Where do you buy from?

Whether you intend to buy your car privately, from a garage, online or at an auction, there are different problems and pitfalls to look out for.

Buying a used car privately

• Don't buy a car on 'private sale' terms if you suspect the seller might be a dealer.
• If you call in response to an advert, say you're calling 'about the car you advertised'. If the seller has to ask which car, they may be a dealer.
• Be wary of adverts quoting mobile numbers or numbers that appear in several ads.
• Don't let the owner bring the car to you – view it at their home, in daylight.
• Does the seller really appear to be the owner?
• Is it their home?
• They should be familiar with the car and its controls.

Dealers selling used cars

• On the whole, a dealer with a new–car franchise for the make you're interested in is probably best, although there are many highly respected used–car dealers around.
• Choose an established dealership with a good reputation they'll want to maintain.
• Check that the extras a dealer includes, such as warranties, are competitively priced.
• The best way of finding a dealer is through personal recommendation.
• If you need to borrow part of the amount, don't automatically take the dealer's finance. It's always worth getting alternative quotes.
• It's vital to check the warranty:
• a mechanical breakdown warranty will probably cost extra and won't cover everything
• find out exactly what is and isn't covered, for how long and for how much.

Auctions for used cars

• It's best not to buy a used car at auction unless you know your way around an engine and you're aware of current price trends.
• Take someone with you – preferably someone familiar with auctions and who knows about cars.
• Go first as a spectator to get the feel of how auctions work.
• Read the terms and conditions of sale carefully.
• Don't get carried away bidding:
• stick to your budget
• factor in any seller's premium or other fees charged on top of the 'hammer price'.
• Test the car as soon as you can after you've paid – if there's anything wrong you'll only have a very short time in which to complain.

Online for used cars

• However tempting the offer, don't rush into making a purchase – you could save yourself a lot of time, trouble and money. Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Make notes of what's on offer:
• you can use them to compare cars
• they'll give you a written record of what's been agreed.
• Make sure that you know exactly who you're buying from:
• check the firm is credible and trustworthy
• if possible, see whether others have had positive dealings with the company.
• Read the small print before you click that 'Buy' button:
• if an online seller can't or won't offer 100% customer satisfaction, shop elsewhere.
• If you decide to buy, print off all details:
• this includes the seller's details, terms and conditions, quotes and the completed order form.
• Always get confirmation of your order by post, fax or email. As a minimum, your confirmation should give you an order number, the main specifications you've ordered, the price agreed and when the car should be delivered.