Never wire money abroad for a vehicle. Paying by cash is the safest option - ask the seller to accompany you to your bank. Ask for two signed receipts after payment - one for you and one for the seller. Make sure the seller's address and car details are on both.

Check the market value of the vehicle. You can research the going rate for a car with our used car search or for £1.50 you can get peace of mind with an SMS valuation. You may want to haggle. Don't make an offer first - ask what the seller realistically expects to get for the car. Make an offer and stay silent. When they look ready to accept, move to shake their hand.

See the car and meet the seller (don't just rely on e mail communication).

• Check that VIN/Chassis numbers on the vehicle to make sure they match each other (found riveted in the engine bay, stamped in the floor beside a front seat or at the base of the windscreen).
• Look for scratches, rust and dents, and make sure the tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread depth.
• Check under the bonnet - oil, washer, brake fluid and coolant levels should be topped up.
• Take the vehicle for a test drive. Start the engine cold and listen for excessive noise. Test the pedals and brakes including the handbrake. Drive across as many different surfaces as possible and use all gears. Test the in-car features.

Do a vehicle history check and use it to make sure the VIN/ chassis number tally with the registration number of the vehicle.

Check the paperwork V5C, MOT certificate and service history. Make sure all the documents are originals.