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.

If you have bad credit problems, you may find it difficult to get financing to help you when you need to buy a new car. Bad credit car finance loans can provide a solution to this problem, as they offer car loan programs designed especially for people with bad credit history. This loan will take the format of a secured loan, which is much less reliant on credit checks, and the car itself will act as the security. This means there is less risk on behalf of the lender, as they will be able to recover the vehicle if you should default on your payments.

The interest rates for bad credit car loans can be very high, and this is partly fuelled by depreciation on the vehicles, but the auto loan industry is very competitive so if you look around you should find some better deals.

Before you apply for a bad credit auto loan you should check your credit rating for yourself to ensure it is accurate. You can do this by writing to one of the relevant credit bureaus, such as Trans Union or Experian UK, and you may be asked to pay a small administration charge of around £2.

Research loans before you go to the dealers, as they take a cut of all car financing deals that they arrange. It can often be cheaper if you go directly to the finance company, and have the loan already in place before you walk into the dealership. If you have a bank account or mortgage, make sure you approach them to see if they can offer you any deals as one of their existing clients. Many companies specialize in this type of loan and offer guaranteed car finance deals, whatever your credit rating.

When you have chosen a loan that will suit your needs, make sure you borrow enough money to get the best car you can. There is no point buying a second rate vehicle just because it is initially cheaper, as the potential repair and servicing charges could end up costing you much more in the long run. Only buy cars in top condition, and always query anything you are unsure about. If you do discover a problem with the car, agree with the dealer that it will be fixed before you continue with the purchase. Try and purchase cars with at least a 6 months warrantee from the dealership whenever possible.

Aquapel® is an innovative, long lasting rain repellent glass treatment that significantly improves driver visibility. This treatment causes rain to bead up upon contact with glass and run straight off. Aquapel® also makes it easier to keep the surface clear of dirt, snow and ice, and also reduces glare both at night and during the day. Just one treatment can last up to 6 months in most typical driving conditions.

Aquapel® treatment uses technology developed in the aviation industry, and unlike other silicone-based glass treatments, it contains fluorinated compounds that bond with the glass to increase water repellency, so that rain is easily shed from the surface. Aquapel® can be applied to a dry, clean windshield, or any other type of exterior glass surface in just a few minutes, and lasts up to 6 times longer than the standard silicone-based treatments.

Aquapel® windshield rain repellent will remain effective after your normal cleaning routine, even if you normally use an automated car wash. Because it bonds directly with the glass upon application, it is unaffected by most common car cleaning agents, such as ammonia-based cleaners.

Aquapel® treatments are easy to stock, and can be applied to all makes and models of vehicles. It can be installed in minutes, both indoors or out (in dry weather) and you don’t need to purchase any additional tools or have any specialist training to apply this product.

To find an Aquapel® dealer you can visit the company website at Aquapel.com, and enter your zip code on the Aquapel® dealer database. If you would like to become an Aquapel® dealer, then you can sign up on the website, or you can contact Aquapel® directly at 1-800-861-4999.

The 2009 Toyota Prius model is the third generation of Toyota’s gas-electric hybrid, and will be available as a 4-door, 5 passenger family sedan. Three basic trims will be offered, starting at the standard 1.5 litre, 110 horsepower basic hybrid engine, with variable speed automatic transmission and overdrive. They have developed new lithium-ion batteries for their future Prius models, which will replace the current nickel metal hydride batteries. These new batteries will be lighter (sized reduced by nearly 50%) and longer lasting, and are said to be the most powerful and efficient hybrid car battery yet developed. However recent delays to the launch of the 2009 Prius have led to some industry experts predicting that the new Lithium ion batteries are not yet ready for commercial release, and so it is likely that Toyota engineers will have to retro-fit the 2009 Prius with the old nickel metal hydride batteries from the 2007 model.

The styling of the new Prius has been updated, to get away from the ‘brick’ shape of the previous models like ford. The most striking feature is the new curved line in the hood of the car, resembling a little ‘smile’, and also sharper detailing on the headlamps and throughout the profile. This is an improvement on the previous models, and the eccentric back end of the 2007 Prius has been toned down a little, but there is nothing radical or very exciting about the new Prius, and it remains in looks a very mid range, typical family sedan.

The 2009 Prius is set to retail at around £20,000, and as yet Toyota have not made any plans to release a people carrier version. Toyota representatives have said that it is not currently possible to accommodate the hybrid batteries in a people carrier format, but hopefully when the new, smaller lithium-ion batteries are finished this design option could be considered in the future autos expo.

In France car hire is a simple and pleasant way of getting around during your visit, as French roads are first class and outside of the major cities the traffic is quiet and flows very smoothly. France is one of the most popular European destinations, and there are a good range of competitive car hire services available that should suit all budgets. If you are on a low budget then there are some excellent economy range, compact vehicle packages available from most hire companies, which are ideal for short trips and small families. If you are staying in more remote, rural locations then it might be a good idea to hire a four wheel drive vehicle, or for larger families one of the minivan packages. For those who have an unlimited budget, there are also some companies that specialize in hiring out luxury vehicles, such as top of the range saloons and sports convertibles.

It is a good idea to reserve a hire car before you arrive at your destination, to ensure that a vehicle to suit your budget is available. You can phone to book, or these days most hire companies have websites that you can make bookings through. When choosing a hire car package, think about how many passengers you will have, and also allow for any luggage. Also you will need to think about how many kilometers you intend to travel as some hire companies request an approx estimation of this upon booking, and longer distances could affect the booking price. Always book in the name of the main driver, and most hire companies will require a credit card to secure the booking.

When you pick up the hire car you will need your driving license, and also the credit card you made the booking in, as this will be the proof of your booking. Double check the booking quote and ask for a print out of the hire contract you sign, so that you can compare this with the charges on your card when you get home. This will help you ensure no additional charges have been made, and it is important to note that most hire companies in France will only accept payment by credit card, and not a cheque or cash.

Be sure to check both the interior and exterior of the vehicle carefully before you leave the hire car offices, to ensure there is no previous damage that is not mention on the contract. You could end up paying for this when you return the car if it is not agreed with the booking clerk before you leave, and as hire car companies can charge up to 200 Euros for damaged mirrors alone, this could prove to be very expensive.