Buying a car

Deciding whether to buy a new or used car is your first dilemma. Your budget might do the deciding for you, of course, but even if you can afford to buy a brand new car, remember that its value will drop most in the first year it’s on the road.

1. Check the mileage – brand new means zero miles so check the mileage just to be sure.
2. Ask to see its certificates – including the registration certificate (V5C) and its MOT certificate. The dealer will usually take care of registering it in your name when you buy it but if it’s not registered you’ll need to do it with the DVLA.
3. Make sure it’s taxed and insured before you drive off – your dealer will probably sort out the tax, but it’s best to check so you know for certain you’re not breaking the law. You’ll need to organise at least third-party insurance before you can drive away too.
4. Haggle – yes you’re buying a brand new car but this doesn’t mean the price is fixed. Always try going in at least 10% lower than the asking price. And if the dealer won’t budge on price, get them to throw in some extras for free – like a longer warranty or a stereo.
5. Shop around – never buy a car the first time you see it, take it for a couple of test drives on different days first. And when you do decide to buy, try the end of the month or end of the quarter as dealers might be happier to offer you a bargain to meet their targets.

1. Do your research – never assume the seller is offering you a fair price. Look at the asking prices of similar cars to see if it gives you any room for haggling.

2. Look out for sneaky (and sometimes illegal) selling tricks such as:

• clocking – where the mileage has been wound back. Check the mileage seems in line with the condition of the car and that all the MOT certificates show the mileage climbing up steadily.
• cloning – when the number plates have been swapped to cover up a stolen car. Make sure the car has a V5C certificate to prove who owns it and look out for forgeries.
• paintwork – uneven paintwork could mean the car has had some repair work done and it’s been resprayed.

3. For private sales, always view the car at the seller’s house – if they want to bring the car to you or show you the car in a public space it’s probably because they don’t want you to be able to trace them after the sale’s gone through.

4. Try to take someone with you – ideally this will be someone who knows what to look for when buying a car, but it’s also good for security. If you’re going to see a private sale, don’t carry the cash on you – wait until you have seen the car and know it’s the one for you.

5. Always give it a test drive – even if you know little about the mechanics of a car, you’ll get a feel for if the car’s working properly.

So you’re not a mechanic and don’t know anyone who knows how to tell if a car is in working order? To make sure you don’t buy a banger, here are some easy car checks anyone can do:

Suspension checks: Lean on each corner of the car with most of your bodyweight – if the suspension is ok the car shouldn’t bounce before settling back into position.

Tyres: Check the tread – the grooves in the tyres – hasn’t been worn down (bald tyres can fail an MOT). The tread depth must be at least 1.6mm. If it’s nearing the legal minimum, use this to haggle for a better deal – full set of new tyres can set you back anywhere between £150-£500.

If the tyres are worn down more on one side than the other the tracking could need adjusting. This doesn’t cost much but is inconvenient.

Oil: Check the oil is a golden colour and that there’s enough in the car (around the highest mark on the dipstick). If there are bits in the oil or it’s a dirty colour, it needs an oil change very soon.

V5C (or log book): Never buy a car without seeing this first. Look for the Vehicle Identification Number which should match the number on the car (likely to be on the passenger side of the windscreen). If it’s different the car has probably been stolen. Professional car thieves will probably try to change the number so be on your guard.

From 15 August 2010, V5Cs are changing.
Go to Directgov to read more about the V5C.

Rust: If someone’s tried to cover up rust before they sell (and done a bad job), you might see bubbling paintwork. Check above the wheel arches, and around the windows and bumpers.

Electrics: Start the car to check the heating works. Test the air conditioning if it has it, and then make sure the windows, windscreen wipers, alarm system and lights are working too.

Now that you have your new car, you need to get your car tax and car insurance.