As you're starting the car buying journey, we want you to feel confident about the steps you need to take and relaxed about the whole process. So we've gone to the experts - Whatcar? - and we're featuring pages of help and advice from them right here for you.

We'd also like to try and save you some time and money on your car insurance. So, while you're here, get an online car insurance quote and find out how much you could save.

It's all very well kicking tyres on a forecourt or shopping in the showroom but that's no substitute for getting behind the wheel. A test drive is a vital part of the decision-making process – never buy a car without one. Here's how to get the most out of your test drive.

• If you’re comparing a wide range of cars, try to test-drive them back to back, or with the smallest gap between each. It’s difficult to remember how one car compares with the last if you drive them two weeks apart.
• Weekends are a bad time for test drives if you’re looking at a popular car from a dealership. Test-drive in the middle of the week when the dealership and the roads are quiet.
• Once you’ve decided on the best car for you, give it an extended test drive. A dealership will probably resist but push for at least a half-an-hour drive.
• Don’t just drive around the block, make sure you cover a variety of different road types. Try towns, country roads motorways and A roads to get a feel for how the car handles.
• If you have a bad back or suffer health issues, make sure you can easily get in and out of the car, and sit comfortably for a period of time.
• If the car is to be used as a family vehicle, make sure they all fit in the car, can easily get in and out, and check for cubby holes and storage space if you need to.
• If you have a hobby, or a particular need from your car, make sure you try it out properly.