Advance Auto Parts

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.

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