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