Used cars on Autoquake.com

Choose the right car:

Think carefully about the type of car which suits you best. Struggling to find room for the whole family in your hatchback? How about an MPV or an estate instead?

Unless you have set your heart on a particular make or model, it pays to be flexible. Use the car reviews on Autoquake.com and other websites to narrow down to around three suitable models. That gives you a better chance of finding a good example at a price which suits you.

Set your budget:

Be realistic. Look at your monthly income and outgoings. How much is left for the car? Remember to allow for running costs such as fuel and insurance, and leave a little aside for any unexpected bills.

With prices typically 10% cheaper than car supermarkets, Autoquake.com will help you stretch your budget further. Most of the cars on offer are used company or ex-lease cars.

What to look for?

It's easy to get hung up on the age and mileage of the car. The age is important, in that most cars under three years old will still be covered by the original warranty, but you can always buy an additional used car warranty if need be.

Some car warranties will expire at 60,000 miles. Even so, a low mileage car might not be the best bet. Cars which have covered few miles are likely to have been used for short, stop-start journeys. These put far more strain on the car's brakes, clutch and gearbox than a long motorway drive, so a high mileage car may be in better condition than a low-mileage one.

Condition is king. Few used cars will be blemish free, but think twice about any car with more than a few minor scratches in the paint work. Check the condition of the wheels, and look closely for any dents in the body. Examine the cabin for worn upholstery or loose plastic.

At Autoquake.com, you can kick the tyres from the comfort of your armchair. Every car we offer for sale is shown with up to 40 photos so you know exactly what you're buying.

Unless the price is really keen, go for a car with its service history intact. A car which has been serviced on time and to the manufacturer's requirements will be more reliable than one which hasn't been cared for properly. You can check the listings for each car on Autoquake.com to confirm its service history.

Where to buy?

Of course, we hope you'll buy your car from Autoquake.com, but here are the pros and cons of some of our competitors:

- Franchised dealers offer the greatest peace of mind, usually selling cars with warranties and full service histories. That plush showroom and the salesman's wages need to be paid for though, so prices are high.

- Car supermarkets (large, independent dealers) will be cheaper than main dealers, but the buying experience is no-frills and high-pressure sales tactics aren't unusual.

- You could buy privately, but there's little come back if things go wrong.

Which leaves Autoquake.com. Our prices are cheaper than car supermarkets, and you can still buy a warranty for peace of mind. If you decide the car isn't for you, there's a 7 day money back guarantee. It's simply a better way to buy a used car.