Buying a used car is an intimidating prospect for many consumers. The fear of dodgy deals and the fact that you could be buying someone else’s problems make the hunt for honest value seem daunting.

The AA advises all potential used car buyers to avoid side-of-the-road sales and go to SIMI dealers, to buy an AA Autocheck car or failing that to have the vehicle professionally inspected before purchase. No reputable seller will object to an independent inspection.

It is also important to check that there is no Hire Purchase owed on the vehicle; this can be queried with the Hire Purchase Information Centre at 01 2600905. They will check that no HP or leasing finance is outstanding on the vehicle; the fee is €15.

Many publications carry ads offering second-hand cars for sale. Most are genuine but unfortunately there are still unscrupulous dealers posing as private sellers. If you decide to make contact, say that you are asking about ‘the car for sale’. If he has to ask you which car then he is a dealer. Having blown his cover, steer clear of his car!

Never buy a car in the dark as this easily conceals various blemishes and possibly even evidence of accident damage. A key fact that you want to be sure of is that the car has not been involved in an accident. No matter whether its from a private individual or from a dealer ask the critical question, preferably in front of a witness “has the car ever been crashed or had any bodywork repairs carried out whatsoever”. The response given has significant legal implications.

Despite our warnings, however, the quality of used cars in Ireland has improved greatly in recent years. One of the reasons for this has been the introduction of the National Car Test in January 2000. Since then all cars have had to be tested after four years initially and every two years thereafter. This has meant that it is no longer possible to run ‘rolling wrecks’ on Irish roads.

Now is also a good time for secondhand car buyers. 2000 was a record year for new car sales with some 235,000 new cars registered. Those vehicles are now four years old; an age when many owners will trade them in. This means there is something of a glut of secondhand cars available – good news for buyers.

There is very good value to be found in the second-hand market. For every new car bought in Ireland almost 2.5 second-hand ones bought and most people are happy with the results. You have to look out for the pitfalls, do the homework and remember the maxim caveat emptor – let the buyer beware.