Top tips for buying a used car

Every year, thousands of young people pass their driving test and buy a small, second-hand car that becomes their ticket to freedom. However, it's easy to rush the buying process and choose a car that could soon become an un-safe, expensive thing to own. Therefore, being sensible and taking the time to find the perfect car can pay off in the long run.

Firstly, compare cars you find on the internet or in the newspaper and get to know what type of car you can get for your money. This way, if certain cars stand out as being too expensive or with too low mileage, you'll learn to be wary.

Secondly, check the mileage of the car and compared against the age of it. If it seems suspiciously low, the odometer may have been tampered with and on older cars there can be obvious signs, such as worn screws or marks in the dashboard. The car's service history may provide details of the different points at which the car has been serviced, so ask to see any documentation the owner may have.

Viewing a car in the rain or at night can make it difficult to spot scratches, small dents or other marks, so make sure to check it over carefully at a time when anything like this will be visible.

Check that the important documentation for the car is available - such as a valid MOT certificate, insurance certificate and the V5 Vehicle Registration document.

Ask about the history of the car and, if possible, get a history check done to see if the seller is actually the owner or if the car has been written off before.

Test all the car's features to make sure they work and consult the vehicle handbook on operations you're not familiar with. Do the important features work - such as windscreen wipers, indicators and the horn? Are there any bulbs out? Also, check the security systems of the car, like the central locking and the immobiliser, to make sure they're properly working.

Check inside for marks or signs of damp (especially in a car with a sunroof) as this may lead to problems later. Smaller, grubby marks may easily wash off, but take care and inspect anything suspicious.

Test-driving a car before buying it will give you the best idea of how it drives and if there are any unnoticable problems. So organise or insist on driving the car first and here you can test the mechanics of the car such as the brakes, handbrake, clutch and gear box.

Lastly, be sure about the car before handing over any money and, if organising a delivery, be sensible about paying the full amount and choosing when to accept delivery. Check there are no hidden costs (like delivery, for example) and if there is room to negotiate on the price, then haggle with the seller to see if you can save any money.

As an investigation into the different types of used cars available today, I managed to organise a viewing of a second-hand car that someone was selling on the internet. I wanted to get an idea of what type of car you can buy on a certain budget and how important it is to check it over before buying it.

Here's what I found...

There are different ways you can go about buying a used car. There are many used car search engines on the internet, like Auto Trader, that will provide a list of suitable vehicles, based on your requirements, being sold by private owners and trade sellers. Also, used car garages or used car companies will display their entire list of vehicles on their website, which makes for easy browsing during the early stages. Supermarket giant, Tesco, has recently launched a used car business selling hundreds of nearly-new cars through its website but there is no option to test-drive a car before you buy it as you have to look at it on the internet and pay for it there and then if you want to buy it. Although this cuts out the hassle of arranging viewings and test-drives for every buyer, it's not the most ideal way to purchase such an expensive item. Therefore, choose a company or a seller that will allow you to view the car and check it's history when you go to buy.

Used cars are also sold at auctions but you have to know what you're doing before entering an auction room to buy a car. Mostly, potential buyers are given information on each available vehicle, including pictures, and only sometimes will the vehicles be on display to be viewed. Otherwise, when the car comes up that you want to buy, you have to move quickly and judge the room carefully. But if you haven't had a chance to view the vehicle properly, you'll be buying it blind and this is when you could run into problems.

Buying through a used car dealer usually means you're buying from a person or a company with experience. A dealer will have to know a great deal about cars which means you can ask them questions if you are unsure about anything. They will also be used to working in the industry and will set their prices according to market trends, meaning it is unlikely that you'll pay either above or below the common price for a particular car. Dealers are also knowledgeable and would be on hand to offer general advice about buying a used car. Private sellers, on the other hand, can range from someone who knows about cars and could tell you about the car they are selling, to someone who knows nothing about the car apart from the make and colour of it. This is where you have to be careful, because if there are any problems with the car then they would not be able to explain it properly and it could be worse than it seems.

There are some really good bargains on second-hand cars, however, if the right research is done. In some cases, it can be worth spending a lot less money than on a brand new car for just a few years difference in age. But, especially for a young driver, once that car is yours, you are free on the open road.