You don't need to be a car enthusiast to understand there are loads of different car brands out there. The market is truly saturated with offerings from different manufacturers, and the weird thing is they all seem to make the same cars. You'll have ten or more brands all creating a similar supermini, multiple ones pumping out estates or saloons, and they all look very much alike. So, how do you know which brands are worth buying, and which ones to avoid?

It's a tricky question, but there are a few things you should take into account when making your decision.

How well-established is the brand?

Some manufacturers have been making cars for a very long time. Brands like Ford and BMW have been around for ages, establishing themselves as very trustworthy brands. The same goes for a whole host of other car brands, but you have some that are newer kids on the block. Does the newness of a brand mean it's worse than an older one? Not necessarily, but you do have more confidence buying a car from a company that's already made hundreds of different models.

One of the reasons for this is that the brand will have more reviews and ratings to call upon. There will also be communities that talk about the brand and can discuss common problems you might face. So, it's a lot easier for you to understand if an established brand can be trusted or not. This should let you buy your car with more confidence, avoiding any terrible mistakes.

What sort of target audience does the brand have?

You might wonder why this is important, but it plays a huge role in how cars are built. For instance, some brands are geared towards regular consumers that want reliable vehicles. You see lots of Japanese brands like this - they make cars that are designed for everyday life and suited to a 'normal' person's budget. As a result, all of the features included will be practical and useful in real-life scenarios.

Then, you have car brands that are aimed at a different sort of audience. Typically, they're aimed at big earners and people seeking out luxury or expensive cars. Brands like Lamborghini and Ferrari fall into this category, rarely offering features and designs that help out the average person. Your choice will depend on what sort of car you're looking for. If you need a car to drive to work every day, look for brands that align with this market and produce cars for that purpose.

How easy is it to get spare parts?

Next, you need to think ahead to any potential issues that you could come across. Cars don't last forever, and you can never know when an accident might happen. It might be an unlucky day where your parked car gets rammed into by another driver. Or, years of using your car causes a part to wear down and malfunction. In either scenario, you need spare parts to fix your car.

Now, certain brands have an abundance of spare parts that are easily accessible. However, other brands make it very hard for you to get your hands on what you need. It's much easy to buy, say, Toyota second hand parts than it is to find Maserati parts. In reality, you want to choose a brand that provides lots of spare parts when you need them. This ensures that any minor issues can be fixed, replacing the parts with ease. Otherwise, you may have to pay extortionate amounts to find replacement parts and wait ages for them to arrive. Or - even worse - your mechanic can't find any spare parts, so you're screwed. You can't fix a minor issue with your car, so you have to sell it and buy a new one.

Do they produce safe cars?

Always check the safety rating of a vehicle before you buy it. This lets you know how well-built a car is, and if it can keep you safe in times where accidents might happen. All cars have to go through different safety tests before they're sold, achieving a minimum standard. Then, they're given a safety rating that basically tells you how safe the car is - which you can compare to other cars, understanding which ones are the safest.

If you see a brand that constantly scores low on its safety ratings, does it make sense to buy a car from them? Surely, you would be better off seeking a brand that always has decent ratings. This is a key thing to consider when you get down to the nitty-gritty of choosing between two or more brands. You may like what they offer, they might all be established, but if one offers significantly safer cars than the others, it's worth siding with them.

Are they known for producing cars that last?

Ultimately, you're not asking for much when buying a car. You want something that's safe, provides all the functions you're after and lasts a long time. Many brands are known to produce cars that can last a very long time. You see the likes of Volkswagen and Vauxhall producing vehicles that stick around for generations. It's almost smart to compromise on the price of a car if you know it will last for a very long time. You spend more initially, but you save money by avoiding countless repairs and needing to replace your car every few years.

So, do some research into which car makers provide the longest-lasting cars. By doing this, you should also find out which ones provide cars with the worst longevity. Consequently, you'll know which brands to avoid and which ones to choose if you want a car that will last a long time.

This post wasn't meant as a way of promoting a particular car manufacturer. In truth, there are probably loads of brands out there better suited to you than others. The whole aim of this article is to help you figure out which brands might be the best. This way, you can buy a car that suits your needs and should last for a long time.