Practical or leisure? From the compact city car to the sport coupé, estate or MPV, it's important to think about your personal circumstances for the next 3-5 years so that you pick a model that best matches your needs. Even though, according to Eurostat, Luxembourg's fleet of cars is one of the newest (a quarter of cars are less than 2 years old), this also means that 75% of cars are older than that. There's therefore a good chance that you will keep your car for several years, and so you should plan ahead with your family in mind.

A key factor when choosing your fuel type is your mileage, as well as the kind of journeys you make. For anything above 12,500 miles per year, a diesel engine would be more advantageous. This type of engine is also recommended if you tend to travel long distances (on motorways).

Do you normally travel short or medium distances? If so, a petrol car would be a better option.

Do you travel short or medium distances (but mainly in the city) and care deeply about the environment? In that case, an electric car is better suited for you. As well as having zero emissions, you'll also benefit from a tax allowance. Be sure to keep an eye on your range because the charging network is still in the process of being rolled out. It's also worth noting that, by 2020, the Chargy network will include 1,600 e-mobility parking spaces within Luxembourg, usually located close to public and administrative buildings... Ideal for parking while recharging!

Do you travel short/medium distances... care about the environment... but don't want to be held back by the range of your vehicle? A hybrid car might therefore be the one to choose (whether plug-in or otherwise). This type of car is available in both petrol-electric and diesel-electric versions.

Overall, sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are continuing to grow in Luxembourg, thanks in particular to the efforts of leasers and tax breaks, and now account for 4% of all new sales.

It should be added that there are other fuels that are just as ecological but less common, such as natural gas or hydrogen. However, care should be taken to ensure that you are located in a region with an available supply and/or public car parks catering for these types of engines.

It's not easy to choose faced with so many options and packages. In addition to the leisure aspects, remember that some options (leather, air-conditioning) will give the car a higher trade-in value, whereas others (bigger wheel rims, more powerful engine) will sometimes result in higher running costs (tyre replacement, fuel consumption, taxes).

From a safety perspective, both passive and active, there are countless options. Some makes already offer good standard equipment. Take this factor into account. In addition, some safety equipment makes you eligible for special insurance rates, which can represent big savings!

According to Statec's 2018 figures, Luxembourg's automotive market is flourishing; it reached a new record for the second year in a row with a total number of 52,811 cars registered last year.