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

Size, enough space inside to store all and be able to go for a camping trips with bikes, but not a enormous tank that is a pig to park

Stlye, colour and size - to fit into small parking spaces and my garage

I always look for reliability, value for money and safety.

Not too fussed on colour or design, I just need a reliable car with a large boot and enough room for 2 kids and a partner.

Reliable, feels comfortable to drive and not owned by a smoker before

I have to check it has been owned by non smokers as I hate that lingering smoky smell. To me the car never feels clean when people have smoked in it.

Safety is my priority followed by paperwork showing that the car had been looked after in the form of servicing & having recommended repairs done

I am so sick of whatever car I have being scratched, dinged, dented and the wing mirrors going when parked on supermarket car parks! So when we buy a car for me (OH has his own), we usually get something cheapish that is small and economical for insurance and running costs and is (hopefully) reliable! Not bothered about looks, colour etc. If i won the lottery i would still keep this car - just for those little old biddies to whack with their car doors while i do a luxury food shop!

I would look on line for the lowest insurance group and economy as I am on a tight budget, but a car makes my day to day life so much easier. I would look for a car with a full service history, four doors for ease of getting the children in and out. I look on line on the cars previous MOT history to see what work it has had done. Finally I would look to buy from an independent local garage which offers a warranty for that extra peace of mind.

Small enough to handle easily, safe and a nice colour!

Something that's a decent size (which for us needs to be quite big) and easy to get the back seats down flat. Reasonable fuel economy. Good bodywork and interiors - no dents, scratches, rips or filth. Must be mechanically very sound (I have a checklist), preferably with a full service history and no long list of advisories on the last MOT. I do have preferred makes, ones I'd consider and a few that I wouldn't touch.

It has been regularly serviced, low mileage & history of previous owners.

I look for fuel economy, road tax costs, and then the things like Bluetooth hands free, auto lights, electric mirrors etc. I only do about 3,000 miles a year, but still need a car as I have to do the school run on my way to work, and walking there is impossible - 4 miles each way in rural Hampshire on a 14% gradient hill! Luckily hubsters car is a company car and we are both insured to drive that, so we run that into the ground rather than put miles on mine. Still, that has pitfalls, as he has a list he can choose from, so we can't just have any car we'd like.

Large, useful shaped boot, low mileage, good reviews with regard to reliability.

I normally look for low mileage with good service history, one careful owner and smallish size engine for cheaper insurance and petrol costs.

Obviously we look for a car that's a great price...but there are so many other factors we consider! It has to be big enough to suit our needs, it has to have a full service and MOT history so we can see if there are any problems - and we check online to make sure it's not been written off in the past to avoid other problems!

I love all the gadgets but most of all its reliability...it needs to keep the family safe!

Mine is what repairs it has had done previously (if receipts are available) is it in good working order and there is going to be no boo boos, check everything from the bodywork, under the bonnet, check oil/water quality, check for leaks underneath, test drive for any unusual noises and everything works as it should, the brakes, gears, clutch etc, don't want to purchase a car that's going to need lots of money spent on it

Full service history & recent MOT.
Low mileage & good fuel efficiency.
Good sized boot to fit folded down pushchair & shopping.
To ideally fit 3 car seats though DH would say no, just 2.
Low insurance costs for car ideally too.

Reliability, history, what does it "feel" like - looked after or neglected?

The first thing i'll look at is the mileage on the car and then the service history. Wouldn't touch anything with a very high mileage or with an incomplete service history. I have to admit that the colour is also important but it wouldn't be the deciding factor.

space and reliabilty

good service history which is documented

Something cheap and reliable does well for me .

Safety is important, obviously, but also, to me, reliability is key. I have had so many years of cars breaking down and expensive garage bills, that to have a reliable car is a must.