- A driving seat with female friendly positions
- More storage - especially somewhere safe to store your handbag
- Better seatbelt adjustment
- A roomier boot with easier access
- In April, June and September, quarterly showroom targets are looming, so staff will be on the hunt for sales.
- The best month for a great deal is December, when dealers are trying to hit end-of-year targets.
For maximum legal protection, go to a reputable local dealer. .Look for RAC approved dealers (racwarranty.co.uk/consumer). If you do want to buy privately, follow the rules below:
- View the car at the sellers address.
- Check its MOT for free at gov.uk
- Ask the seller for a full service history.
- Find out if the car has been stolen, written off by insurers or had outstanding finance at hpicheck.com
- Have the car checked by an auto expert.
- The smaller the engine, the less fuel its uses.
- If you regularly take long trips, look for a car with at least a 1.6L engine.
- Don't assume diesels are more economical, especially if you drive fewer than 16,000 miles and do lots of city driving.
- Hybrids are good for a mix of urban and motorway driving.
- Electric cars work best in a two-car household where one of you regularly drives between 40 and 75 miles daily and has access to a charging point.
- Negotiate the total price first, rather than focusing on monthly repayments.
- Be patient - ask if this is the best they can offer, then remain silent. It will encourage the salesperson to come up with something.
- Look for free servicing or an extended warranty.
- Be willing to walk away.
Good Housekeeping, April 2014
