Tailored breakdown cover to suit your needs
Help, Safety & Advice
- Road safety
- Motoring advice
- Buying a car
- Maintenance
- What to do in a breakdown or accident
- Be prepared
- Coping with kids
- Managing stress
- Car security
- Caravan safety
- Breakdown safety
- Mobile phone safety
- Motorbike safety
- Fuel economy
- Motoring abroad
- What should I do if I see an accident?
- The cost of motoring offences
- Avoiding the cowboys
- Which type of driver are you?
- Would you pass your test now?
- What to do in the event of a car breakdown
- It's the law - motoring do's and don'ts
- How to replace a tyre
- How do I prepare for an MOT?
- How do I change the oil?
- How to get a good deal on a car
- What do I do if my windscreen is frozen?
- Driving with satellite navigation
- 10 motoring must-follows on Twitter
- How to push a vehicle safely
- Travelling with pets
- Five common breakdown problems
- Your breakdown cover renewal
- Sat nav safety
- Older drivers
- Choosing a child car seat
- How to find a good garage
- Fifty years of the seatbelt
- Tyre safety
- Thinking of buying a new car?
- What to look for when choosing a breakdown cover provider
- Driving in Europe
- Summer Drivetime Magazine
- Winter Drivetime Magazine
Route Planner
Buying a car
Garages can sometimes feel intimidating. Remember who's in charge. You're the customer, and it's your money they're after. Don't allow yourself to be patronised. Go elsewhere. A good garage will value your custom, make you feel comfortable and look after you. Don't settle for less.
Buying second-hand? Equip yourself:
- Go armed with a car price guide, sold in newsagents, so you know what you should expect to pay
- Take a magnet, to check the body for hidden bits that are not metal. Amateur crash repairs are often done with plastic filler
- Carry a torch and a mirror, to help get a good look at the car's underside for signs of rust or damage
- If you're not mechanically clued-up, ask a knowledgeable friend to go with you.
Choose your time and place:
- Only go car hunting in daylight and good weather. After dark, or on rainy days, it is much harder to spot a car's faults
- Don't agree to look at a car when you're tired or off-colour. It's too expensive a purchase to undertake in a hurry
- Never agree to view a car in the street or a car park. If you're answering a private advertisement, always insist on going to the owner's home.
Check these:
- Tyres - uneven wear - sign of suspension faults.
- Exhaust - smoke - always an ominous sign, whatever colour.
- Dipstick - black, sludgy oil - tired engine, poor maintenance.
- Bodywork - kinks in the metal, paint variations - probable crash damage.
- Identity VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and engine number different from what's on the registration document - rogue car.
Where to look
- Franchised dealer - unlikely to be cheapest, but the least risky. If there are problems, you can complain to the manufacturer.
- Non-franchised garage - be sure it's a reputable one, check for membership of a trade organisation such as the RMI (Retail Motor Industry Federation) and get a recognised guarantee.
- Small ads - you might find a bargain, but you have little comeback if things go wrong. Watch out for the same phone number recurring: a clue to an amateur dealer.
- Auction - bargains to be had, but only for the brave. Don't try it unless you're very confident and knowledgeable.
- Internet - the newest way to buy and well worth browsing. Most car companies have their own website where you can track down a new or approved second-hand car.
What type of car?
- Consider which car best suits the life you want it to lead. There is greater diversification now than ever before. Think about how your choice will live up to the demands you make of it.
- Two or four doors - bear in mind that two-door cars have larger doors, which can make access easier for older people.
- Hatchback - the most popular body style, practical and versatile. If you are very short, check that you can easily reach the tailgate to pull it shut.
- Saloon - traditional, with a separate enclosed boot. Some people prefer the slightly more formal look.
- Estate - excellent for carrying big loads, ideal if you have dogs. Not the most economical choice if it's usually driven alone.
- Coupe - stylish but often with low roofline, cramped boot and awkward seatbelt fixing. If you're tall, check the headroom. If you're short, make sure you're comfortable when belted.
- Sports car - dashing and sporty but can be costly to insure. Get a quote before making up your mind.
- 4x4 - great for coping with winter conditions but not the most economical choice for doing the school run. Fuel bills and servicing costs tend to be higher. Does the life it will lead justify the extra expense?
- People-carrier - great for a big family. Beware of cramped luggage space with lots of people on board.
- Engine size and age - you can save money by buying a modestly powered car or a classic. Cars with smaller sized engines may qualify for cheaper annual car tax. Cars built before 1973 are exempt from road tax.
The pitfalls
- 'Buyer beware' - that is the wise attitude to adopt when you're considering buying a car that someone else has already owned. One in three second-hand cars have a suspect history, according to Equifax HPI.
- It's vital to be careful, because the car you fancy might be stolen, could have been a write-off, or maybe has outstanding finance on it. Any of these would turn a purchase into a major headache.
- Don't set your heart on a particular car until you make sure it has no dark secrets lurking. Remember, there are always plenty of other cars to choose from.
