We bought a second hand car in July 2020. Our trusty 15 year old Mazda MX5 failed its MOT (rusty sills) and it wasn't worth it to fix it. Neither of us had bought a car in donkeys years and had no idea where to start.
The idea of buying privately filled us with dread in case we got a dud (we're not experts by any means). Also being ripped off from a dealer meant we wanted to avoid them if possible (and dealing with sales people, shudder).
My Dad had a 1989 MX-5 imported from Japan in 2005, he loved that car until rust eventually killed it off in 2016. It was a sad time and even though he resprayed the chasis I dont think they were built with the Great British weather in mind!
I also have the same dilemma in buying cars, hate dealers because you know you dont get a deal haa! But equally nervous of private sellers, I think I prefer private sellers over dealers because at the end of the day I dont mind fixing a few things here and there and get a great deal as opposed to paying top dollar with a dealer and having to fight with them if there is an issue.
Our car may need to be replaced and I would like to do this more systematically and logically than I've done these things in the past.
Firstly what sort of car should we look for. The main purpose is to drive my wife to work and back. We do have a big dog that often needs boot space and we'd like a safer model. Otherwise it's cost per mile.
I think if you are commuting you are looking for high MPG low tax and reasonably comfortable (arm rest, automatic if predominantly city commute, AC, heated seats etc..), probably looking at a petrol engine due to the shorter trips.
If you have a dog to ferry and need the boot space the obvious choice is probably something like an estate but they wont be as efficient as a small 1.0 petrol, not as easy to park or manoeuvre in city and you are probably looking at diesel, which is probably only worth it long distance commuting. I think a less popular choice but probably more functional/value choice might be to consider an MPV because they have lost a lot of their imagine since everyone wants an SUV meaning they don’t hold their value very well, they are also deceptively big. I think the C4 picasoo, fiat 500L, Ford C max, Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Fiat Doblo etc... Are all pretty cheap and offer decent space. Again you aren't going to impress many people but think of the money that you are saving and you get all the practicality and more than a fake SUV (like Juke, Captur etc..)
If there’s just 2 of you and you are happy with the dog using the back seats folded down you could probably get away with a smaller car which would be more efficient, lower tax, petrol/hybrid/elec and easy to drive in the city. Not sure which cars offer the best flat boot spaces I think the Ford B max is a bit smaller and is pretty flat and the Honda Jazz has a reputation for flat folding seats (kudos for reliability too).
Let us know what you end up with!