Buying a secondhand car can be stressful. Will you bag a bargain - a well-loved used BMW or used Mercedes with practically nothing on the clock perhaps? - Or will you end up paying over the odds for an old banger? Whether you’re buying something smart and nearly-new or a bargain-basement runaround, make sure you get a good deal.

Do your homework

Before you even set foot on a forecourt, know the market value of the car you’re looking at. Consumer price guides are available online or at a local newsagent. Look at the prices for similar cars advertised in your area – is the price of the car you’re looking at in line with the general trend? Make sure you’re clued up on the different versions of this car: the most popular models, the desirable engine choices, equipment, must-have features and so on. These could all be good bargaining points. Would you want a luxury saloon without leather upholstery, a budget city car with a thirsty engine or a family car without a decent entertainment system – unless it was suitably cheap?

Check it out

If you’re not confident about your ability to spot a duff one, and you’re spending quite a sum of your hard-earned cash, consider a professional inspection. These are offered by the large breakdown organisations, typically for around £100.Or a trusted local mechanic may be able to give the car a once-over to set your mind at ease. A history check will ensure it has not been stolen, or written off by an insurance company, and that there is no outstanding finance owed on it.
Check the detail of the items inspected (services may differ) and the possible comeback you have if problems are later identified. If you’re buying from a garage or dealer, find out what sort of warranty they may offer. Newer cars sold through a manufacturer’s approved-used scheme, or from some large independent retailers, may come ‘pre-inspected’, with a menu of items assessed.
If you’re going it alone, then much of checking out a used car is simple common sense. Give it a good test-drive (make sure you’re insured), check all electrical and electronic features, and look for worrying signs of wear and tear, accident damage or rust. Make sure the car comes with all the correct paperwork, including its logbook (V5C), and check out its service history, old MoT certificates (which will help you verify its mileage) and receipts for any work done.
Be wary too of buying a car without spare keys or its ‘master’ immobiliser fob, and if the car has alloy wheels, make sure you have the appropriate tool to unlock and remove these.

Have a haggle

It’s always worth having a go at negotiating a lower price, especially if the car’s been on sale for a while – but don’t insult the seller. Factor in the cost of repairing any faults you’ve identified, ask to knock off the cost of a service if the car’s due up for one, and be polite and realistic – after all, you’ve done your research, and you know what the car is really worth.