The Carlover Blog

Helping you find your next used car

What Are The Best Family Cars NI?

Best Family Cars UK
Keep your family safe and drive away happily.

The search for family suitable used cars in Belfast, NI can be hard, at Carlover, we like to make the process as simple as possible. Finding the right family car can be challenging as you need to consider safety features and if there is enough space for the whole family, and if it fits in with your lifestyle.

One of the most popular questions we hear from our used car dealerships Belfast wide is ‘What are the most family friendly cars?’ At Carlover we understand that families come in many different sizes, that have different needs and requirements. We have created a list of our top favourite family cars to help you find the one that is right for you.

The Most Family Friendly Cars NI

  1. Volkswagen Tiguan

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a comfortable car with 5 seats. This is a practical family car with plenty of space inside and the boot has enough space where you can fit everything you need. This car is comfortable to drive and feels secure driving on fast roads such as the motorway and has a range of safety features, including automatic emergency city braking. 

Not only does this car focus on family safety, but it also has a range of entertainment features that will make those long journeys more enjoyable. This car is kitted out with an easy to use touchscreen dashboard, ApplePay and Android Auto that can connect to your favourite apps, smartphone connectivity and a built in sat-nav. There are also reversing cameras and parking sensors that help you to safely park when your children are in the back seats.

  1. Kia Ceed

If you are searching the market for a family hatchback, the Kia Ceed should definitely be on your shortlist. This car is reasonably priced, it is easy to drive and has a spacious interior. Within this car there are plenty of useful storage spaces and a large boot that can easily fit your family’s weekly shopping, luggage and other essentials. 

The Kia Ceed is the perfect car for longer journeys and is comfortable to drive. There is faster steering and a firm suspension meaning that the car doesn’t lean to the side at corners and absorb lumps and bumps. These features are ideal for those with younger children in the back seats.

  1. SEAT Leon

The Seat LEON is a five seater car and is about the same size as its main competitors, the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf. This car has been a big hit with families across the UK with over 250,000 sold. The exterior is designed with a slick and youthful look that will stand out from the crowd. 

When it comes to spacing you will not be disappointed. This car has a 380 Litre boot that offers plenty of space for your essentials and any extra luggage. The Seat LEON is fun to drive and the car doesn’t cost much to run which is great news for parents!

  1. Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a reliable and practical family hatchback that has been around for generations. The car’s sporty exterior design helps the Honda Civic to stand out from other family car models and will turn heads when you are out on the road. 

Not only is this vehicle fun to drive but it is comfortable to drive over bumps in the road due to its suspension system. The Honda Civic has a balance of feeling sporty to drive and offering comfort for all of the family. The interior of the car offers plenty of room, with a large boot that can easily fit large bags and any essentials that you need for longer journeys.

  1. Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is a top runner when it comes to the family hatchback. This car has a spacious interior that will comfortably fit three passengers in the back seat and a large boot that can hold all of the family’s essentials.

The cars sales charts are dominated by the Ford Focus in the UK due to its reliability and low running costs. If you are concerned about the safety of your family car, this isn’t something you have to worry about with the Ford Focus. They have a range of safety features, including an evasive steering assist, autonomous emergency braking, two cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors. This will help to give parents peace of mind when they are driving with their children in the back seats.

When you are choosing a car for your family there is so much to consider. Not only do you have to think about the safety of your loved ones, but you also should consider your lifestyle and the daily journeys to work and the school run.

Used Cars NI

If you are ready to start shopping for a new family friendly car, Carlover is the place to find your used cars NI wide. We have something to suit everyone’s needs.


If you would like to know more information about any of the family cars we have mentioned above, get in touch with a member of our team today or alternatively you can drop an enquiry with any of the dealerships listed on Carlover.

Top 5 Economical Used Cars NI

Fuel efficiency is a popular topic of conversation across Northern Ireland, so naturally economical used cars commonly feature in these conversations. Car buyers are becoming more aware of the effect that their vehicles are having on the environment and are opting for more economical models.

At Carlover we have a range of used cars NI can rely on, ones that will do less damage to the environment in the long term and will also save drivers on road tax bills due to the low emissions.

Here is a list of our top 5 economical used cars NI and how they can help us to become a fuel saving nation.

What Used Cars Are Best For First Time Buyers

Used Cars NI

You’ve passed your driving test, and now it’s time to reach that milestone of buying your first car. Buying a brand new car can be a tempting option, however this is too expensive for most first time buyers. There is a great variety of used cars Belfast that are on the market  that are easy to drive and cost effective to run. At Carlover we have a range of used cars in dealerships across Northern Ireland that are perfect for those who are excited to get on the road. Here is our list of what used cars are best for first time buyers if you have just passed your test.

The Best Used Cars of 2021 UK

Purchasing a car is one of the most expensive purchases that most people will spend their savings on, so we bring you this list of the best used cars in Belfast. The demand for used cars is now stronger than ever due to manufacturing stalling in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic. However just because you are buying a used car, it shouldn’t feel like you are opting for second best.

With thousands of used cars NI wide on sale at the Carlover trusted car dealers, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on what type of car you are looking for, we have highlighted the best used cars of 2021 UK to help make that big decision a lot easier.

Used Cars NI vs New Cars NI

Used Cars Northern Ireland

Used cars Northern Ireland wide are trending, with sales rising through the roof due to shortages that have halted the manufacturing of new cars. Some people don’t mind a used car, but for others, a new car, straight from the dealership, shiny, new car smell is a dream, a goal in fact. 

However, if you were to sit back and compare new cars to used cars, are they really worth it?

In many cases choosing a brand new car over one that has been well-maintained and advertised as a used model can result in you losing money.

Depreciation is the first factor that makes a used car potentially a better purchase than a new one. The rate at which a car’s value depreciates after it has been driven away in the UK is around one fifth of it’s value.

A graph of a car’s depreciation will resemble the ramp for a ski jump, excluding collectibles and exotic cars of course. In other words, it will begin with a dramatic decline, as the fastest rate of depreciation occurs in the first three years of practically every car on the market.

As the automobile gets older, the rate slows down, but by the time it reaches its third birthday, it’s usual for a car to be worth half of its original purchase price. So, if you can buy a car that is already on its way down, you’ll be able to lessen the impact on yourself.

However, as most cars get older, the news on depreciation improves, with the rate slowing down noticeably after three years. You’ll still have to deal with it, but you’ll almost certainly get back a bigger percentage of what you spent in the first place for a car that’s three years old or older.

Warranty

Depreciation and the exit from the safe guarded warranty stage of a car’s life cycle is a part of the process when buying a new car, but you should also keep in mind that as a car ages, it’s more prone to acquire flaws due to ordinary wear and tear.

If the car has been properly repaired and appropriately looked after, you may still be able to benefit from the remaining amount of an original manufacturer’s guarantee within the first few years, with some manufacturers, a lot longer.

In saying this, there are a lot of used car dealerships that collaborate with other firms that offer both statutory and extended used car warranties. 

We have built relationships with some of the best car dealers in Belfast and beyond, so if your decision for purchasing a used car or a new car comes down to the warranty factor, it isn’t as straightforward as just going for new.


Kia is a great example of a manufacturer offering a long warranty, they have upped the standard when it comes to new vehicle coverage, so if you locate a well-maintained used Kia, you may be eligible for the original manufacturer’s warranty against significant defects which means you are getting an even better deal. Less push on the pocket and reduced risk.

However, you should always inquire about any remaining warranty on any used car you’re considering, as this may be transferred to you, giving you vital coverage against mechanical issues without having to pay extra for an aftermarket warranty.

Production flaws

Production flaws in new cars are more common than you might think, with millions of cars being recalled every year in the UK. In new cars, you may fall into this category, but with used cars, these issues have most likely already been addressed or worked out of the system by the time it is two or three years old and that is one worry off your shoulders.

Used Cars: Price

Of course, a used car is almost always less expensive than a new one. So, if you have a limited budget, it’s simple to find vehicles that fit within it.

Keep in mind that you’ll almost certainly need to factor in the annual cost of car insurance as well as the keeping the car maintained and of course, fuelled.

You may drive a fantastic bargain if you go into the process of buying a used car with your eyes open, aware of the primary hazards that can be buried in even the most well-presented vehicle, and if you choose a dealership with a track record of working hard to generate satisfied return customers.

Our trusted used car dealerships Northern Ireland wide include:

Make your money go further with Carlover, reputable, trusted used cars, time and time again. The platform for searching and acquiring used cars NI can rely on.

Belfast Used Cars: How To Budget For A New Car.

For most people, investing in a car is the second biggest decision after their home, that’s why we supply used cars Belfast wide, cars that suit all budgets. Buying a car can have a big effect on your budget, especially if it is not done correctly. Spending time considering your budget and the type of used car that fits in with your spending will help to make your final decision stress-free.

At Carlover, we understand that each customer will have different requirements when it comes to their cars, from the number of miles they drive each week to their monthly budgets. Here is a handy guide on how to budget for a car that will make visiting your local used car dealership and your purchasing experience a lot easier!


Used Cars Belfast & Beyond: The Pitfalls To Avoid

The cost effect used car trend sweeping the nation.

“Cost effective” is one way that buying a used car NI wide is referred to as. So long as the car is in good shape and suits your needs that is. Carlover is on hand, taking you through the top ten pitfalls to avoid. When buying a used car, it can be tempting to grab that really good, ‘too good to be true’ deal on Gumtree from a private seller, which could be the case. Unless you’re experienced in buying used cars privately or have someone at hand who is, you are better served buying used family friendly cars, and used first time buyer cars that are supplied by reputable dealers – eliminating the chance of a problematic  used car.

A couple of our trusted used car dealers Belfast and Beyond:

Used Cars Northern Ireland: The Why and How of the Price Hike.

The Price Hikes for New and Used Cars Are Sweeping The Nation.

Used Cars Northern Ireland
Used Car Prices: The Surge

Car dealerships are seeing a surge in the prices of used cars Belfast wide. The first eight months of 2021 showed the average cost of used cars throughout the UK had risen by 16.6%. As the prices of used cars have risen to unprecedented levels, drivers are now paying more money than ever before to purchase a second-hand vehicle.

Buying a used car in 2021 has never been more daunting, however the team at Car Lovers will explain the circumstances behind the price hike in used cars, the why and how.

The Rise in New and Used Car NI Prices During the Pandemic

Throughout the covid-19 pandemic cars were in high demand as people were wary of using public transport and key workers were purchasing cars to make their journeys to and from work easier. However, now that the lockdown restrictions are slowly lifting, the demand for used cars is just as high as it was in the height of the pandemic.

All You Need To Know About Used Cars NI Wide

Used Cars NI, the nation utilising this new trend and the reasons why: 

It’s fair to say that the past two years have really shaken the shopping habits of the nation, ultimately affecting many industries and the car industry is no different! Things like accessibility and affordability are to blame for rise in popularity of used cars Northern Ireland wide .

  1. Accessibility

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 2 years, you’re going to know about the global shortage in supplies as a result of Covid-19. This global shortage has had a knock-on effect on the car manufacturing industry as computer chips used in car production as well as other materials such as copper, aluminium and cobalt has led to fewer new cars rolling off production lines.

Used Car Reviews

Used Cars NI Wide: Why They Matter

In today’s society, used car reviews across major brands play a vital role in influencing a customer’s purchasing decision. Used Car Buyers spend 11¾ hours online out of 15¼ hours (77%) to research the major car brands, their features, price ranges and most importantly reading reviews to help them make a final decision on what type of used car they should go for.

Although you can find plenty of reviews for used cars Northern Ireland online, reading reviews from previous customers is seen as a more reliable source compared to professional reviews or statements that brands have released about their latest models.