Tell Co-op Insurance what you look for when buying a used car - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EllieMumsnet]

Whether you are buying a small family car, something fun for yourself, or perhaps a first car for your teenager, there are many things to consider such as size, fuel economy, and comfort to name a few. Co-op Insurance think safety is really important but would like to find out what is most important to you when you are buying a used car.

Here’s what Co-op Insurance has to say: “We know safety is paramount when it comes to driving children around and finding an affordable used car that offers the best safety standards will be important to many mums. For this reason we have identified and unveiled the top 5 used cars (under £5,000) for passenger safety. Whether it's your teenager’s first car or your car, passenger safety is very important and often an afterthought with all the other aspects to think about.”

So what is important to you when buying a used car? Are you savvy in finding the best price or do you shamelessly want a nice colour? Perhaps it’s all about the in-car entertainment for you to avoid the dreaded ‘are we there yet’? Or are you adamant that you must be able to fit three car seats in the back? Whatever your most important features are, please share them below and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 voucher of your choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

I'm at the other end of this. My last 2 cars have been shared with teenagers and have done sterling service. However DS and DD now have their own cars and so my latest car purchase was just for meeeeee.

I was looking for something small and efficient, but also something nice. I'm so over basic models. Rebutable brand, and good service history were a given, but I also wanted comfort, phone compatibility, warm seats, built in sat nav, advanced safety feature etc.

I bought an electric car - to get the efficiency that I was after along with the spec, but my message to manufacturers is - don't assume that just because your customer is female and wants a small car that she doesn't want technology and comfort as well.

For me, it's safety, affordability and then boot space. It means I have unglamorous cars, but good runners. I like my boxy unglamorous car!

I have some really strict criteria - for me I will not put little ones in the back of 2/3 door cars. As I child I witnessed an awful accident whereby the child in the back (my school friend) could not get out and the mother had passed out at the wheel. I am sure many people will disagree and prefer the argument that there are no doors to interfere with but it is my personal preference. After that it is down to safety. Then to size for pushchairs etc.

Low mileage and a full service and MOT history

We've just bought a used car as our second car due to me returning to work. Our must haves were:

Small size (I'm anxious about parking)
Aux in for music and sat nav on my phone)
Low mileage
Low car tax
Fuel efficient
4/5 door (to make it easier getting kids in/out)
Ideally under 3 years old (or with manufacturer's warranty remaining)
Removable rear head rests (so we can fit the high back booster seat)
We ended up with a 3 year old Toyota Aygo and I'm delighted with it.

Our must haves for our next family car are:

7 seats
Possible hybrid (cost issue!)
12v charging point in the boot near to the pop up seats
Aux in, Bluetooth connectivity or Apple CarPlay
Rear (and ideally front) parking sensors
Park assist (I want this!)
Has to look understated but designed (DH is a designer so he won't buy just anything!)
Reasonable car tax and fuel efficient, not bonkers insurance either.
An intuitive car interface for Apple CarPlay (again, DH!) and easy stereo controls.
Small enough (or perceived small enough) that I'm happy to drive it.

Basically the family car will be a nightmare because I want practical and DH want's the look. DH is easily frustrated with badly designed interfaces and layouts. We love our C3 Picasso but we're outgrowing it fast even with a roof box.

Low mileage, reliability, ability to carry bikes.

Good mileage

I usually look for engine size but economical, it has to tow our caravan, to be a reliable make (we have recently bought our 2nd Toyota and feel they are to be trusted) Colour is irrelevant and choose low mileage when possible, we just need a safe family car. We have had to buy older cars over the last 10 yrs so, rust free and a service history is a good start too. Buy from a reliable source and check for paint on the rubber seals as it may have been re painted after being in an accident.The rest is luck really, there are good older cars and poor new ones. You hope to get a good one

Low mileage and a complete service record

Congratulations to mamof3boys whose name was pulled from the draw to win the £300 voucher!