Category Archives: Buying & Selling

The Best Cars for Dog Lovers

dog with head out of a car

We’re a nation of pet lovers and dogs need a lot of attention. The bigger the pooch, the more exercise and days out it requires for good health and vitality. Walks in the county and on the beach are great, but you’ll need a sturdy and spacious vehicle to get you there.

Whilst we’ve looked at how to keep dogs safe in your car during the heat of the summer, what about the best vehicles for keeping them comfortable on the road? In this article we explore the top cars that offer for a smooth ride on long journeys with robust interiors so you and Rover can arrive in style, where-ever you’re going.

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The Top Ten Executive Saloon Cars – For Under £5,000

executive saloon for under £5,000

Executive motoring always means space, comfort and drivability wrapped up in a classy and stylish package. Great for long journeys and making a good impression on clients because you’ve arrived refreshed and relaxed. And then these vehicles also perform in the weekend and evening when you have to fill them with the kids and shopping.

You might think that a saloon car with all of that for under 5 grand is a big ask, but here’s what our experts found:

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How to Avoid Buying a Flood Damaged Vehicle

flood damaged vehicle

Some areas in the UK are prone to drastic flooding. We’re not talking about a big puddle here, but rather rivers breaking and metre high waters that hang around for days. Expose a car to this kind of wetness and it’s going to get in every single space and cause some serious damage.

It’s not enough to simply give the car a good airing or replace the carpets and upholstery. There’s a real need to look beyond cosmetic damage as flood water can impact the performance of the brakes, starter motors, catalytic converters as well as running havoc with the electrics.

Flood damaged cars are dangerous. It’s that simple. However, unscrupulous sellers will try to cover up problems caused by flood waters – so here’s how to make sure you don’t get lumbered with a compromised vehicle that’s been previously submerged.

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The 5 Most Economical Cars for Under £5K

economical cars

Everyone knows driving costs cash. Getting the most for your money is not only important when you’re buying a car, it’s also vital when you’re out on the road. With rising fuel costs and the pound in your pocket constantly shrinking – what are the best cars to get if you want to avoid shelling out the big bucks on repairs and fuel? These are our top 5 cars – listed in reverse order – that should help you save petrol, money and benefit from a cleaner, greener ride.

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10 Best Used City Cars for Under £5k

blue model car on piles of coins

Thinking of getting a new city car? These little motors won’t break the bank and have what it takes to navigate and manoeuvre around the tight urban streets. Each one has been selected for looks, performance and reliability. So in reverse order, leading up to our favourite pick – here is our top ten city cars:

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Best Used Family Cars for Under £5,000

family sitting in a car

Money is always tight, especially when you have a growing, young family. Getting a flash sports car or speedy motor is no longer the priority it once was in your more formative years.

Fortunately there are still some wonderful choices of car out there, even for motorists on a budget, so in this article we review some of the best used family cars you can find for under £5K.

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Don’t Get Sweet-Talked – How To Swerve Those Clever Car Selling Tactics

car salesman using sales tactics

We have talked about the tricks employed by less than reputable car sellers in a previous article, but there are still legitimate tactics that can be used by every seller on the forecourt.

Whilst almost all dealers are honest and it’s only a very small minority that will try to hoodwink you into a bad deal, there are some tactics that can be used to shift cars and lower prices that you should know about. This article is intended to put you on the front foot and give you a clear perspective when it comes to the buying process.

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Nine of the Best Fast Cars for Under £5K

car driving fastEveryone likes a bit of speed behind the wheel don’t they? Great for pulling away at junctions or getting up to pace on the dual carriageway. Some people however like a bit more oomph in their engines than others and actively seek out motoring at the tougher, more pacey end of the market.

If you’re one of those petrol heads that loves to rev the engine and feel the power under your foot but doesn’t want to spend the big bucks on a new speedster, then this article should give you some truly exciting options. We’ve scouted around the websites, auctions and markets and found some great options for top power for tighter budgets. Continue reading

18 things not to say to a car sales person

customer talking to a sales person

Thinking of buying a new car? With used prices staying high you have to put in a little effort to get the best price possible. Make the right preparations and you can ready for all the negotiation tactics the sales person can throw at you. Remember if you go forearmed with knowledge then you’ll know a great deal when you see it.

Much of the deal is decided in the negotiation. Our team has put together a list of phrases, statements and questions you need to seriously avoid during the negotiation phase to get the most for your money.

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The How to Buy A Car On eBay Guide

buy a car on eBay

From rare 50p pieces through to imitation Rod Stewart tartan trousers, you can buy almost anything on eBay. And unsurprisingly more people are turning to this popular e-Commerce platform to find a good motoring bargain.

Believe it or not eBay is actually growing in popularity as a second-hand car sales outlet and it’s also the place to go for rare motors and the so-called barn finds. With over 20 years of history, it’s a real veteran of the internet, giving it a high level of trust with all its buyers.

Like all sales outlets there are deals to be had and pitfalls to avoid – which are a whole lot easier to navigate with the aid of our handy guide.

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