1. Initial homework – Find out about the car you are considering. Check out any known mechanical problems with that model. The consumer magazine Which! offers good long term reviews on cars. Which! offers a 1-month trial for just £1.

2. Current prices – Check out the current second hand value for the car. A good place to start is www.whatcar.com. Also get your local paper and some of the specialist second hand car magazines and look up the prices of similar cars.

3. Running costs – Plenty of costs in relation to running a car, including -

• Insurance – do a quick check on the internet. Also do a search for the car’s ‘insurance band’ which will be quoted between 1-20, 20 being the most expensive
• Road tax – is the car currently taxed, if so when does it run out. Cars are now taxed depending on CO2 emissions – check here
• General running costs – fuel economy, servicing, tyres etc.

4. Proper documentation – When looking at the car insist on seeing the registration documentation, the MOT certificate (if more than 3 years old) and any other paperwork relating the car.

• Chassis number – sometimes called the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It will appear on both the Log book and on a metal plate under the bonnet. Make sure both match and the metal plate hasn’t been tampered with around the edges
• Registration address – Make sure you view the car at its registration address. If this is not possible you should be extremely suspicious
• Service records – the more paperwork the better as this shows if the car has been regularly maintained. If a service record is not available has the owner kept any of the service or repair bills?
• Any Finance on the car – Ask the owner if the car has outstanding finance. Take notes of what he or she says. When you get home check out the information with RAC Vehicle Status Check. Current cost is £9.99 and its well worth it. If the car has finance on it, forget buying it and look for another

5. Ask a knowledgeable friend – It’s not always possible but if you have a friend who knows about cars, especially mechanics, then take them along and see what they say.

6. Examine the car in daylight – Carefully examine the car in good daylight. Look for signs of repairs and accident damage. Use scratches and other accident related damage to bargain down the price.

7. Is the mileage legitimate – Make sure the car hasn’t been clocked. The average mileage is around 12,000 per year so be wary if the general wear and tear doesn’t add up to the mileage.

Look specifically at the wear on the pedals and the surrounding driving mat. Also look at the tyres, if they need to be replaced soon (within 5,000 miles) factor that into the price you bid the owner.

8. Test drive – Always test-drive the car for at least 10 miles but make sure you’re insured to drive it – check with your current policy.

9. Independent inspection – If you’re still interested in the car think hard about getting it independently inspected. Both the AA and RAC offer an inspection service for between £100 – £300 depending on whether you’re a member and what car it is.

For example, a Ford Fiesta will be far cheaper than a Range Rover. Another idea is to take it down to your local garage and see what they say. If it was me I’d take the AA’s quote and then offer the garage half.

10. Before handing over the money – Never hand over any money until you have seen the results of the RAC Vehicle Status Check. And even then don’t pay the present owner until you have all the Documents relating to the car. Plus, get a written receipt for the car which includes the sellers name and address.

11. Valid insurance – Finally, make sure you have insurance in place from the minute you drive the car away.

1. The car insurance industry relies on customers being enticed with generous initial offers which don’t last forever, so the key message when looking for cheaper car insurance is shop around. Figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show you can save 35% on your premium by comparing as few as five car insurance providers – so don’t automatically settle for your renewal premium until you have made sure it is competitive.

2. Auto Car insurers use a combination of factors to work out how much to charge. Those living in areas with high crime rates can expect to pay more, as can those in certain professions. This is why it is crucial to keep your policy details accurate and up-to-date, including as much information as you can about factors such as where you park the car, your mileage, and whether you use the car for commuting.

3. Make savings by buying online, and by paying for your car insurance annually upfront, rather than in monthly instalments.

4. Opt to pay a higher voluntary excess on any claim. Some companies will give you an excess of up to 800 pounds which means your annual car insurance policy will be much cheaper – provided you can afford the excess.

5. If you are a young driver, you may be able to get cheaper car insurance by taking the Government-sponsored Pass-Plus training scheme for new motorists, or by signing up to a specialist “Pay-As-You-Drive” policy.

6. If the car is owned and predominantly used by your parent, you can make savings by adding yourself to the policy. But watch out for a practice known as “fronting” where one person insures a car in their name and adds someone else as the “named driver” when the named driver is actually the main driver, not the occasional driver. If you get caught “fronting”, your insurer may refuse to pay out.

7. Beware that adding drivers to your car insurance policy will increase your premium – and particularly if it is a young driver. If the extra drivers rarely use the car, it will probably work out cheaper to get a short-term policy instead.

8. Drive a car with a smaller engine as they are cheaper to insure. Also note that body modifications will add significantly to your costs, so avoid these if possible.

9. Consider a mileage limit – or opt to only drive at certain hours of the day.

10. Improve your car security by installing an alarm and an immobiliser. You can also keep car insurance premiums down by parking your car in a safe area – preferably in a garage or on a driveway.

11. Every car insurance company gives you a 14-day cooling-off period in which you can cancel your policy. While this is usually free, some providers charge a small fee, but this can be really useful if you find a better cheaper deal once your policy has started.

Car Accident insurance is something that is a must that all car owners should have in possession. Car accident is the leading cause for all personal injuries. Car accidents cause minor injuries to some, severe injuries to others and permanent disabilities and even lead to death.

Source: uswitch.com