The mathematical appeal of buying privately is the easy bit. Invariably, the canny buyer will save between 20-30 percent – if not more – for the same car on the forecourt of a dealer, franchise or independent.

But what can you do to make sure that the car you’ve spotted is a bargain and not a lemon?

Things to check…

Under the Bonnet

· The engine should be cold before you start it. If it’s warm, or has already been left running before you arrived, it could hide cold starting problems.
· Remove the oil filler cap and check for any signs of a white creamy residue.
· Timing belts are expensive to change. If you hear a continuous whine, it could be too tight and need adjusting

Tyres

How can you tell whether a car has been maintained on a budget? Check the make of the tyres. In an ideal world all four should be the same, and at the very least the fronts or rears should match each other.

Bodywork

Has your car been involved in an accident? How to spot the tell-tale signs:
1. Always view in daylight so that you can check that the panels are the same shade.
2. The gaps between the body panels should be consistent.
3. Open all the doors, boot and bonnet. Make sure that they hang and close cleanly.
4. The number plates should have the supplying dealers details. If they are blank, the current owner could have changed it after a crash.

Well Used or Well Cared for?

1. A highly polished, worn steering wheel or gear knob should indicate high mileage
2. Are the pedal rubbers too worn or too new?
3. Are the digits on the odometer aligned properly?
4. Check that the dampers are operating properly by pushing down on each corner. If it bounces more than once, it could spell trouble.
5. Lift up the petrol cap. Sellers invariably forget to mask rust and corrosion here.

Things to Ask the Seller.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re not trying to extract a tooth but find out the basics about the car. The more information you gather from the seller, the more comfortable you’ll feel about shaking hands on a deal.

1. How long has the present owner had the car?
2. Why is it being sold?
3. Who has been the main driver?
4. What has it been used for?
5. When was it last serviced?