Buying a used car

Simple saver

According to Glass's Guide - the motor trade bible - one-year-old cars typically retail for around 60% of their original cost. Buy a one-year-old Nissan Micra and you'll probably save around £4,500 on the original list price. The average new Ford Mondeo buyer is losing at least £5,000 in the first year of ownership - even after initial discounts are taken into account. The first owner's loss can be your gain - but the advantage of buying a one-year-old rather than a three-year-old car is you still have the bulk of the manufacturer's warranty in the event of mechanical problems.
Advanced saving tips

1. Head for a motoring "supersite"

If you know little or nothing about cars, the easiest way to buy second-hand (for cars three years old and over) is to head to one of the car supersites - cargiant.co.uk (based on a 23-acre site in west London) probably has the biggest stock and, rather crucially, it's cheap too. Here you can stroll around and take your pick of literally thousands of cars, open them up and sit in them. There are no pushy salesmen, as prices are fixed. It's a great place to compare rival models - you can stay all day until you have made a decision. Many of the biggest bargains come with high mileages, but this should not put you off; just ensure the service history is complete. The main advantage of buying in this way is you have some consumer protection if the car fails soon after. When you get home, ask a mechanic to look it over - any major faults and back you go.

2. Employ a professional to buy at auction

Car auctions are not for the faint-hearted, and unless you have a strong knowledge of both cars and auctions, are probably best avoided. However, the prices at the moment are very attractive - one solution is to use a professional auction buyer to bid on your behalf. Joe Dowd, who trades as auctioncarbuyer.co.uk, is the best known - simply tell him what you want and he'll do the rest. And because he pays trade commission, it won't cost you much more than if you had bought it yourself.

3. Buy privately, with care

Again, it helps here if you know what you are doing - "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) is very much the order of the day. If you've never bought a car privately before, get some assistance. Autotrader.co.uk is easily the main listing site to find used cars, although local papers can still be a good source, and eBay is trying to develop a market in used cars too. The main advice is to go with your instincts - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Check the car's condition closely, look at the old MOTs, go though the service bills properly. Ask lots of questions - such as about the tax - and check the tyres. If you have any doubts, walk away. The great thing about used cars sales is that there are always plenty more to choose from. For more detailed buying advice, go to honestjohn.co.uk.

4. Get the car properly checked before you buy

If you'd like to get a mechanic to look at your chosen car, consider paying for a proper check. The AA will examine your prospective purchase from £122 for a basic check or £165 for something more serious, if you are a member (for non-members it's £136 and £184 respectively). Such inspections usually come with a sort of warranty for a month afterwards, although these can be difficult to claim on. Usedcarchecks.com is another inspection service.

5. And finally ...

Never buy an unknown used car without conducting an HPI ("hire purchase information") check. These cost from £4 (mycarcheck.com) to £20 (hpicheck.com) and will tell you if the car is subject to outstanding finance, has been stolen or involved in a serious accident. This is a must, however plausible the seller sounds.
Quick stats

32 million
Total number of cars on the UK roads today

£165
Cost of a full AA inspection of a used car

40%
Typical price of a three-year-old car as a proportion of its original (new) price
Planet saver

Running an old car is not as environmentally unfriendly as some would have you believe - if it is well serviced and running efficiently. Large amounts of energy are consumed in the car-building process, so buying a new car that emits less CO2 is not necessarily the best solution for those looking to cut down on their carbon emissions. Better to use an older car less than a new car more. Regular servicing and emissions checks are important, too - particularly if you run an older diesel. If you choose to maintain a diesel car, consider switching to bio-diesel produced from recycled chip fat.