eBay motors: The safe way to buy your car and find a fair price

Cars are expensive - so it can make a lot of sense to search for a second-hand bargain before a car salesman wins you over.

Everyone's needs are different, which is why eBay is a great place to look. But there’s a big difference between using eBay to find a cheap table and buying a car.

We asked Lucy Burnford, co-founder of free online car management portal Motoriety, for some tips:

1. Don’t rely on ‘full service history’

Paper-based service books with a stamp only give a very basic indication of a car's history. Check out the car's MOT history. Ask to see other maintenance records for wear and tear items like brake pads and tyres. This will help indicate how well-maintained its been on an ongoing basis.

2. Ask about previous MOTs

Find out what that specific car is most likely to fail its MOT for. Motoriety has a free online MOT Failure Forecaster tool which shows how a car fairs during its MOT. This will help you know what to look out for and what work might need doing sooner rather than later.

3. View and test drive the car

No honest seller should have a problem with that. Inspect the car for rust or corrosion and uneven paintwork that could be hiding damage. Test the brakes, try driving the car reverse and in all gears.

4. Invest in an AA inspection

Use the findings and cost of the inspection to either insist required repairs are done, or negotiate a discount on the sale price.

OK, it feels like you're parting with money on a car you might not even buy. But it’s better to spend a little than buy blind and ending up with a £3,500 repair bill a few weeks later (yes, that actually happened to me).

5. Check the paperwork

Check it is registered in the seller’s name and the MOT is up to date. The engine and chassis number, found under the bonnet, should match the registration document.

It's also worth checking for a Logbook loan - if a car is bought on hire purchase and the loan not fully paid off, the car belongs to the bank, not the driver, and could be taken off you if they default on their payments.

You can check this for £19.99 at www.hpicheck.com.

To get our tips on saving money, as well as the best deals and offers we've seen, subscribe to Mirror Money's weekly newsletter below.