Decide on your budget and stick to it. Got to Paying For It Checklist Useful Calculator

Consider what car you would like to buy.

Research cars in your shortlist. Discover price/insurance/running costs/snags

Consider how to sell your existing car/private sale/part exchange .

Research price of your existing car Parkers Guide. Go to Selling My Car Checklist

Consider how you will pay for it. Go to Paying for It Checklist

Research finance option

Try to buy at the month end when salespersons are thinking of their target figures

Think about what you are going to ask when you view. Go to Viewing Checklist

Consider using a specialist inspection firm RAC AA

Consider asking owner to make sale conditional on fresh MOT inspection

Consider arriving early to view car, to ensure cold start for engine

Buying from a dealer:

Use your research on the 'best' price of the car you want to know how low dealer will go

Ignore bluff tactics by salesperson ./'I'll ask my manager/check what we paid...

Stick to your guns and walk away, leaving a contact number

If you agree on a price restart bargaining by asking for extras/guarantees

Be sure to study small print of any guarantee offered

Don't be the one to break the silence at the crunch moment at the end

Consider the merits of being left to sell existing car, but be firm about your price

Repeat your bargaining tactics of firmness as before

Buying privately: .

After test driving car, if you really want it:

Be positive/polite/firm and don't try to make friends if you are to be taken seriously

Ask for information. Don't give it

Offer a price that is rational based on your research

Make seller aware that there are other cars than his to buy

When you make your final   offer be silent. Let seller speak first

Consider how you will pay. Bankers draft is usually best. Go to Paying for it Checklist

Get a receipt for the deposit

Useful links:

DVLA

Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders SMMT

Retail Motor Industry Federation RMIF

Trading Standards

Society of Motor Auctions SMA

Vehicle Builders & Repairers Association VBRA

Association of British Insurers ABI

Insurance Ombudsman