Build a shortlist around your actual week

Describe the job before choosing the car

Write down the trips you make regularly. Include where you park, who travels with you and what you carry. A vehicle that looks compelling in a review may be less suitable for the particular combination of spaces and routines that make up your week.

Separate essentials from preferences

Choose a few requirements that would rule a car out if they were missing. Keep desirable features in a separate list. This makes comparison clearer and helps prevent an appealing detail from distracting you from a practical limitation. The distinction is personal; there is no universal list that suits every driver.

Use consistent information

When comparing actual vehicles, record the same details for each one and confirm them with reliable documentation. Trim, equipment and condition can vary between apparently similar cars. Keep any unknowns visible rather than replacing them with assumptions from a different example.

Return to the ordinary day

Imagine loading your usual belongings, using your parking space and making your regular journeys. An in-person viewing and an appropriate independent assessment can answer questions that a specification list cannot. Use the shortlist worksheet to organize your notes, then verify the details before making a decision.