Guide to Viewing a Used Car

Whether you're buying from a dealer or through a private seller, you'll need to make sure that you check the general condition of the car carefully - both inside and out. Skipping this stage could mean that you end up with a poorly maintained vehicle that could cause you a string of problems later on. If you feel slightly daunted by this process, you may find it more reassuring to arrange a professional check by a qualified engineer or a local mechanic.

You'll need to be extra careful when buying privately; cars are usually 'sold as seen' and you'll have little comeback if something goes wrong after you've taken the car home. A useful tip is to take a look at how well kept the owner's house and garden is - if they look unkempt, it's unlikely that they'll have looked after their car.

In this section, we've put together some more handy tips for checking out the condition of a used car, including the exterior, interior and under the bonnet.