A car is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so it’s important you choose the right vehicle. There are all kinds of things that should be considered before you make a purchase, especially if you have little previous experience buying a used vehicle. Here are some top tips to help ensure you make the right investment:

• Check the mileage. The average mileage is 15,000 miles per year, so any less than this is good. Be wary of cars that have done more miles than this and check whether the car will need any work doing on it in the near future – for example, break pads usually need replacing between 30,000 and 70,000 miles.
• Take it for a test drive. It’s important that you feel how the car operates and identify any potential problems ahead of the sale. It will almost certainly feel very different to drive, but concentrate on actual faults rather than the things that are different to your current vehicle.
• Check the log book and service history. Ideally you want to be driving a car that has a full service history, and that has a completed log book. This assures you it’s in good working condition and will get you a better price if you decide to sell it in future.
• Look the car over thoroughly to see if there is any damage to the paintwork. It’s always worth going to see the car in daylight so that you’re able to see if properly. Once you’ve done this, check the inside to see if the upholstery is damaged. Do the lights and indicators work properly? Does the glove box open and close easily?
• Get the car checked over by an independent expert. They will be able to spot problems that you might not, and they won’t have a vested interest in selling the car so they will be honest.
• Ask for any added extras you want including. Dealers are often eager to get a sale so you can get away with making a few additional requests.