It can be a hassle looking for a new car, buying a house and even looking for a present for your friend’s birthday. Scouring shops can take up so much time and as time seems precious these days, researching becomes all the more important.

With over 76% of the UK population enabling their homes for Internet connections it is by far the quickest, easiest and most readily available resource. So here are a few tips that can help you with your online car searching.

It is so easy to surf the Internet at home whether it is in front of the TV, checking out the latest auctions at lunch, or having a quick look at local dealers before work. There are even APPs now available by most companies on the iPhone or Android that can also help you with your new or used car research.

Preparation is the key. What is the purpose of the car you want to buy- for work, general, long journeys? Does colour matter, interior styling, radio? Do you want electric windows, air-con? What are the insurance brackets of the models you are looking at? How big does the car need to be? Doing a little research on models, makes and manufacturers and by having a checklist of the features you want will make the search easier in the long run.

Consider your budget. There is no point wasting time by looking at cars that you cannot afford, or that will cost too much to run with high insurance costs you struggle to cover. When working out your budget, think about how new the car really has to be. For example: give yourself a certain ‘age range’ to look at.

By this point you will have some kind of checklist and will have a better understanding of how you can work your budget. Now we need to know about the industry, is it a good time to buy that new Volkswagen Touareg, Scotland is too far for a visit, right? What is going on in the used car industry today? What are my current options for buying a used car? This research is important because you need to understand how to get the best possible deal and whether this is a good time for you. There are many automotive newsletters and online magazines that have up-to-date information and will be able to answer your questions, if not visit your local Volkswagen dealer for advice.

Now, you have your checklist, you know it’s a good time to buy and what your options are, it is time to start looking. There are auction websites, online car supermarkets, new and used car listings and much more online. Keep an eye out for anything that fits your needs, consider other options but if the car is over your budget and you are compromising on a few important features because of it, let it go. It wasn’t meant to be.

By utilising the web-tools available to you, you will be able to build a good base for your search. Use the bookmark to remember pages you like, email yourself details, use the share buttons to post onto your Facebook page, use social networks to gain feedback on certain cars and to contact the companies too for more info. Sign up to newsletters and keep everything together in a virtual file that you can re-visit and make educated decisions based on the facts in front of you.

When you find the Volkswagen cars you really want to view (that are within easy reach), make a bunch of appointments and don’t settle on the local Volkswagen dealer, Aberdeen may seem like a good idea but if you live in Kent it may be a bit far. Ask for a couple of days grace once you have looked, go and see the final selection again if you need to and ensure you check each option out before making a final decision.