| Normally, the cheapest way to buy a car is | | | | it's obvious that people aren't being put off |
| via newspaper classified ads or online | | | | by the risks of online bidding. |
| auction sites. This way, you can deal | | | | |
| directly with the car seller while cutting | | | | If you want to buy a second hand car, but |
| out the associated costs of a middle man. Car | | | | prefer a little more security in the sale, a |
| classifieds such as 'Auto Trader' have a huge | | | | second hand car dealership is a good place to |
| choice of cars, vans and motorbikes for sale | | | | look. Cars bought from second hand |
| each week. | | | | dealerships are normally a safer buy, as the |
| | | | cars are professionally assessed for |
| Although it's possible to get a bargain | | | | mechanical soundness. |
| through this channel, buyers should have some | | | | |
| knowledge about cars to avoid paying more | | | | Cars bought from second hand dealerships are |
| than they should. If you don't have a lot of | | | | also normally more flexible in the payment |
| mechanical knowledge, it's a good idea to | | | | methods they accept. And unlike private |
| take a friend along who does. Also, remember | | | | dealers, who normally only accept cash, |
| that when doing business with a private | | | | dealerships accept credit cards and debit |
| dealer, there's often no form of guarantee | | | | cards, in addition to offering used car |
| should the car have any problems after the | | | | finance plans - meaning you can spread the |
| purchase. In conclusion, buying from | | | | cost of the vehicle over several months or |
| classifieds can offer the best bargain, but | | | | years. |
| is also more risky. | | | | |
| | | | If you don't want the risk of buying second |
| It's also possible to buy used cars from | | | | hand, then buying a new car should give you |
| internet auction sites; and again, good deals | | | | complete peace of mind. New cars come with a |
| can be found online. However, it's also a | | | | warrantee that guarantees against any defects |
| risky way to buy because you're not able to | | | | that occur within a set timeframe - normally |
| properly see the car before your bid, thus | | | | about three years - but these can sometimes |
| having to rely on photographs and the | | | | be extended to an even longer period. |
| seller's description of the vehicle. That's | | | | |
| fine if the seller is honest, but could cause | | | | So whether it's from an online auction, the |
| problems if the seller omits certain vital | | | | newspaper classifieds or a new car |
| details. However, that said, the world's | | | | dealership, there's always a way to get a |
| biggest internet auction site, eBay, claims | | | | great deal on a new set of wheels, whatever |
| that a car is sold every two minutes - so | | | | your financial position. |