety recordairbags child-locks anti-lock braking system parking sensorscentral locking

Buying a car inspection checklist Use this checklist to help you decide if a used car is worth buying. If you answer ‘yes’ to a lot of questions, it may be best to walk away. If you don’t feel confident about doing these checks yourself, get an expert’s opinion.Remember, checking the physical condition of the car is important, but you should also get the history of the vehicle checked. See Buying and running a car: Unit 2 Essential information for how to do this. Yes √ or No X

Gen

eral

con

diti

on

Are sills, wheel arches and door bottoms rusty?Is paintwork failing?Any oil leaks or damaged hoses/drive belts under bonnet?Are tyres damaged or worn?Are seat belts worn out? Do they have faulty mountings?Do door and window seals show signs of leaking?Are electrics (lights, dashboard warning lights) faulty?

Acci

dent

sig

ns

Has it been in an accident?Have body panels been repaired?Is paintwork colour or texture patchy or different?Has welding been carried out on the engine/boot?Does the boot close properly all the way round?Has the boot been repaired (check under carpet)?

Iden

tity

ch

ange

Has the car’s identity been changed?Has the VIN number been tampered with?Is there scratched off glass on windows, head or tail lights, sun roof?Are windows etched with incorrect VIN?Do stickers conceal altered etching?

C l Has the car been clocked?

ocki

ngAre odometer numbers out of line?Is wear and tear heavy, given the mileage?Have pedal rubbers/gear knob/steering wheel been changed?Does the mileage reading match last MOT certificate, service documentation and when car was last sold?

Test drives Firstly make sure you are insured for a test drive. After the test drive, let the engine idle and open the bonnet.

Test

dri

ve

Are brakes defective?Does car pull to one side when you brake?Do brakes squeal?Are there other unusual noises?Is hand brake defective?Does steering wheel shake/vibrate?Does car pull to one side?Is changing gear difficult?Does gear lever skip when you brake or accelerate?Does clutch grab or slip?Does engine sound change if you press clutch when car idling?Is there a strong smell of petrol or oil?

Afte

r th

e te

st Does engine rattle or make other noise?

Are there water or oil leaks?Is there smoke from the exhaust?