Buying a second hand car is a great way to save money. Did you know that on average a car loses up to 40% of its value in the first year? A huge chunk of this is knocked off the price as soon as the car leaves the forecourt.

If you buy a car that is a year or two old, then the chances are it won’t need much work doing on it and it should still be covered under warranty and also if will have already lost the biggest part of its value.

There are risks involved in buying a second hand car so it’s important to take your time rather than rush into any deal, and to buy as far as possible with your head rather than your heart. Don’t view a car in the rain, in poor light or at night. You won’t be able to check the condition of the car properly if it’s wet – water hides scratches, dents and other problems. If you can take a mechanic with you or a friend that knows a bit about cars then it is worth doing so. If not why not book an inspection by the AA for example.