You have done your homework, picked the model of used car you would like to buy next, sorted the finance, checked the ads and . . . there it is, the ideal car!

Or is it? If you don’t know your exhaust pipe from your elbow how can you be sure you won’t be sold a pile of junk in disguise? The answer is to let someone else take a look with you.

This can be as informal as taking along a friend who “knows his motors” or can mean calling in the professionals and spending some extra cash for added security.

Larger breakdown and motoring organisations, such as the AA (www.theaa.com) and RAC (www.rac.co.uk), offer vehicle inspections. They will look at major mechanical, body, electrical and interior components and then give you a written report. Costs can vary.

An alternative is to ask the seller to allow a dealer or garage to look over the car for you. Hopefully, if they are genuine, they won’t mind, but it might be an inconvenience.

You can either use a garage you trust or match the dealer to the brand you are looking at, e.g. get a Ford dealer to give that Focus the once over. The cost is usually based on the garage’s hourly rate. But remember that you are only getting an opinion, not a guarantee, so if you have problems later it is unlikely you have any comeback.

If you are tempted to use an independent specialist make sure they are reputable. If possible go on recommendations. Ideally you need someone with experience of the car you are buying and ask for references beforehand. They can be cheaper than major organisations but you need to be sure they know what they are talking about.

No matter whose advice you take, the main thing is to trust your own instinct. If there is any doubt that this car is not for you or that it might be more trouble than it is worth, just remember that there are plenty more out there. You will live to buy another day.