Savy Buying Process

Cars can be found using our search tools. These will take you through a selection process and present you with a shortlist. You can then view each brochure which will tell you how to contact the Seller to arrange a viewing. When sold, cars are taken off the market by the Seller.

A few points to remember when looking for a used car

• Take a car price guide, sold in newsagents, so you know what you should expect to pay.
• Take a magnet, to check the body for hidden bits that are not metal. Amateur crash repairs are often done with plastic filler.
• Carry a torch and a mirror, to help get a look at the car's underside for signs of rust or damage.
• If you're not a mechanic, ask a knowledgeable friend to go with you.

Think about the time and place

• Only go car hunting in daylight and good weather. It will make it easier to spot a cars faults.
• Don't look at a car when you're tired or off-colour. It's too expensive a purchase to do in a hurry.
• If you're answering a private advertisement, always insist on going to the owner's home.

Look at these areas

• Tyres - uneven wear - could be sign of suspension faults.
• Exhaust - smoke - this is an ominous sign, whatever colour.
• Dipstick - black, sludgy oil - tired engine, poor maintenance.
• Bodywork - kinks in the metal, paint variations - probable crash damage.
• Identity VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and engine number different from what's on the registration document - rogue car.

The Hazards

• 'Buyer beware' - this is a good attitude to adopt when you're considering buying a car that someone else has already owned. One in three second-hand cars have a suspect history, according to Equifax HPI. Savy.biz recommends you check a vehicle's background and status. Click here to confirm the price or conduct a background check.
• It's important to be careful, because the car you like the look of might be stolen, could have been a write-off, or may have outstanding finance on it.