Learn To Buy A Car Safely
Car Buying & Selling Guide

How Cars are valued

Cars are valued according to their year of manufacture. Their condition and the amount of miles they have travelled.
Car dealers use a method of assessing that the average most cars should travel is between 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year. If a car travels less than this it is classed as good. If it travels these miles it's classed as average, and if it exceeds these miles by a large amount it's classed as poor.

A dealer who buys and sells cars for a living will first of all, in his appraisal of your car, look at it's general appearance. If it looks clean and dent free, thats a good start. If your car is standard and the same as its original manufacture, that's another good point. Dealers do not like to buy cars which have been modified from standard, they are harder to sell and to price. The next item on the dealers check list is how many miles has your car travelled. The dealer would then look up the going price in his 'little black book'. (not the same as the one you can buy in your local book shop). The dealers trading book prices are a lot lower.

After making you a ridiculously low offer the dealer will then ask if you have all the documentation for your car including an MOT certificate. The haggling over price will now start and will be based on the car you intend to buy from the dealer. The more expensive your purchase the more money you may get for your car. It's not all as clean cut as that though, because the trading price is based on the difference between the price the dealer can get for your car when he sells it and the amount he paid for the car you are wanting to buy.

Meaning of terms

Listed below are some of the terms that are used by dealers who sell and buy cars. Some of the terms are also used by 'part-time' people who sell cars from their home. You need to understand these terms before you go into a deal. Not understanding the terms fully could have serious mis-understandings when haggling over a price of cars.

Original price of cars

Manufacturer's list price when new, including VAT and Car Tax not road tax, it's a special tax applied on all new cars. This is the price paid by the first owner of the car.

Franchised dealer
The typical price paid at a franchised dealer for a car in a 'Used Approved' scheme. is possibly lower than the price on the windscreen shown at the dealer because the dealer would have increased the 'screen' price so that some negotiation can take place when you decide to buy the car.
A franchise dealer is a dealer who exclusively deals with a large car manufacturer i.e. Ford, BMW, Audi etc.

Independent dealer
Typical price paid for the car at an independent dealer or car supermarket. Prices are slightly lower than main dealers because you don't get all of the 'Used Approved' benefits. This type of dealer may or may not offer you certain benefits, but they would usually be added on as extra's.
An independent dealer is a dealer who sells and buys any make or model of car and has no contract with the large car manufacturers.

Private good
Typical private sale value of a car in good condition with full MOT and service history, needing no work. With a private sale you will be getting exactly what you see, no benefits or guarantee. Once you pay your money and drive away you are on your own. This is why the price is usually lower on the private sale.
Beware of buying a used car from a private source

Private poor
Typical private sale value of a car in below-average condition, which cannot be restored to clean condition. May have mechanical defects or no service history; body may be rusty or have substantial damage; interior may be stained or torn.

Part exchange
The typical 'bottom-book' (the book dealers refer to value a car) price that a dealer offers for your car in part-exchange. The actual value can vary from deal to deal, depending on the price and desirability of your car, but this is a good indicaton of what to expect.

Tips for buying cars

1. Never seem enthusiastic
2. Never take the family
3. Always say you are shopping around
4. Do your research - know the cars value
5. Ask for road tax to be included

eBay car buyers guide

1. Before bidding, make sure you read a vehicle's description thoroughly and look at all available photos - you may wish to print the description out.

2. You can find out more about a seller by checking their feedback rating and looking through their past transactions.
3. If you need any more information about the seller or the vehicle, you can contact the seller through the "Ask seller a question" link.
Don't be embarrassed asking several questions; they'll be grateful for your enquiries.
4. Make sure that the seller holds the V5 Vehicle Registration Document (also known as the Log Book).
5. Ask the seller about taking a test drive or inspecting the vehicle before the auction ends, and also how and when they want their buyer to collect the vehicle.
6. For further peace of mind, check the background of the vehicle with a Vehicle Status Report, and you can also book an RAC engineer to perform a mechanical check on the car, including a test drive. Both services are designed and priced specially for eBay Motors users and powered by HPI.
Get more information about Vehicle Status Reports and RAC Vehicle Health Checks.
7. Decide how much you want to pay. To see how much a vehicle is worth, try a used car pricing guide such as Parkers, What Car or Glass' Guide; you can also get an idea of a vehicle's value through a Vehicle Status Report.
8. To get a full picture of the cost of a vehicle, find out about other costs of ownership such as insurance, fuel consumption and replacement parts.
9. Remember, a bid is a legally binding offer to buy a vehicle at whatever price the auction reaches, up to your maximum bid amount. If you are the winning bidder, you are legally obliged to pay and non-paying may cause the seller to take legal action. For more information, read eBay's User Agreement. If you are interested in a Classified Ad listing, you cannot bid on that item. Instead you can contact the seller to get more information and express an interest in buying the item listed.
Reference:
eBay car auction website:
More details eBay car buyer guide

Weekend courses

If you find it difficult to get a week off work, then why not try a weekend driving course. You can book either a Saturday or Sunday, or both, without any long term commitment. These courses are ideal as top ups for weekly lessons, or to give you a boost just before a driving test.
New drivers are especially welcome as a weekend of lessons could get your motoring career off to a great start. Weekend Courses   »»

New driver weekend courses

New drivers (beginners) are advised to start their driver training by having as many driving lessons as they can over a short period of time. This will help re-inforce the correct procedures for driving away fom the kerb, parking, gear changing & road procedures. A theory test pass is not required for this type of course. An intensive driving course for new drivers is not intended to get you through your test in a week. Those days have long since gone and if you see any websites out there that say any different, then treat them with suspician. You will learn to drive in a week, but you will not be ready for your driving test.
New driver courses  »»»
New driver weekend lessons  »»»