My Motorpoint Experience - Test driving the perfect car

This is a paid collaboration with Motorpoint

The first car I had when I moved to the UK was a 1975 Austin Mini, which I loved but it wasn't exactly in the best condition and while it was great fun to drive when I was a carefree twenty-something it quickly became apparent it wouldn't cut the mustard as a family car, in fact, I couldn't even find a car seat that would safely fit in it.

Finding the right car to fit your needs can be quite tricky, but with Motorpoint's motto "car buying made easy" they take a lot of the stress and pressure out of finding the right car for you. I got to experience this first-hand recently as I was invited to come along to Motorpoint's Newport branch to test drive one of their vehicles. Taking a test drive is a must when you're looking to purchase a car & while we can look at different models and makes online you really cannot make a decision without trying it out first-hand to see if it really suits your needs.

For those unfamiliar with Motorpoint, they are a nationwide company with 17 stores across the UK, as well as online and specialise in nearly new cars. They have a huge variety of cars including cars, vans and electric cars, along with their impressive price promise that they can't be beaten on price.

 

What am I looking for in a family car?

My boys and I love to explore near and far, we are always off on some kind of adventure so for me personally, it needs to be a practical, reliable and economical car and while it doesn't need to be a big it does need to have decent boot space to fit our bags, occasional camping gear etc. I'm also on the petite side, being only 4ft11, so having a car I feel safe & comfortable driving is very important.

I was really excited to see what was going to be on offer at Motorpoint Newport and what car we would have the chance to test drive. The drive from my home to the Newport Branch was just under 30 mins and was easy and straightforward to find. On arrival, we had a warm welcome from the staff, who chatted with us about our needs when it came to finding the right family car and my boys really enjoyed looking at all the different cars (my eldest’s eyes lit up when he saw the newer Mini Coopers).

After filling in the necessary paperwork and temporary insurance, it literally took 5 minutes, we were ready to take a test drive. As mentioned earlier, having a car that is economical, especially in the current climate is a real priority for me so I was really excited to be test driving the Ford Puma Ecoboost Hybrid in Frozen white. My first impression was how chic & snappy the car looked while still being very practical and with just over 4000 miles on the clock meant, this really was a nearly new vehicle.

Our Test Drive Experience

Motorpoint offers free test drives seven days a week (you will need to provide a driving licence & a second proof of identity such as a bank card or passport). Most test drives last around 20mins although we were lucky enough to be able to take out the Ford Puma for around 2hrs, for the purpose of this more in-depth review & to really get to grips with the car and if it would be something that would fit our busy and active lifestyle as well as have a full Motorpoint experience.

We decided to visit the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre which was around a 15min drive from Motorpoint but was the perfect spot for a picnic with views across the countryside and a walk along the historical Mon and Brec canal towpath.

The team at Motorpoint had put a few goodies, drinks and treats in the car boot for our picnic along with a lovely picnic blanket which really came in handy as we enjoy lying back on the grass and soaking up some of the welsh sunshine.

 

What did we think of the Ford Puma Ecoboost Hybrid?

Firstly, my kids loved how modern and tech-savvy the interior was with built-in Sat-Nav, rear parking sensors, electric folding mirrors, Bluetooth and DAB radio, many features which we don't have on our current car but would be a welcomed addition. I really loved how smooth and quiet the drive was along with how comfortable the seats were and that making the right adjustments to suit my small stature wasn't an issue at all.

I also really like that it's a self-charging hybrid which supports the petrol engine and in short means impressive fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions with no compromise when it comes to driving performance. I found myself quickly feeling relaxed and enjoying my time driving this car because I don't know about you but it can be quite anxiety-inducing driving a new vehicle, but this wasn't the case at all. Also, I have to mention that despite this being a car on the smaller side it has plenty of space in the boot for all our bits and bobs.

 

Why test drives are so important

We buy everything online these days but there are a few occasions when making a purchase in person is essential and one of those is when we buy a car. I have owned a variety of cars over the years from a small mini and Uno Fiat to a larger Mazda Bongo Van and now an Audi Avant and with each and every purchase it’s so important to do a test drive to get a real feel for the vehicle and make sure it fits you personally, your needs and feels safe to drive.

With Motorpoint, all their vehicles undergo a thorough inspection before they go on sale. All checks are complete to MOT regulations, and you can drive away knowing that no MOT is due for at least 6 months. They also offer a 14-day money-back guarantee, giving you peace of mind if you find out that the car really isn't for you in those first few days. Nearly all the cars also come with a Manufacturer's warranty, in fact the Ford Puma came with a 24months warranty.

The Motorpoint Price Promise

They also offer part-exchange on older cars, finance options and their price promise if you find the same age and specification car for less somewhere else they will refund you the difference and give you a £50 amazon voucher. Rest assured they are committed to giving you the best options when it comes to your vehicle needs.

The boys and I had a fantastic time getting to see first-hand the process of purchasing a nearly new car & how knowledgeable the Motorpoint staff are. I would without a doubt recommend Motorpoint if you are in the market for a nearly new vehicle.

I test drove the from Motorpoint and if you're in the market for a car, head over to their website or go into your local store and have a browse.

Motorpoint Newport, Meadows Rd, Newport NP19 4SS