Buying a used vehicle is not easy, especially in the United Kingdom where it looks as though every street you stroll down has vehicles parked with paper sheets sellotaped to their windows with an offer price and a bullet-pointed sales spiel. Buyer beware cannot be stressed enough if you’re looking to a buy a second hand motorcar in Britain.

And so it’s a sensible decision to get yourself a second hand vehicle at a licensed car dealer. An authorised dealership will properly go over each second hand vehicles going into their bodyshops by a squad of industry trained professionals. Moreover, they can regulate and maintain your car after the sale, perform MOTs, replace car parts, and basically verify the vehicle is functioning in peak shape at all times. In other words, a licensed dealer should act as a one-stop service for your car’s requirements. Ponder over the make of the car you wish to buy and then search for an authorised dealer in your locale - e.g. mini dealers: If you’re located in London, this search would present the Stephen James BMW and Mini dealership along with other dealers.

Now weigh up purchasing a vehicle from an individual. You have absolutely no assurances in terms of preventing potential issues you may incur with the vehicle. Once the sales agreement has been completed, the private seller isn’t answerable for any future issues. It’s then your task to locate a mechanic who can do repairs and MOT, and hope you haven’t been conned as you get the results back from your first MOT. Regardless of how much due diligence you pay toward looking for a vehicle, it’s still susceptible to being duped. An individual seller has zero reputation to suffer a loss from. A licensed dealer certainly does - and would never take a chance on its reputability by offering dodgy used cars.