There are three main factors to consider in purchasing a car, whether new or secondhand:

1. Cost - This includes the cost of purchase, cost of repairs, maintenance, gas consumption, insurance, and registration. For example, you may find an older eight-cylinder American car for a bargain, but the expense of running and repairing it may be exorbitant. Insurance costs will go up for a sports car or performance car. So when considering cost, figure out all of these categories of expense.

2. Reliability - Does it run well? Will it continue to run well? If you buy a new car and properly service and maintain it from the start, you are likely to have a trouble free automobile. If you are purchasing a used car, you have to consider how the car has been treated and its service history, and thus estimate its expected future.

3. Features - This is a matter of personal choice and what the bank account will bear. Do you have to have air conditioning, a radio, seats that adjust twelve ways to Sunday?

Before you start looking for your car, pre-select your requirements based on the above categories. List cost, reliability, and features that suit you best. You may have a preference for a particular make or model of car. You may have heard that cars made in such-and-such a country are more reliable, or you may have a principle of only buying American. While some cars may be made of tougher metals or heavier-duty parts than others and certain makes of car have earned a reputation over the years, beware of believing all you hear. The bottom line is how well the car has been treated and maintained.

The main sources of purchase for a used car are dealers, newspaper ads, auctions, and friends. Dealers, while likely to be a little more expensive, may give a limited warranty and stand behind the product, as they have a reputation to keep up. Auctions can be a very inexpensive way to go, or a very expensive one, depending on what you buy. Most auctions let you start the car up and listen to the engine, but you cannot drive the car around. Some auctions are open to the general public and some only to dealers. Some dealers offer a service where they will take you to an auction with them, let you choose the car to buy, inspect it as best they can, and buy iron your behalf, for a. fee. Friends will usually give you a good deal, but they may not be aware of problems the car has, so check it out thoroughly regardless. Many used car purchases are done through newspaper ads. Utilize the checklist that follows and you should end up with a fair deal for yourself. Some mechanics or national road service organizations offer a service where they will check out the mechanical condition of a car you are considering buying, for a small fee.

Another place to look for used cars for sale is of course on websites such as Motors.co.uk. Visit their site to view cars for sale or upload your own car to sell. Motors.co.uk also provides useful reviews on different car makes so that you can feel confident in buying your next car.