When buying a second-hand car – whether online, through a dealer, or privately – there is always a slight risk involved, making your choice much more challenging. But keeping on top of the used car market prices, inspecting the vehicle, and taking it for a test drive aren’t the only boxes you’ll have to ensure the motor ticks – if you have a family – you’ll also want to ensure it suits your needs.
Not having a car suited to family life can make road trips a particularly trying aspect of parenting. But fortunately, this can be rectified as one of the best things about second-hand (or brand-new!) vehicles is that they can be customised to benefit everyone in the family.
From private number plates and state-of-the-art gadgets to rear-seat entertainment systems and conversation mirrors, there are hundreds of ways that you can transform your second-hand car into the family vehicle of your dreams. To make the process simpler, we outline several of the best ways to do so in our article below:
Private Number Plates
Making your family car more distinctive and easily recognisable will be a practical idea, as well as a fun one! This can be achieved by fitting the car with a custom number plate. Doing so gives your family car a personal touch since you can use your name, children’s initials or the date of your anniversary, birthday, or wedding to create the plate.
Not only can they help you personalise your car, but they can also make your vehicle easier to spot. Some can conceal the age of your car and add value to your vehicle. Consider customising yours by visiting suppliers’ sites like Regtransfers, and see how they could help customise your second-hand family car today.
Conversation Mirror
If you have more than one child, keeping one eye on them while the other is on the road can be tricky, even more so if they’re squabbling in the back or trying to converse with you while navigating a complicated roundabout. Consider adding a conversation mirror to your second-hand family car if this sounds familiar.
Depending on what make/model of your second-hand vehicle, some already come equipped with a conversation mirror, like the 2019 Honda Odyssey. However, don’t fret if yours doesn’t! Because you can always get a mechanic to install one for a nominal fee, so long as your second-hand vehicle has a sunglasses holder above the rear-view mirror.
With one of these installed, checking on your little ones in the back is much easier, and since it can be tucked away with a tap, it doesn’t have to take away from the aesthetic of your vehicle. Making long car rides more manageable for parents and ensuring that your second-hand vehicle suits you and your little ones’ needs.
Cargo Organisers
Nothing is worse than travelling seventy miles per hour on the motorway and hearing your child’s voice exclaim from their car seat that they want something, only to realise it’s in your handbag tucked behind the driver’s seat.
What happens next is that you either tell your child that they’ll have to wait until you’ve reached your destination and brace yourself for the onslaught of tears, or you’ll have to try and dig the desired item out of your handbag all the while keeping one hand on the wheel and both eyes on the road. Or you can avoid this hassle entirely by kitting your second-hand family car out with cargo organisers that rest over the back of your passenger and driver’s seats and allow you to store anything you need while travelling.
From extra pairs of shoes and school supplies to snacks and anything else your family might need while on a long car ride, cargo organisers ensure that your car keeps clean while making it easier for you to store items or grab them while on the go! Plus, the best cargo organisers are foldable and soft, so you can keep them elsewhere on those rare days when you go out without the kids!
Rear-Seat Entertainment
Nothing is quieter than a child holding an iPad or watching a tv show, so if your family is the kind that goes on long road trips often, why not consider getting a second-hand family car equipped with rear-seat entertainment?
As seen on aeroplanes, rear-seat entertainment systems are found on most new car models, so if you’re willing to spend a little more money to keep your little ones quiet, consider adding this feature to your dream family car checklist.
With features like DVD player compatibility, remote control options, gaming, and audio compatibility, a rear-seat entertainment system can keep your little ones occupied for hours, allowing you to focus on the road and not on keeping them entertained! Making them a perfect companion for family road trips and keeping within your and your children’s needs.