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

Child locks!!!
But otherwise reliable and in good condition

safety, reliability, low running cost, service history

With a used car I would want to know if it had any modifications, to ensure it is safe for my kids, I would look for rust and mileage. I would also find out in advance how much the road tax is!

Safety ratings. Total running costs - tax and insurance in particular as due to bad planning and admin skills they fall due just before Christmas!

I went for practical as my silly DH wanted to get a 3 door convertible- in the UK?!?! I got a 5 door with a decent size boot, I wanted something good on fuel and not too big. I also wanted something which wasn't too expensive to buy.

Whether the previous owner has looked after it.

has to have a good sized boot!

To be honest, other more well-informed people would advise me about safety, reliability, model etc - I would look at price, features and colour.

Safe, eco friendly, reliable.

Safety first, so full service history and be reliable.

Prefer an automatic and air conditioning for children.

We always buy used.

• Styling as I want a car I like the like the look of
• Well maintained so service history is essential. Mileage doesn't put me off although wouldn't go above 80k
• Age as although used I try and buy cars that are 5 years old or less
• Colour as I've only owned black cars in the last 20 years and this is a strong preference
• Make as I do have some strong preferences (currently own an Audi)

Don't buy a used car in the rain! Did this with our first and the next day we put the visors down to block the sun... they fell off as they'd only been held up with duct tape!

When im looking for a car it has to have a bit of character. Such as a mitzibishi is very angry looking so i wouldnt choose one of them, a old style micra has big googley eyes and looks a bit like a frog so a green one of them is definately a no go! The new fiesta with the oval grill at the front looks like its wallace (from wallace and gromit) style smiling so thats like an awkward smile so id probably stay away from those too! A fiat 500 is cute like a baby of the car world although there is some really awful colours of them.

Ok so ive read this back and i am officially loosing the plot!

Too many times i have been sat watching Disneys Cars with my mini people.

As long as it fits us all and has nice character then that will do me !

I definitely look for mileage, service history and how many previous owners. Now i have two children i will definitely be looking for space and boot space as well.

I never know what to look for - luckily my uncle is a mechanic so he makes sure it is safe. I always look for silly things like a lot of boot space!

I changed my car last September from an old Renault Modus, which had seen me through the baby and primary school years, we we to a car supermarket so I could directly compare models, I'd definitely recommend this. I wanted something small and economical and first test drove a small Peugeot but it felt tinny and rattly. I was persuaded by my OH to try the VW UP ! And I loved it ! I bought it on the spot, I liked the size, stylkng, economy but he was sold on the safety and I'm chuffed it scored 2nd in the Co Op list. I now know so many people who have bought them and love them.

Reliability is absolutely key - preferably a full service history to prove it's been looked after. Not much matters other than that, apart from making sure I can get the pushchair in the boot!

one that works, has lower mileage and not too expensive on insurance

I need it to be an automatic and not an American car! I need to be able to fit three car seats in the back as well.

1. Reliability
2. Big enough for three car seats and I only got two DC but when I pick up extra passengers I don't want to compromise on whoever is sitting between them comfort.
3. Fuel & insurance efficient

Low mileage is a must for me. Also a good boot space for all the shopping!

I look for space and comfort. I need a car that can fit 2 adult childen and a high back car seat in the back. I like some of the little luxuries (to me a cup holder is a bonus!)

Reliability, service history, boot space.

I always look at how the owners have treated the car, If its been regularly serviced, cleaned and looked after I'd be happy.

Reliability. So a service history, low mileage and long MOT
Next a big boot!