A recent newspaper report has provided readers with hints on how to choose their next used car. The first tip is to carefully research prices of used cars in your area, and if you have time, look a little further afield. Car prices in the next county could well be cheaper than in yours. Used car prices are affected by factors such as local demand, which goes someway to explaining this regional variation.

Buying a used car at the right time is essential. There are peak times for car buying and these should be avoided if you want to get the best deal. For example, convertible cars are more expensive in summer than in winter. It is also worth looking in March and September, when many people put their existing cars in part exchange for a new car, so there is plenty of choice in the used car market and prices are lowered accordingly.

If you have very little knowledge about cars you should take someone with you when you go shopping for a used car. They can help you with a test drive and check obvious items such as the bodywork and the sound of the exhaust. Look out for rust, check all the warning lights on the dashboard, the condition of the wheels and the type of tyres that the car has.

Finally, when you go shopping for a used car, be prepared to haggle. Car dealers expect you to do that and there is no harm in trying. Car dealers want to make a sale and will drop the price rather than risk having the car sit on the forecourt for another few months.

published: 30/11/2010