Getting a better motoring deal

Love them or hate them, car ownership is a fact of modern life. Unless you live in the middle of a town or city you will need a car to get to work or school, do the shopping or just visit friends.

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Buying second-hand

If you’re buying a second-hand car then it is important to take advantage of all the help you can get. But you could consider buying a nearly-new or ex-demonstrator instead of a brand new car. This can be a good way to reduce the effect of depreciation and the car’s warranty is also likely still to be effective.

  • Do a car data check to make sure that the car has not been written off, there is no outstanding finance and it is not stolen.
  • Check the service history to both satisfy yourself that it has been maintained properly and that the mileages and dates look consistent with the mileage indicated on the mileometer.
  • If you are buying privately, go with a mechanic or arrange an inspection to view the car so they can check it is roadworthy and worth the money.
  • You have the same rights buying second-hand as you do a new car from a dealer.
  • Research the make of car you are buying to find out any potential problems such as previous safety recalls. AA Car Buyer’s Guide will give you this information. Check that the recall has been carried out.
  • Check out the cost of insurance before you buy and the estimated running costs. What is its fuel consumption like, for example? What will it cost to service?
  • You may not be able to tell that a car has been ‘clocked’, i.e. its mileometer has been wound back to disguise the number of miles it has done. But you may be able to spot other things inconsistent with low mileage. These include a sagging driver’s seat, a steering wheel and gearknob made shiny by sustained use, pedal rubbers that have lost their tread and worn carpets all of which indicate heavy use.
  • Dull cars: you may lust after something sporty but if it’s reliable transport you need then it’s best to shy away from cars that hint of ‘boy racer’. Small-engined cars such as Nissans and Toyotas, for example, may not be exciting but they will offer low running costs.
  • Foreign imports. Generally, avoid cars not first registered in the UK, because they may have specification differences that will make parts and service tricky.