Keeping your car secure is a major consideration no matter where you live or where you park it. It is hard to imagine that car-related theft is ever going to be completely eradicated, however with some common sense and some security know-how, it is at least possible to try to prevent it.

Making sure your car is secure should be one of your main objectives as a car owner. As well as the benefit of reducing the risk of your car being broken into, adding that extra little bit of security to your car could also reduce your insurance premium.

Many cars these days already have a number of security functions added as standard. However, if your car doesn’t have these added extras you may want to consider adding some more security features. You could opt to fit an engine immobiliser that stops anyone other than the key holder from being able to start the engine. You could also fit a car alarm. Again, most cars have these as standard. However, in the event that your car doesn’t have one you can easily have one fitted. 

There is also, of course, common sense. Avoid leaving anything of value visible in the car. People see this as a temptation and may steal your valuables. Try to park your car in visible, preferably secure areas and, of course, always make sure that you lock your car and secure your windows whenever you leave it parked anywhere. These are some simple yet effective security measures.

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Following the excitement of deciding to buy a new car, one of the first questions that normally crosses your mind is: “How am I going to finance my purchase?” Choosing a suitable car finance option to purchase your car is an important decision to make and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Finance schemes can sometimes seem a little complicated, but making sure you understand what is available is important. Dealers often offer finance or car credit schemes with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options. Hire-purchase is one such scheme that allows you to borrow an agreed, set amount from the dealer’s motor finance company. You essentially borrow and pay back, normally by monthly instalments. The car therefore does not fully belong to you until you have made the final payment to the finance company.

You may prefer to arrange a personal loan with your bank or building society. This loan can then be used to pay the full amount for your new car while you repay your bank loan in instalments. In this instance, you immediately own the car outright. Bank or building society loans quite often offer competitive rates and flexible repayment options.

Other popular payment schemes include Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) where you agree with the car finance company how much you need to borrow to pay for your car. With this method, you can delay repaying for some of the car and in the meantime all you repay is the difference between the full amount borrowed and the amount you have deferred, plus any interest charged. At the end of the agreement, you have three options: you can either choose to pay off the deferred amount, decide to give the car back to the dealer, or exchange the car for another one. Other schemes include a leasing option known as Personal Contract Hire, and credit card payments.

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Many people ask when should I get my car serviced? Nothing lasts forever and your car is no exception. Eventually it will need to be serviced, but for some it can be difficult to tell exactly when this is. Some cars are able to survive incredible amounts of abuse, whereas other will give in after a day driving along the beach, so we need to know the signs to look out for to avoid spending money on a service we don’t need.

How often?

The general rule is that a car’s oil should be changed every 3,000 miles, and since that’s such an important feature, it serves as a great barometer for how often we need to even consider taking the car for a service. This will, of course, be increased if you’ve noted that you have to push a lot harder on your brakes to stop, for example. Mission critical parts like the oil, brakes and engine should always take priority.

With that said, though, mileage isn’t created equally, and as the car gets older, the probably that an additional 100 miles will bring you closer to a service grows exponentially. The manual that came with your car can also give you a good idea of exactly when it’s best to do things like changing the transmission fluid, rotating the tyres, and other important servicing jobs.

Taking care of your car early in its life will pay off greatly as it ages. The better care you take of your car, the less money you can expect to spend on the smaller things like tyre alignment. It may seem like hard work or a lot of money to keep having your car serviced, but you’ll thank yourself for it in years to come – as will the resale value.

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For anyone who is asking ‘how do I sell my car?’ there is a lot to consider, as a car can be the second biggest purchase of a lifetime, so for many people their vehicle represents a significant asset. When it comes to selling a car, therefore, the transaction needs to go as smoothly as possible.

To sell a car, it is essential to have all of the following ready:

•    All of the car keys.
•    The registration certificate (V5C).
•    Details of any upgrades such as alloy wheels, ideally with copies of receipts or guarantees.
•    Details of any damage including receipts and guarantees for any repairs.
•    The latest service report and MOT certificate, if applicable.

Remember to stay safe. It is fine to ask prospective buyers for some ID and ideally have somebody else at home when people come to view the car. That way, one person can accompany on the test drive and the other can stay at the property. If in any doubt at all about the integrity of the person who has come to enquire about the car, just ask them to leave.

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Since tyres are one of the essential components of a car and are critical for safety and good driving characteristics, such as acceleration and grip, you will need to replace them when they have worn down. Replacing tyres can be notoriously expensive but it is essential. Buying brand new tyres is a sound investment as they last the longest and it will be a while before they need replacement – but if you own a car that you intend to sell in a year or so then it makes sense to try and avoid this as it won’t add much to the car valuation.

Used tyres are widely available. These are very much cheaper than brand new tyres, and it is possible to hunt around for used tyres in surprisingly good condition. This is because some people like to change their tyres before they ever get much wear on them. If you don’t mind having tyres with a little pre-wear on them, then look into used tyres for your next replacement.

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For anyone looking to buy a car, often the first thing to do is to sell the one already owned. This is often a crucial step to raise the cash needed to meet the down payment on the next car.

Fortunately, for anyone wondering, ‘how do I sell my car?’ it is now very easy to advertise and sell cars online. It is also worth remembering that prospective buyers are more likely to look online as they can narrow their search by important factors such as make, model, price and location.

Use a trusted site such as Auto Trader or Blue Book. Some details will be needed, so have these to hand. Always be honest, as buyers will rely on the information when appraising the car. The car registration number will be required along with details of the make, model and mileage. Sellers will need to describe the car for sale, highlighting any attractive features such as parking sensors and power steering. Consider also if there is anything that makes the car unique. If there is something positive that is a bit different, such as the colour of the paintwork, do not play it down but tell prospective buyers about it. Sellers can enter their preferred contact details for anyone who would like to know more about the car.

Remember that pictures sell cars and an advert with photographs will always attract more interest, so take a picture in a good light to upload to the advertisement. Then, let them come to you.

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Over the past 20 years car safety has improved massively: there was a time when even seatbelts were not mandatory. The motoring world is now full of safety related acronyms that are sure to confuse even the most passionate car enthusiast.  So, what do they all mean? When looking at used cars for sale UK, it is important that you are aware of the seemingly innumerable safety features that most cars come with, as most older models are only fitted with a few.

The Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) is most likely to be a standard feature of a used car as SIPS has been mandatory in all new cars since 1991.  The system was developed by Volvo during the late 1980s and is a remarkably simple concept.  Metal beams are placed inside the bodywork along both sides of the vehicle, and during a crash they absorb the majority of the impact to minimise injury to occupants.

The Antilock Braking System (ABS) was first introduced to Formula One cars in the late 1990s, although since 2004 it has become a standard feature on many new vehicles.  The ABS system shortens braking distances under really heavy braking which helps to avoid accidents.

One new and novel feature on some road cars is the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).  The ESC system is able to detect when a driver’s course has diverged from his or her intended path. If it does detect this then the brakes are applied to each wheel individually to minimise the chance of an accident.

The above features are only a snippet of the constantly evolving safety features being introduced in road cars and before purchasing a used BMW car, research should be undertaken to ensure you know exactly what you are paying for.

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The Peugeot 206 is a remarkably popular car and has been selling well since 1998.  The car looks smart, even though the Renault Clio, a similar style of car, is deemed to be more fun.  Peugeot 206 owners claim that their car is reliable and economic.  Possibly, this is a case of substance over style.

This model offers either a diesel or petrol engine, and its two-litre engine can command a lot of power.  Owners claim that the Peugeot 206 handles well and is easy to drive. When you are trying to sell your Peugeot 206, potential owners will check and see whether the central locking and the service history is up to date.  Peugeot advise that the car should be serviced every two years.  The wheels will be checked, as will the car’s safety.  The Peugeot 206 has an enviable track record in this respect, as it gained four stars in a recent Euro wide survey.

When looking to ‘sell my Peugeot’, it should prove to be an easy task, given its popularity and the many excellent reviews that can be found in both the national press and online.

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Everyone likes a bargain, and when it comes to looking for a new car there is no better feeling than coming away with a few thousand pounds knocked off the original price.

How to do it

The first job is to carry out some research online to get a sense of the actual top price you ought to be paying for a particular model.  With that in mind, check on customer experiences on motoring or consumer websites to start narrowing down the most desirable type of car for your needs and budget.  This may include comments on reliability, driving experience and accessories.

Having focussed your options, see if any of the models you are interested in are going to be supplanted by a new model.  If so, there could be a real bargain available as car dealers are going to want to shift the old models off the forecourt and manufacturers are likely to have sorted out any glitches over the years, even adding many accessories that would have cost a fortune when the models first hit the showrooms.

Very popular cars for sale that fly off the forecourts or are already very keenly priced are unlikely to see large reductions in the asking price, but there is no harm in trying.

However, if you have ready cash that can be a real clincher.  With no need to go through the endless paperwork of car finance, it is a quick fix for the car sales dealer and a potentially big money saver for you.

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Used cars can be found through car dealers, brokers, internet options and independent car super markets. Before you commit to purchasing a car, consider the advantages of the different places to buy used vehicles.

Car dealers tend to have high sticker prices, however you can negotiate with used car dealers. Dealers will set a retail price based on the car condition, current market value, and the popularity of the vehicle model. The window price on a vehicle may be expensive, yet the negotiation they expect from car shoppers provides a margin of reduction. Accepting the window price without haggling is not a good idea. Instead, do research about the car value such as the trade in value to see the profit the car dealers are trying to obtain. Check different car dealers as one may have a lower mark up on used vehicles than another.

Brokers will help you find a dealer or private seller with the vehicle you want. The competitive pricing is something to consider, however most brokers require a commission and it is possible to have to travel to pick up the car.

Internet companies offer a quick search for vehicle models. Use the internet sources as a way to compare pricing from dealers and private sellers. It is important to check with the dealers to see if the vehicle is still available.

Independent car supermarkets tend to have a variety of used cars and at competitive pricing. Typically, the more popular models of used cars can be found through these supermarkets. There is no one “best” place to purchase used cars, although from car dealers you can be assured of obtaining the car facts with regards to maintenance and any accident the vehicle may have been in. Car dealers can offer more confidence in a purchase.

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