· Do some research about the type of car you are considering. Check out the second hand values on www.whatcar.com and look in your local press to find the prices of similar cars.

· Find out how much that car will cost to insure. That’s so easy to do on the Internet – simply get a quote or two. It’ll only take a few minutes. (High performance , Classic cars )

· Also check out the car’s other running costs in www.whatcar.com. Make sure you can afford to run the car!

· When you see the car insist that you see the documentation, including the MOT certificate if the car is more than 3 years old, and check that it all tally’s with the car. Also check that the person selling the car actually owns it.

· Ask to see the cars’ Service Record. This will also show the cars’ chassis number and details of the first owner.

· Make sure that the address on the Registration Document is the address where you are viewing the car - if not ask why. Be suspicious.

· Take a friend with you who knows’ about cars – not only to look at the car but also to act as a witness for what is said and agreed.

· Ask the seller if the car has outstanding finance and check the information out with RAC Vehicle Status Check.

· Examine the car in good daylight and at the seller’s own home. Look for signs of accident damage and repairs. The RAC vehicle status Check will notify you if the car had previously been “written off”.

· Get the car independently inspected.

· Make sure that the car hasn’t been clocked. The average mileage is between 10,000 and 12,000 per year. Look for signs that the wear on the car is greater than the mileage would suggest. The wear on the control pedals will help. Ask if the car has had new tyres and if so when. Then look at wear on the tyres.

· Look under the bonnet and find the VIN Number (it could also be on the chassis). Make sure that the number tallies with the number on the Registration Document. This will help to ensure that the car hasn’t had its identity changed.

· Check to see that the Road Tax disc is still valid and the registration on the disc matches the Registration document.

· Always test drive the car for a least 10 miles. Don’t forget to ensure you are insured. Do not automatically assume that your own insurance policy will cover you for someone else’s car. Check your insurance documents before you leave home. If the seller says his insurance will cover you, ask to see his policy – better safe than sorry.

· Don’t hand over any money until you have seen the results of the RAC Vehicle Status Check. And then don’t pay any money until the car is handed over to you with its Documents. Remember to get a written receipt for your payment that includes the sellers name and address.

· Finally, make sure you have car insurance in place from the minute you drive the car away. Remember, the Police can now impound, and ultimately destroy, your car if you are driving it without insurance or road tax. If the car has not got Road Tax, drop in at a Post Office on the way home and buy one.

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