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Where To Buy A
A New / Used Car?

Where you buy your next used car from will depend on how much legwork you are prepared to do and on how much money you want to spend, see Auto Trade Calculator. The more information you have about your target car the less likely it will be that you will end-up buying a lemon.

Buyin A Car At Auction

The cheapest and potentially the riskiest place to buy from is a used car auction. Here you may find yourself bidding against cars dealers that have overheads to meet. If this happens then you may be able to pick up a genuine bargain that would be offered for sale at a considerably higher price on a dealer's forecourt.

Buying A Car From Main Franchised Dealer

The easiest and safest option is to buy from a franchised main dealer. Here you will find a selection of newer used cars that are in very good condition. Many of these vehicles will still be within the manufacturers car warranty period and will have been serviced according to the manufactures recommended schedule. The only drawback of buying from a franchised dealer is that you may end up paying a higher price.

Buyin From A Private Seller

If you don't mind trawling through the used car adverts then buying privately could offer you the biggest savings. However, be aware that you will not have the same legal rights as when buying from a dealer. Ensure that the car on sale is registered to the address from which it is being sold. Always use a banker's cheque when buying privately. It is important to take the advertisement along with you to the viewing. Does the description of the car correspond to the actual vehicle e.g. is the car really an SE model? Don't pay top money for a car with only an average spec. Also, make sure that you get Free VIN Lookup.

Used Car Supermarkets

At used car supermarkets you will find a large selection of cars priced to generate a large turnover of stock. As with an independent dealer you will have legal comeback should anything go wrong. Here you may not get such a good price on your part exchange / trade in. You may also find it difficult to haggle. Some car supermarkets may charge you an administration fee upon completion of the sale. Always check to see if there are any additional costs. The prices of all of their used cars may not be so competitive - be sure to do your research.

Independent Car Dealers

At an independent car dealer you will find a selection of cars that will be of varying age and condition. Each car that you are considering to buy should be checked for its service history and overall condition. An independent car dealer is a good place to part exchange your existing car and to get a discount on your next car (if you bargain hard). Local dealers will usually be keen to maintain a good reputation and will not be in the business of selling you a junker. You will also have legal comeback if difficulties arise after you have bought the car.