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Buying a used car is never quite as complicated as it sounds. There are a bunch of things you have to do to make sure you are covered legally and not buying stolen property or anything, but aside from this it is just like buying anything else.

The tricky part is finding the right car for you, and for this purpose, dozens of used car websites have been created for the UK market that cover about 90% of all used cars for sale both from private and trade sellers.

If you are indeed looking to buy a used car but are understandably unsure as to which is the best website to choose, here are the top 5 for you to choose from. All of which are worthy of your attention and can be relied upon to provide an extensive selection to choose form and a rewarding online experience.

Auto Trader – autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader is one of the biggest and most comprehensive used car sites for the UK and for a number of other countries including the US. It not only offers a huge searchable selection of used cars, but new cars, car reviews, insurance deals, advice on buying and selling and links to dozens of dealerships. The best thing about Auto Trader though is the website, which is intuitive, massively comprehensive and has a great deal of sophisticated tech behind it to get you to what you want quickly.

Motors – motors.co.uk

While this site doesn’t have quite as extensive a selection of options as Auto Trader, what it does do it does impeccably. It also impressively allows you to sell your own car for free. You get to upload up to 5 photos, has just a simple form to fill in, lets you have the advert up for 12 weeks and lets you re-list your car for free.

Exchange and Mart – exchangeandmart.co.uk

This well-known name in the world of classified car ads offers a consistently reliable website with a newly added ‘New Cars’ section, taking their reliable ‘Used Car’ model and applying listing from tons of dealers around the country.

Fish 4 Cars – fish4cars.co.uk

This is on the surface a simplified version of what the others offers, but under the bonnet has just as many listings and just as many options as its better known rivals. It even has special web deals. Definitely worth a look.

What Car? – whatcar.com

Most people don’t actually realise that you can buy new and used cars from ‘What Car?’ as it is normally just considered to be a great place for unbiased car reviews. But you can and it’s great, but even if you feel a bit weird about buying from What Car? it has been and will always be one of the very best places to get proper reviews of cars online.

Hope this helps your search!

Hanson Black is a car valuation expert. He can sell a car using just the internet, his knowledge of the market place and some great photography.

Trucks are the lifeblood of the blue collar work force; durable enough to withstand constant use and tough weather, and strong enough to bring whatever is needed for the job along. Of course, storefront truck dealers know this fact and often use it to their advantage when buying and selling trucks. In fact, buying or selling a truck through a brick and mortar truck dealer could potentially lose you thousands of dollars. Thankfully, with the advanced availability of the Internet, interested customers can buy and sell trucks quickly and easily, without flushing their hard earned money down the drain. Of course, the best way to use this amazing technology is to learn more about it. Here are the top 5 tips for buying and selling trucks over the Internet.

1. Advertise Everywhere!

Traditional printed newspaper classifieds are a dying business. The instant news atmosphere of the Internet has changed the way people look for things. They no longer turn to a Wanted ad in the Sunday paper, instead they simply log onto the web and search for what they want instantly.

The Internet has grown exponentially over the past decade, and online classified web-pages have some of the highest volume traffic on the entire web. Websites like Ebay and Craigslist are the new newspaper classified section, as everyone reads them, and they are free to use.

Taking advantage of online advertisements that receive high traffic can not only help online dealers sell more trucks faster, it can also help buyers get the best deal possible. With the stiff competition out there, more online trucks ads usually encourage dealers to have more sales, making truck buyers save more money.

2. Use Pictures and Descriptions to Help Inform Your Customers.

If you are selling a truck online, you need to include as many pictures as possible to entice potential customers. Take pictures of the (properly cleaned) engine, tires, upholstery and exterior. Not only do good pictures of the inside and outside of trucks look pretty, they also get customers to click on your ad at an 85% higher rate than normal. Adding quality descriptions like mileage, engine specification and others to the truck can help buyers find the right trucks, and help sellers attain more customers.

3. Look at Dedicated truck Sales Websites.

While online free classifieds can be good for reaching some customers, many smart buyers and sellers are wary of anonymous Internet interactions. Instead, you can look into advertising with an established and popular truck or truck parts listing website. These sites offer quality descriptions and are visited by thousands of customers every day, not to mention written up in media reviews and other advertisements. Using a dedicated truck listing website can quickly bring in a lot of customers who are serious about buying or selling trucks.

4. Shop Around…Online.

Who wants to waste all of their time and gas money driving around looking at trucks that may or may not fit their advertised description. Instead, truck buyers who shop around online can compare specifications, pictures, and prices all from their comfort of their own home. Not only that, but truck buyers can even start negotiations over e-mail or phone, without having to spend their time or money driving out to the dealer.

5. Read the Reviews.

One of the best features of the Internet is the ability to find out more information about a truck buyer or seller even before talking to them. Many truck listing websites, or even general auction sites allow users to rate their customer experiences with different buyers and sellers. Not only that, but many established dealers are thoroughly reviewed as well. If you read the reviews of a truck buyer or seller, you will not only save yourself some money, but also a good deal of hassle too.

TJ is the managing editor for Trucker to Trucker which specializes in Truck Sales in North America.

A lot of us have vans to move stuff around, and the first thing you think of is the space. A van can help with removals and getting those awkward items to anywhere you want. If you own a van though to get around, then think out of the box and try these 5 uses to make the investment more worthwhile, you might even have some fun along the way.

Makeshift caravan

If you own or lease a van, then you might as well make the most of it. Turn your van into a temporary caravan and take it on holiday! Simply pack some bedding and the essentials in the back of your van and you can drive anywhere you want for a little break. Drive the van out to the country and sleep overnight in the back. This will drastically reduce the costs of your holiday and help you get the most out of your van. This cheap alternative to a caravan is a stroke of genius.

Taking a band on tour

If you know a band, then it’s a perfect time to take them on tour! Cram all their gear in the back of the van and off you go. Explore the country with friends and experience the lifestyle of a struggling band travelling from gig to gig. This is a great use for a van as all travelling bands need one.

Van racing

Racing and vans are not two things you often associate with each other, but they actually go hand in hand. There are certain racetracks around the country that allow a wide range of classes to participate in competitive events. For example, just think of destruction derby events and how many different modes of transports take place. Van racing could be the next big thing, and it could be really fun to belt it around a track in a van. I think we’re onto something!

Extra storage

If you live in cramped residence or a small flat, then some extra storage is always welcome. You can use your van to house a lot of your unwanted junk and even things like clothes. Your van can become your home away from home, and a great place for some free storage if you want to free up some space in your home.

Running a business

If you’re tight on cash from the van leasing repayments then think about running a business from your van, for example you could start a removals business or delivery company taking flowers or goods to local businesses. These small things are a great use for your van and can being in valuable income.

Steve has a small van financed through Nationwide Vehicle Contracts van leasing to run his small business. He is contemplating racing it and taking it on holiday to save money.

Winter is the time of year when you need to pay particular attention to your car in order to make sure it gets you through the coldest months. This is where a little basic maintenance can keep you on the road and here’s what you need to do to get your car ready for winter.

Firstly, make sure your tool kit is complete and up to date. All the basic equipment that you should carry in a car kit is vital during the winter so make sure your car jack, spanner set, screwdrivers and all your other essential tools are present.

In addition, there is a range of items that aren’t necessarily winter exclusive but are even more vital at this time of year. Anti-freeze, de-icer and extra screenwash should be carried at all times.

Away from the basic equipment, one question that faces all motorists is whether they should switch to winter tyres. It’s generally assumed that this type of tyre is only suitable for places in the world where the weather is harsh and extreme but this isn’t the case.

Winter tyres are intended to cope with rain, ice, snow and slush and will offer you better grip all through the colder months. Switching is quick and simple and can offer more safety at this time of year.

General tyre maintenance is also important and this is where you need to be diligent over tyre pressure. It’s recommended that you check your tyres regularly at all times of year but in the winter, this should be done at least once a week.

Car batteries are also vulnerable at this time of year and if you are in any doubt about the ability of your battery to survive the winter, you should change it. It is carrying out so much work that it needs to be in the best shape.

You are relying on your battery to power lights and heaters far more often during darker days, so keep it maintained and replace if necessary. In the first instance, start by cleaning the leads and terminals and keep it clear of grease and winter debris.

A handy tip is to switch off all the lights, radio and heaters before you switch off your engine. This gives your battery one last charge that could prove vital.

This is also the time of year when your windscreen has to deal with more grit, slush and debris than ever before. It is imperative therefore that you carry plenty of screenwash and that you check your wiper blades.

If you have ineffective blades, your windscreen will become smeared and with low sun at this time of year, it will become difficult to see. If you’re in any doubt, get your wiper blades changed.

You should also check your anti-freeze level at least once a week during the winter. Make sure it’s filled to the correct level and that you have the correct mix of water to coolant.

If the worst happens and you do break down, be certain that you have breakdown cover in place. Be sure of packing warm clothes in case you have to wait for assistance.

Winter is the best time of year to get your car fully serviced to make sure it is ready for the coldest months. By trusting your servicing to the experts you can be happier about your vehicle’s ability to survive the worst of the conditions.

Getting your car serviced by the professionals should be seen as an investment in safety.

Beyond that, some very basic maintenance is all you need. So, be certain to attend to every last detail so you can have peace of mind that your car is truly ready for anything the winter elements can throw at it.

Article written by Sam, personal finance blogger and expert on car insurance and savings accounts at MoneySupermarket.

A car accident can be one of the most frustrating situations to be in. If you have been involved in a car accident, there are several things that you must do to ensure that you are not breaking any laws. Knowing how to handle a car accident and what to do afterward will help get the ball rolling with your insurance company and keep you protected if the accident wasn’t your fault. Here are a few things that you should always do after a car accident.

Record The Time And Date

The time and date of the accident is paramount in establishing a timeline for the accident. This is also something that your insurance company will need for their investigation.

Contact Details

Always get the contact information and any other details from other drivers that were involved in the accident. You will need the other driver’s name, address, phone number and the information of any other passengers that were involved. If the driver was driving for work, take down information about their company.

Insurance Information

Get the other driver’s insurance information at the time of the accident. It’s best to get the name of their insurance company and their policy number. If the other driver is not insured, you will need to tell your insurance company that they were not insured.

Vehicle Make And Model

Write down the make and model of the vehicles that were involved in the accident. You will also need the registration number and the colour of the vehicle. When you alert your insurance company, they will need to know this information so they can get in touch with the other driver’s insurance company.

Weather Conditions And Fault

Write down any weather conditions that could have caused the accident. Was it raining or snowing? This is important for the insurance company. Also make a note as to whether or not the driver was using their headlamps. Take pictures of the intersection where the accident occurred and of the way that the cars are situated after the accident.

Police

Call the police to tell them that there has been an accident. Get the collar number of the police officer that shows up. This can be important for the insurance company because they will want a copy of the police report.

Damage And Injuries

Take pictures of any damage to the vehicle and injuries to the drivers. If you have been hurt, get a picture of it. You may need to bill the other driver’s insurance company for medical attention.

Being in a car accident is something that almost everybody goes through. If you are in an accident, knowing how to handle the situation is one of the best ways to get through the incident smoothly. Hopefully these guidelines will help you in the future.

Guest post provided by Policy Expert - UK Insurance Specialists providing a wide array of Insurance Products.

             In the earliest days of motoring, steam engines were immeasurably more reliable and powerful than petrol engines. Their disadvantages were – the now – that engine auxiliaries (furnace, condenser and other details) were more complex than the engine itself. Water consumption was always a big problem and the more efficient little units had intricate plumbing. The first-ever Stanley runabout was a frail little thing completed by F.E Stanley in 1897. He was joined by his brother in 1899. By then only four cars had been sold, but hundreds of orders received. To fulfill the promise the business was sold to Locomobile.

            A feature of all Stanleys of the period was the light tubular underframe connecting both axles together. Bodies had their own chassis frame (of wood) and also carried the steam engine and works. The frames were separated by elliptical leaf springs (a transverse spring on the early Stanleys). The first two cylinder car had its engine positioned vertically under the seats, with the valve motion open to attack by dust and mud. The boiler, placed behind the engine was simple, but with the drawback that the water level had to be constantly watched. Surprisingly condensers (to improve water consumption) were optional extras.

            Locomobile had lost faith in stream cars by 1903 and they sold back the rights to the Stanley brothers, who celebrated this by producing the EX model in 1904. This was so successful that it remained in production until 1909. There were no fundamental changes, although the tubular frame was now sprung on fully elliptic leaf springs all round and the burner was redesigned to run on high-grade kerosene. Boiler and furnace were moved up front, under the ‘bonnet’, and the two-cylinder engine was horizontally placed under the floor, with its crankshaft directly geared to the back axle. Cruising speed was about 30mph, but, with judicious over pressurizing of the stream engine, up to 50mph was possible. The range between stops for water, because of a big tank, was now 40 to 50 miles.

             Stanley steam cars, in progressively improved form, were made until 1927.  While many associate steam cars as primitive akin to steam engines of old – it is often forgotten just how fast, speedy and reliable steam power water driven early autos actually were and what a milestone rather than novelty automobile that they represent overall.  Just ask proud vintage automobile noted auto collector and most proud owner of a vintage Stanley Steamer “Jay Leno” of “Tonight Show” fame and notoriety.

Ted Reitman

Coquitlam Chrysler 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE/SXT 4-DR PASSENGER VAN

Auto Truck Sales Vancouver British Columbia Canada

When it comes to sub-compact cars, the industry has never been hotter. Rapidly increasing fuel prices around the world have prompted manufacturers to cater to increasing consumer demand for vehicles that can drive long distances on relatively low amounts of fuel. To that end, Fiat recently reintroduced itself to the North American market, selling its vehicles in both the United States and Canada for the first time in decades. Its mission in Canada and the United States is clear: compete with sub-compact vehicle manufacturers and beat them at the game of winning over MPG-conscious consumers.
So, who are Fiat’s biggest competitors in Canada? Who will the company be taking direct aim at in the very near future?

1. SMART (a division of Daimler)

There is perhaps no better-known sub-compcact car manufacturer than the SMART company owned by Daimler. The company has made a name for itself by producing ultra fuel efficient vehicles that have just two seats. The cars are extremely small — up to half as small as modern compact cars and sedans — and they offer unparalleled fuel mileage without incorporating a hybrid engine. SMART cars, especially the SMART ForTwo, have taken off in Canada, the United States, and abroad, as the smart vehicle choice for urban residents who don’t regularly haul equipment, belongings, or more than one other person.

The SMART line of vehicles has also made its way into may urban “car sharing” programs, such as ZipCar, on account of its compact size, ease of maintenance, and the high mile-per-gallon averages that these cars get on the highway. Most of these companies pay for the gas their consumers use, so it’s the wise choice to keep those costs down.

2. The Mini (produced by BMW)

Once produced by the British Motor Corporation, or BMC, the Mini (or Mini Cooper), is a strong sub-compact car offering in the United States and Canada that directly competes with the SMART ForTwo — and, therefore, with Fiat and its 500 model sub-compact automobile. The Mini is one of the longest-running sub-compact cars and was winning this game long before it became fashionable to drive such a small car in North America. Though its original manufacturer is now out of business, the rights to the Mini brand and design cues were recently purchased by BMW for manufacture, sale, and distribution in the North American market.

To that end, the first “new” Mini rolled off the assembly line in Canada in 2009, and it has been a complete success for BMW. The car is undoubtedly a fashion statement and, when it comes to classic design, it bests even the more modern SMART ForTwo in aesthetics. Fiat is competing directly with BMW for the title of leading sub-compact car in Canada, and it’s going to be a tough battle. While BMW and the BMC-based Mini brand have a storied history in Canada, Fiat has been gone for several decades and is a relatively unknown brand for many consumers interested in a new sub-compact model of automobile.

3. The Ford Fiesta

Ford has traditionally been resistant to selling a sub-compact automobile in the North American maker, but as demand has increased for these cars, the company has seen its balance sheet struggle. In bringing the Fiesta to Canada and the United States from the European market where it was traditionally sold, the company has thrown its hat into the ring for the title of leading sub-compact manufacturer. And there’s a good reason to believe that it may end up beating all of the other competitors, including the brand new Fiat 500 recently introduced the Canada. The car is stylish, modern, and far more forward-thinking than either the Mini or the SMART ForTwo.

Lots of Work Ahead

Fiat has its work cut out for it in the months and years to come, as many already-established brands vie for the title of Canada’s leading sub-compact manufacturer. The company has an uphill battle to fight, and only time will tell if it manages to emerge with a great balance sheet and marketshare statistic.

One thing that Fiat has going for it is competitive auto insurance rates.  These sub-compacts are relatively cheap to insure which makes them particularly appealing to cost cutting consumers.  Drivers can quickly compare car insurance quotes at Kanetix and determine which vehicles best match their budget.

These days, money is tight for a lot of people and buying a brand new car might be a luxury that you simply cannot afford.  Thankfully used cars are a great thing to consider these days and there are many benefits to going down this particular route.  If you are going to buy a used car then there are a few things you will need to think about such as:

• Your budget is very important.  You need to know how much you can afford to spend on a car before you start looking.  There is no point in looking for lots of different cars that you would never be able to afford.  There are many places where you will find used cars for sale such as in the local classifieds or online.  If you are looking online, you should be able to set your maximum amount so that you are only looking at cars that are within your budget. 
• Think about the running costs of the car.  This is very important but something that a lot of people tend to neglect.  There are so many people these days who forget to think about the insurance costs and the road tax as well as the cost of petrol for the car they are about to buy.  They then find that they can’t afford to keep the car on the road and may be forced to sell the car – usually at a loss.
• Don’t allow yourself to be pushed into buying a used car that you really don’t want.  It is a good idea to take your time and be patient so that you don’t end up with a car that you are unhappy with.  Making sure you have fully researched the car you intend to buy is probably the best way to avoid ending up with something that is going to really annoy you afterwards.  Look for any problems that others might have had with similar cars before you buy.  If there are any problems, there will definitely be something mentioned online.
• It is a good idea to know the type of car that you want before you start looking.  Think about the things that you would like your car to have and the things that you would rather it didn’t have.  Make a list and then look for these particular features when shopping for a used car.  Safety is a high priority for many people these days and another thing that many people look for is fuel efficiency.  Be sure to find out about these before you purchase.
• Know the average price of the car you are thinking of buying.  Without knowing this, there is no way for you to determine whether or not you are getting a good deal.  You can have a good look online at the price of similar cars to the one you are thinking of buying and then you can work out whether or not the asking price is reasonable. 
• Don’t forget to bargain with the seller.  Whether you are buying from a dealer or a private seller, you can be pretty sure the asking price will be more than they are expecting to get for the car.  Most of these sellers will put the price up a bit to take negotiations into account so never pay the original asking price or you will be paying too much.
• Be sure to go an view the car before you agree to buy it.  You need to make sure that it is in good condition before parting with your hard earned cash. 

Musa is a freelancer who enjoys writing about differnt topics. His current project involves writing about used cars for sale.

Is there anyone in the world who has not seen, admired, driven or owned an MGB? Until Japanese cars like the Datsun Z-class, and the Mazda MX-5/Miata finally racked up higher figures in the 1990s, the MGB was the world’s best-selling sports car. Announced in 1962, made steadily until 1980, yet recognizably the same at the end, as in its beginning, the four-cylinder MGB notched up sales of 513,272. Along the way, another nine thousand six-cylinder MGCs, and 2,591 MGB GT V8s were also built. Nor was that all, for in the early 1990s the Rover group briefly revived a restyled, V8-engined version of the car, calling in the MG RV8, and selling most of them to Japan.

            Conceived as BMC’s mass production sports car for the 1960s, and to replace the successful MGA, the MGB had a sturdy new monocoque shell, and a style devised by Abingdon (Italian influence was not needed), the running  gear being a developed version of that used in the old MGA. With 95bhp from 1.8-litres, and a more slippery shape, the original roadster was capable of more than 100mph. Overdrive was optional (it would not be standardized until the 1970s), automatic transmission eventually became a short-lived option, and from 1965 there was even a smart and extremely successful fastback coupé/hatchback version called the MGB GT.

            Like many a previous MG, the sporty, stylish two-seater shape hid positively mundane running gear. Properly maintained by any competent mechanic or BMC dealer (which was one charm of this car, especially when being run thousands of miles from Britain), an MGB could go on forever, with saloon-type running costs. Engine and transmission were both shared with other mass-production BMC (later, British Leyland) cars, while the chassis, with its coil spring front suspension and beam axle/leaf-spring rear was extremely conventional, but here was a sports car which was more than the sum of its carts. The fabled ‘Abingdon Touch’ was certainly applied to this model.

            Not only did it look good, but it handled well, and tuners soon found that race-prepared cars could be made to go very fast too. Although not outstanding on the track, the MGB still figured in endurance racing – the ‘works’ motor sport department, for instance, preparing a succession of long-nosed cars to content, and complete, the legendary Le Mans 24 Hour race.

            Although a new all-synchromesh gearbox was fitted from late 1967, and there were regular cosmetic retouching in the 1970s, the MGB was really allowed to go on too long without a major update. For 1975 it was necessary to fit vast, controversially styled, rubber bumpers for the car to go on selling in North America, at which point the ride height went up and the road holding suffered.

By the late 1970s British Leyland had lost faith in it (they also favored the in-house rival, Triumph, at this time), American emission rules had strangled the engine too far, and an overhead-camshaft engine transplant was ruled out. The consequence was that the MGB finally died of senile decay. The good news, though, is that body shells were later remanufactured in numbers, all parts were available through the 1990s, and the MGB was as much of an icon in the 2000s as it was all those years ago.

Kenny B. Simpson

Longstanding British car enthusiast  Edmonton auto dealer specializing in Mazda cars including the RX7

Selling your used car seems easy, in theory. But all of the work that needs to be done before and after you put your vehicle up for sale can actually be a daunting task. The fact that the sale price you receive for your used car can be put toward your next vehicle should be motivation enough to put everything you have into getting the most for your current mode of transportation. Look at the following advice to gain a better idea of the various aspects you must prepare before selling your car as well as after it has sold.

Prepare for the Sale

There are many different aspects you can consider when it comes to getting your current vehicle ready to be looked at and, eventually, sold. Both the interior and exterior of the vehicle should be clean and neat, without junk, trash or clutter filling back seats, pockets or glove compartments. Potential buyers will look at the way you have care for the inside and outside of the car as an indicator or the kind of attention you have paid the engine and mechanical portions. If your car is full of trash or stains, potential buyers could assume that you have cared for the engine similarly.

Take Quality Images

Although professional pictures of your car are not necessary, taking quality photos from multiple angles is a good way to show shoppers that you are not hiding any aspect of your car. Take pictures under the hood, of the dashboard with mileage and of both the exterior and interior of the car. Note any issues with the body, interior or engine ahead of time.

Make the Sale Known

There are a multitude of websites and advertisement opportunities on the World Wide Web that will help you market the sale of your car. But while the internet offers unique opportunities to get the word out about your used car, make sure you also inform friends, family and acquaintances of the status of your vehicle. Use websites that allow free posting in your local area, posting pictures and offering contact information in turn. In addition, a traditional newspaper advertisement in the classified section may even be accompanied by an online ad in the e-version of the newspaper.

Make Smart Transactions

With the availability of the internet, scams are a dime a dozen. Never wire money for shipping costs and always ask for cash, even noting the preference in your placed advertisements. Checks can easily bounce after you have already handed over the keys to your car.

It can also be much simpler to place ads locally, dealing with buyers in your area rather than traveling to show your car and wasting time or money. Make sure you place ads on reliable websites to insure you do not get calls or inquiries that waste your time or set you up for a scam.

David is an avid auto enthusiast and business owner who enjoys educating consumers on how to find the best deals on used cars in Houston. David works at a Houston car dealership and lives in Sugar Land with his wife and 2 kids.