Buying a car is an important investment and you'll want to make sure you make the right decision when it comes to your next vehicle. If you're looking for used cars, read on to find some great tips on how to spot good deals for second-hand motors online.

Used car directories

Perhaps the most obvious place to find used cars is on second-hand vehicle directories, which list vendors' items for sale on their pages. There are many of these available nowadays, and you can find some great bargains on the internet, enabling you to have the car you want at a price you can afford.

Before clicking on these sites, it is worthwhile looking up reviews of them from previous customers so you can see how highly they have been rated. You will have more confidence when searching for a car bargain if the site has good reviews.

The best way to get the vehicle you're looking for is to refine your search according to your area, price, age of the vehicle, mileage, number of doors and other features. You will then get a list of cars that best suit your needs and location.

However, with these types of sites, it is important that you take a look at all the details of the car and the seller thoroughly to ensure you can have confidence in your purchase. Make sure you see the vehicle in person, and meet the vendor and ask a list of important questions, as well as see all the documents relating to the motor.

Second-hand websites

The other place to find used vehicles on the internet is on second-hand car websites. Just like dealerships you'd visit in person, these enable you to scan a variety of autos and find out all the information you need to know about them.

There are many advantages of buying from one of these sites, as opposed to an individual seller, which include the fact that you can choose from a huge range of vehicles. If you find one that you like the look of but would prefer other features, the chances are they will have something that suits you, as they often have thousands of motors for you to select from.

Some also have headquarters where you can see the car in person, so if you want to go for a test drive or wish to discuss your options face-to-face with an expert in used cars, you'll be able to do this.

Another benefit is that you can often find finance deals on second-hand cars at these dealerships, so if you can't afford the total value of the vehicle in one payment, you can spread out the cost over several months. Being able to buy on finance will certainly help a number of purchasers who can afford to spare £100 or so a month, but don't have a few thousand pounds set aside to buy the car outright.

Local newspapers

A few years ago, many people would've flicked through their local newspapers to search for a car being sold by fellow residents nearby. The 21st century version of this is taking a look at the classified pages on the newspaper's website, with these still listing a number of cars for you to look at, among other things.

The advantage of searching for a vehicle here is that you know you won't have far to travel to see the car in person and go for a test drive. The other benefit is if something were to go wrong with the motor, you could easily get in touch with – and see – the vendor to enquire about this.