Approved used or used approved cars have been tested against strict quality criteria by the garage or dealership where they are available for sale.  They will have been thoroughly checked by mechanics before being resold and are generally in very good condition with low mileage.  Many car manufacturers now run their own approved used car schemes, allowing you to pick up a lower priced car while reassuring you that your vehicle is still of the highest standard.

Approved Used Audi Programme

Audi have their own approved used cars for sale programme.  Pre-owned vehicles are required to pass over 100 quality control tests, including mechanical, interior and exterior inspections.  The Audi technician will produce a written report of their findings, which you can read before deciding whether or not to purchase the car.  Any repairs carried out are done using only Audi original parts.  Audi also operate a 30-day exchange plan and a 12-month guarantee with roadside assistance for extra peace of mind.

Approved Used BMW Programme

BMW’s approved used programme carries out 120 checks and offers a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty, 12 months MOT cover and 12 months roadside assistance.

Approved Used Mini Programme

Mini’s “Cherished” system offers the best quality approved used Minis with a minimum 12-month warranty, 12 months emergency service cover across the UK and Continental Europe and 12 months MOT cover.  Financing is available through Mini financial service.

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Just looking at a freshly painted used BMW M5 or used Volkswagen Golf or any other used car that looks well maintained tempts many of us.  Before finalising the deal on a used car, a thorough inspection needs to be carried out to find out whether all the parts are in good working order.  This helps prevent paying a hefty sum towards maintenance and insurance after the purchase.

Here is a practical checklist to keep in mind:

•    Check the year of registration and note the distance that the car has travelled.  If it reads between 15,000 and 18,000 km within a span of three to five years, it is worth considering it for purchase.  This will depend on your available budget of course.  If you have less to spend you may have to purchase a car with a higher mileage.
•    Look at the paintwork.  If it looks very dull, double-check the documentation details and ensure that the car is the age the seller claims it to be.  If the paintwork looks too new, be careful to find out when it was repainted (maybe accident repair) and check the quality of the painting.
•    Inspect the body of the car for any damage.
•    Go for a test drive; assess the condition of the brakes and the engine health.  The engine should start smoothly without any unusual sounds.  You need to also pay attention to the exhaust and ensure that it does not emit oil.
•    Drive for at least 4 – 5 km and check for steering control and any wobbling feelings through the steering wheel.
•    Check all the lights (cabin, rear, reverse and dipping).
•    The tyres, bearings and springs should be in good condition.
•    The battery should not have any acid leakage around it.
•    Additional accessories like the audio system, air conditioning should work properly.

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Whether your next car will be a used BMW 3 Series or something completely different, if you plan to buy used, be sure to research the reliability factor of the models that you are interested in.  Some cars hold their value longer than others.  Many cars built today can be considered very dependable, five or even ten years after their initial voyages.

On the other hand, there are some that are not quite so good after a certain period of time or mileage has passed.  So if you plan to put your money into a new used car, why not buy something that will still have many good years and miles left on it rather than one that will last just long enough for your warranty to run out?

For example, if you want to buy a sporty car and you look at the list of reliable used vehicles, you might see that a used BMW 1 Series Convertible is quite reliable after even a few years on the road with its original owner.  Getting your heart set on a specific vehicle is quite alright, but take a look at the possibility that the one you think you want could cause problems for you in short order.

It’s a very good idea to check with the current reliability survey to see which cars are at the top of the list and then choose one from there.  That is a practical way to find the used car you like at a good price.  You will be less likely to be disappointed in the long run.

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There are a large number of companies that offer car financing deals.  Researching car financing companies and comparing their services will enable you to find a car finance deal that is just right for you.  Car finance companies offer funding options for those looking for new and used cars, so you are sure to find a deal that suits your needs.

There are a number of car finance comparison websites that will allow you to compare the services of well known car finance companies.  You can browse through reviews of previous customers and see what each company has to offer.  You can also obtain a no obligation quote from most companies, which will enable you to see whether or not the car finance deal is right for you.

Browsing through car finance companies will also give you the chance to see what used cars are on offer.  Many car finance companies have a wide range of used cars for sale, such as used Hondas, used Minis and used BMWs – some of which are in top condition. In addition to comparing car finance options, you can also compare vehicles to find something that suits your needs.

Some online car finance companies may provide car loans via your bank, which may be cheaper than obtaining a loan from your bank directly.  Other services offered by car finance companies include help with checking your credit rating to see whether or not you are able to take out a loan.  Many companies will provide information to help you work out whether or not your credit profile is acceptable.

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BMW has that “wow factor” for individuals that are looking to spend their newly won high salary on a great set of wheels.  Some even prefer to buy the older and what some regard as the better versions of BMW models.  Older BMW’s offer something a bit different from the modern releases.

If you look closely at a second-hand BMW, you will see that even with one hundred and fifty thousand miles on the clock, the car is still generally in good shape.  Since BMWs are so well made they are very popular used cars.  BMW owners, tend to take better care of their cars than do many motorists.  Thanks to efficient engineering and quality manufacture a BMW will outlast many other brands.  The modern models also have all kinds of new efficiency and safety features that help you to save on fuel and keep you safe on the roads.

The 325i is one of the more popular models of BMW on the road today and there are many good examples available on the used car market.  It offers a nice roadster appearance as well as having a company car appeal.  For more than ten years other companies have been trying to emulate its stylish looks.

Buying a used BMW car from a BMW dealer is the safest way of ensuring that you are getting a good buy.  This also of course means that you will be obtaining a warranty with the vehicle.

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If you are considering leasing a brand new Mini for your company or for yourself, you have to decide first what type of leasing or finance method you will choose in order to secure it. Two of the most popular vehicle leasing methods are contract hire and daily rental.

Among the most consistently availed Mini car leasing option is contract hire. Often, contract hire is considered the easiest method to manage and the most cost-effective. Basically, contract hire allows you to drive the car you leased as if you own it, but actually you don’t. Here, you will agree with the car management or owner, as to how long you can use the Mini, as stipulated in the contract. Once the contract expires, you will have to return the car.

What if you need the Mini for only a few days? Then, daily car rental solves your concern. This leasing option works the same as contract hire; however, daily rental works for a shorter period of time. Usually, in daily rentals, car companies outline and impose various rules with which the leaser has to comply.

Usually when taking out a daily rental you will have to comply with a number of rules outlined by the daily rental company. For instance, you will be compelled to drive the car only up to the mileage limit set by the company. You also have to return it in the same condition as you rented it; that is, you must make sure to fill up the car with the same amount of petrol when you return it as it had when you first rented it.

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The BMW Mini is one of the most popular cars in the United Kingdom. It comes in different engine specs: the regular Mini, the Cooper, Cooper D, and the newest one, the Cooper S.  A Mini lease may often be taken out by people with a small family who want to experience a stylish and fun type of motoring.

A standard Mini lease has a term of 36 months and comes with an agreement for contract hiring. Upon leasing, there is the usual requirement for advance payment, which is followed by monthly payments with VAT. The deal for the lease of the car is often based on 10,000 miles per annum.

The newest version of the Mini now features an engine which is British-built and has a new and enhanced suspension system. A manual transmission with six speeds is also supplied in this new model. The Mini features alloy wheels, a CD player, and an anti-lock braking system. You can also have the option to add other features, for an extra cost, such as metallic paint, automatic gearbox, leather seats, climate control, air conditioning, electric sunroof, Bluetooth, and satellite navigation.

The handling of the Mini lets you have a go-kart feel with its poise and grip, which is similar to an expensive sports vehicle. The dimension of the car makes it easy to manoeuvre. The steering system responds quickly giving you a ride that is firm and comfortable.

Mini leasing allows you the chance to experience a great lifestyle in an inexpensive way. You can get the most out of the car — from security and safety, to reliability and quality, as well as great driver satisfaction.

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This economical BMW series comes in a variety of styles (hatch, saloon, five-door and convertible), although it has to be said that only the saloon has a touch of panache about it. It may not be an especially charming series, but these cars are functional and they do bear the prestigious BMW insignia! The driver and front passenger will enjoy ample leg room, but anyone sitting on the rear seat is best advised to be small in stature or at least not to spend too much time on it: its small back there. And while we’re griping about space, bear in mind that the hatch boot offers a meagre 330 litres to cart your weekly groceries or suitcases around in.

That said, as a rear-drive car it handles superbly, with excellent steering and an outstandingly controlled body guaranteeing comfortable, responsive driving. At the top end of the series, the 3 litre twin-turbo 350i will more than satisfy the power seekers amongst us but even the more humble models still offer outstanding engines. Along with the mammoth 3.0 litre 350i, there are two other petrol engines –1.6 litre and 2.0 litre. The three excellent diesel models (the 118d, 120d and 123d) are all 2.0 litre, although the twin-turbo 1.23d is undoubtedly king of the 1 series diesel castle. The latter comfortably surges from 0–62 mph in just 7 seconds, and squeezes a generous average of around 55 miles out of each gallon.

BMW 1 Series

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Leasing a new BMW is often considered a better decision than buying one. When you lease a car, you’re only going to pay a portion of the total price of it. Moreover, it will cost you less compared to paying off a car loan.

Aside from getting the comfort and driving experience of a luxury car, there are many reasons why you should consider leasing a BMW. The main reason is that the regular rental price is fixed, which makes your budgeting straightforward, with no unexpected hidden costs if you stick to the terms of the lease.

There are normally two types of leasing arrangements: Full Payout and Balloon. Both arrangements offer fixed rentals throughout the lease agreement. With Balloon Leasing, the rentals are lower than the Full Payout Leasing Option. However, you might need to pay more when the lease agreement ends.

If you go for the Full Payout Leasing option, you should first decide which car you want. Then, choose your desired rental period and agree on a deposit amount as well as the regular rental fee. When your agreement ends, you can sell the car to any third party or any authorised BMW dealer in the UK and you can refund the entire proceeds of the sale. If you want to continue leasing your car when the agreement ends, you can pay an annual rental for another leasing period.

The same process goes if you opt for the Balloon Leasing; however, you should also agree to a resale value of your BMW car for the future. In the event that you sell the car for more than the resale value stated in the agreement, you’ll receive the entire proceeds of the sale. If you sell the car for less than the agreed amount, you’ll have to make it up to meet the resale value.

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You don’t see many BMW X6’s on the road at the moment due to the rising costs of diesel and petrol, and the new C02 based emission car taxing brackets would leave the X6 in the top brackets making it costly to tax.
 Also the X6 isn’t cheap starting at £42,000 for the basic model, although when you come to re sell or trade your X6 in you’ll be surprised to find out that its held its value well and not lost a lot of its value making it an ideal lease or contract hire car

You’ll get the choice between 5 engine 2 petrol’s a 3.5 litre and a 5 litre and 2 diesels a 3.0litre and 3.5. BMW have also introduced a Hybrid engine no news on the hybrid yet but it’s due soon.
Also the X6 has been given the M Sport badge which will give it a 547BHP engine.

The X6 comes full of security and safety device such as side, front and curtain airbags. The BMW 4 wheel drive system is great and gives the X6 stacks of grip through the corners and in slippery conditions so you should never be caught out.

Inside your pretty much looking at the same dash that is in the X5 4X4 that BMW produce. It will take you a while to get use to the BMW controls and features if this is your first BMW but fear not as you soon pick up all the short cuts.

The X6 is wider than the X5 that is based on, but the sloping rear clearly gives less head room but leg and other areas are fine.
 
You’ll get 19” alloys and sports suspension as standard but expect to pay for sat nav, digital TV and Head up display.

BMW X6 4X4

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