Second hand cars can be a sensible financial investment, as the depreciation is much less than on newer cars, and you can get some great deals on older top range models. However buying a second hand car is not an exact science and even experienced buyers get it wrong sometimes, but there are a few general rules you can follow to give you the best chance of getting the most for your money.

Before you go out and look at any cars make sure you set yourself a realistic budget and have the finance in place. Hard cash can be a vital bargaining tool with sales agents, and also a necessity if you are thinking of buying a privately sold car from the classified ads.

Once you have set your budget, do some research into used car prices and see what models you will be able to afford. Find out as much as you can about these vehicles, so you will know what to look out for when you are in the showroom. For example a second hand Ford Mondeo is a good mid range choice, and an recent 1.8/2.0 litre with around 50,000 miles on the clock should set you back no more than £4,500, maybe £5,500 if it is in really good condition. With Mondeos you will need to check the underside of the doors for rust, as untreated chips and knocks in this area quickly leads to door panel corrosion, and professional treatments and resprays can be very expensive. Also the TDCi engines can suffer from idling and misfiring problems, which is usually caused by ECU malfunctions. Check for lots of smoke out the back and a high oil consumption, as this will most likely mean the turbo oil seals need replacing.

Generally when you are inspecting any second hand vehicle the first thing you will need to do is check that the engine plate corresponds with the registrations documents. Look out for tampering in this area, such as scrape marks or very new plates on the engine. If you have any suspicions just walk away. Next you will need to test drive the car, so make sure you take it on a good run to test all the gearing (don’t forget reverse), acceleration, idling and brakes.

Always view a car in daylight and take time to look over the bodywork. All cars over 5 years old are vulnerable to rust and although surface bubbles are usually easily treated, corrosion on the interior body panels, side sills, chassis and engine bay can spell some serious expense in the future. Also keep an eye out for any signs of crash repairs. Lighter coloured areas, ripples and changes in the texture of paintwork can indicate repairs, as well as any warping on the sub frames, engine casings or inside the boot, and any welding marks under the carpets.

Check the odometer, and see if the mileage matches the overall condition of the car. Heavily worn gear levers and driver’s seats generally indicate a car that has done over 60,000 miles. Very low mileage cars that are over 5 years old may have been left for long periods of time, which can affect engine performance. Cars with more miles on the clock that have been used and service regularily are usually a lot more reliable.

Once you have checked the car and all the paperwork over, and are satisfied that it is in good condition you can then think about making an offer. If you have a car to trade in, don’t mention this straight away, try and get a discount on the one you want to buy first. Also if you are purchasing from a trader then it is a good idea to try and get a warrantee included in the sales price. If you are buying from an independent seller and they are not the person named on the registration document, then you must get a signed written confirmation from them, to prove that they are authorised to sell the vehicle on the owners behalf.

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