So you want a new car, but you don't want to buy it new. Fair play, especially if you are looking for an expensive car, or just a car that you want to use on a regular basis. Obviouslly you don't want to shell out for a new car and end up overusing it, or crashing it. So here is a guide on buying the best second hand car:

Looks
The over all look of a used car is a very accurate sign of how the vehicle has been taken care of. Is the general look of the vehicle consistent with the miles and the price that is being asked? Little dents and chips in the paint can be a very good sign of a lot of useage, especially if the owner claims to use it very little.

Interior
Is the inside of the vehicle clean and in a good condition, or does it look worn out? The seats should not sag or be worn through. The carpets should be clean and undamaged, do they have any dirt and grime worn in? Has the interior been freshly detailed? Does the inside of the car look natural? Is there anything out of place that does not quite look right? All these could be tell tale signs that the interior is not completely genuine, and may have been modified at some point.

Brake Pedal
A very good sign of whether the actual miles are true is to look at the brake pedal. Is the rubber on the pedal worn or does it still look new? It should have an appearance that keeps with the miles showing on the pedometer. A warn brake pedal can also tell you if the brake is in good condition. A very worn brake pedal means that the brake has been used a lot, especially if used in a city where the origional driver may have been stopping quite a lot.

Engine
Raise the hood and look closely at the engine. Does it look like it has just been detailed with a shiny unnatural look to it? Do you see any leaks of any kind? Transmission fluid is red, engine oil is black and coolant is either green or orange. Any leak is a bad sign.

Transmission
Does the transmission take off without slipping and seem to shift efficiently? A common problem is a shuddering feeling between 35 to 45 miles per hour. Transmission problems are very expensive so you want to avoid them where possible.

Noises
Does the car drive smooth? Are there any jerks or noises that do not seem normal? Does the engine have plenty of power? Check the lower gears for any sign of lagging in power.