The Oxford Mail has launched its all new cars website, where you can find Oxfordshire’s best deals on used cars from trusted local deals. But how do you find the right car? Our infographic will help you find a used car that is perfect for you.

Purchasing a second hand car is the most cost effective way of getting on the road as soon as possible.

A brand new car can often lose up to 40% of their value in the first year, quite a staggering amount when you put that in terms of cold hard cash. Therefore a used car can be the bank balance friendly option, it will not only be cheaper than a new car, but will hold its value far better.

However as we all know, a used car can often come with many risks and pitfalls, especially if you’re unsure of what you should be looking for. Our step by step infographic offers a definitive guide of what you should be looking for and thinking about when purchasing a used car.

Budget

The costs of running and maintaining a car are often overlooked when searching for cars. With fuel, insurance, services and road tax, it’s important that you make yourself aware of how much this new car is truly going to set you back even after you’ve paid for it.

Understanding the finances before you buy a car will make sure that none of these costs come as a surprise to you.

After you’ve done the research on the make and model of the car you’re looking to buy, use comparison websites to estimate how much it’s going to cost you for insurance and tax, as these will be the biggest annual fees you will have to pay for.

Research  

There is now a wealth of websites and comparison sites available at our fingertips to ensure that we are just as educated as the sales guys. With a simple valuation on a make and model you can ensure you are not being ripped off. Look at the value of a model that age, specification and condition.

Who knows what you might find when you start to dig around? Reviews can point out common faults with the car, whilst a simple HPI test will ensure the car has no unknown history of serious accidents or finance agreements. 

With this knowledge, you can ask the car dealer informed questions to ensure you are getting the best deal possible.

Time

As detailed in the infographic, checking a car should be quite a lengthy process in order to get a full understanding of its condition, so this activity should not be rushed.

If you go to view a car when you’re in a rush, in bad weather or even a night, it can massively impact the way you see it, and this can often mean you’ll buy the car without being fully aware of its condition.  Take your time and don’t feel rushed.

Combining all of these steps and the guide below, you will be able to purchase a used car more confidently and feel safer in your new car.

For the best local used car deals visit http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/cars