Where to buy

There are a number of options available when it comes to "who to buy from" and there are pros and cons for each. To keep things simple, we’ve given you the main points for each below.

Buying from a dealer

Buying from a dealer means you can be confident the paperwork is in order, the mileage is correct and you’ll get a warranty even if the car is second-hand (most approved used-car schemes will give you 12 months of cover). If you go to an established dealership with a good reputation, then the chances are you won’t go wrong. And if you have a personal recommendation, that’s even better.

By law the dealer must describe the car accurately and only sell a car that’s roadworthy and fit for purpose. This means they’re careful about checking a car before they sell it. Dealers usually service and MOT cars before they sell them, so that’s a bonus. Plus they will include a warranty, the option of part-exchange and finance. And, if you do run into a problem with a dealer then you can turn to the Trading Standards Office for help. It really is the all-round safe option.

Buying privately

Buying privately certainly has its advantages. You get great choice - although this can be overwhelming, so narrow down your options before you start to scan the ads. You can also get some great prices, but again you have to do your homework before you start, and you have to vet the car (and the owner) very carefully. All this means this route is usually more time-consuming, but price-wise this can be well worth the extra effort.

The downside is you’re not protected legally so you have to make sure you ask the right questions up front and ideally have a thorough professional inspection. Some private warranties are available, giving you some level of cover, but there’s no after-sales service and you won’t usually be able to part-exchange if you buy privately.

Buying at auction

If you’re a pretty savvy mechanic, well up on car technology, price-aware and well informed, then an auction could be an opportunity to pick up a real bargain. But, if you’re not, then it’s probably best to steer clear of them.

With an auction, you only get the chance to give the car a quick once-over, there’s no test drive, and there’s no comeback. So, it’s a pretty risky one. If you have a friend who’s an expert and want to give it a go, make sure you go to several auctions before you buy - to see how the system works. Pick a car that has a full service history. Set a buget and stick to it.

Buying online

This can be a really convenient way of buying - you can certainly ‘view’ lots of cars in a short space of time, and get a feel for price and what’s available. You can also do a number of things to take the risk out of buying online, such as checking the firm you want to buy from is credible and reading reviews about their service, likewise private online sellers may have customer feedback for other items they’ve sold.

If you buy online you’re covered by the Consumer Protection Regulations 2000, which states that you must be given clear information about the product, and the law means you have a cooling-off period of seven working days from delivery. That offers some reassurance, but buying blind is obviously risky, so it may be better to find a car online that’s fairly local to you, so that you can inspect and test drive it.

Buying from an online auction site

Websites such as eBay are making online auction sites a more popular route for buying and selling cars. As a seller you have lots of space to give plenty of detail in your ad and you can include as many photos as you like. eBay charges an insertion fee for the listing and a final value fee. Take a look at our abbreviations section to help with writing the advert.

If you’re buying this way, seller reviews give you a useful insight into who you’re buying from and you have the advantage of written terms and conditions, but as with the other options make sure you run an HPI check on the car and it’s probably best to stick to someone fairly local so you can inspect the car and take it for a test drive. You can send the seller questions, but nothing beats seeing it in the flesh.

No matter where you choose to buy your car, one thing you’ll need to consider is your car insurance. That’s where we come in! With a Sheilas’ Wheels policy not only will you get a competitive premium, you’ll also get a policy with more benefits for women than general car insurance:

And these are just a few of the benefits. Take a look at our features and benefits to find out more.