The cost of driving a car in the UK is getting higher and higher. On top of initial car finance (usually a personal loan or hire purchase scheme), motorists have to pay for MOTs, road tax, car insurance, fuel and maintenance costs. It is no surprise that many are opting for second-hand cars instead of new vehicles . When buying a second-hand car using car finance, there are some additional factors worth bearing in mind.

Firstly, when you buy a used car, it is your responsibility to ensure its history . Cars with no history could have been driven into the ground then patched up for sale . Whether you are paying cash or choosing car finance, it is up to you to get a vehicle check done. The car could be a previous write-off, stolen, or have outstanding car finance. Companies offer history checks as a specific service. A car’s odometer gauges how many miles it has covered. Unfortunately, odometers can be tampered with, and some companies offer specific odometer checks to make sure you are not being sold a car with unreal mileage.

Whilst the temptation is there to save money by buying a used car, unless it is coming from a trusted source it is always worth paying for checks to get a clearer picture of its history. Many vehicles will be a bargain of course – good runners with clean engines that aren’t dodgy, haven’t been written off or stolen.