Frequently Asked Questions

Buy a new car

I'm looking for a new car. How do I go about it? Fortunately, this site has a user-friendly search engine to assist you. If you go to the NEW CARS section via the homepage, you can search using the following criteria: manufacturer, model, minimum/maximum price, body style, transmission (manual or automatic) and fuel type; with an added feature that allows you to further specify car-type details (in 'keyword' form, ie: GTi) and also the opportunity to ONLY search cars recently added to the site's inventory or cars recently reduced in price from previous listings. Once you have completed the necessary fields, hit SEARCH for your results. Cars are listed cheapest first. Click on the relevant search-link to see further details of the car; including model specifications, location and finance details. There will also be contact details on this page for the seller / dealer. If your search results in no matching cars, you may need to revise the search criteria; for example: enter a higher maximum price.

What kind of things do I look for when buying a used car? Use a price-guide to ensure you're not paying over the odds, and try to read at least one review before arranging a test drive www.whatcar.com review several new vehicles, as does www.which.co.uk - Make sure the car you choose suits your pocket, needs and lifestyle, and always ensure you get an Insurance quote before purchasing.

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Buy a used car

This guide will aim to provide you with some advice and information you will need to make the right choices when buying a second-hand car. This advice is given to help you to buy a used car that is as safe and reliable as a new car - at a fraction of the price.

How do I decide what car to buy? Before you begin searching for your car, be sure you know what car you want to buy and don't be tempted to make a spur of the moment purchase that you will later regret. Make sure you know the type of car you want and stick to it! Firstly, look at your surroundings, and choose a type of car that suits your needs - measure your garage/ work parking space and be sure the car you choose will fit. Also think of the rest of the family - children/ dogs, and chose a car that is practical and meets their needs too. Also think of your build and shape and make sure that the driver's seat is suitable for your needs, that the steering column adjusts and that you can see out clearly. Also, think carefully about your lifestyle and the job you want your car to do. Do you have any hobbies? i.e. will your car need to tow a caravan or make long journeys on difficult roads - maybe an MPV would suit? Or if your car is for shorter journeys in the city, maybe consider a small hatchback with power steering. Whatever your lifestyle, make sure you choose a car that meets it needs!

How much should I spend on a used car? Once you've decided the general type of car you'd prefer, narrow your search by looking at the running costs for cars of that type from the different car-makers. Think seriously about how much you can afford to spend on your car and remember to include the cost of insurance, MOT, road tax, petrol, and servicing. Ask dealers for estimates of typical repairs to get an idea of what the car is going to cost you. Factors like dealers prices, insurance and servicing costs, fuel economy and depreciation vary a great deal between even similar cars. Getting the detail on these costs will help you make a better choice and could save your hundreds of pounds every single year. Be sure not to pay over the odds for your car by picking up a car price guide which, although not completely accurate, should give you a good idea of what you should look at spending. However bear in mind that you should expect to pay a bit more for extra's such as air conditioning, an auto gearbox, or leather seats.

What questions should I ask before deciding on a purchase? You need to obtain as many details about the vehicle as possible - be sure you know the following information.

How many previous keepers has it had?
What's the mileage/Do you know if it's genuine?
What sort of condition is the car in?
Any outstanding finance or HP agreement?
Does it have tax and MOT?
Does it have any service records?
Have you had any major problems with it?
Has it had any accidents? What was the damage? Where was it repaired?
Has it been modified in any way?
Has anything been replaced on it lately?

How do I check that the car is in good condition? You don't have to be an expert to give a car a revealing going - over and get a good idea of its condition. In general, be sure to take a good look at the bodywork, the wheels and tyres, check the brakes, the glass, the shocks & suspension, lights, doors and tax.

How do I test drive the car properly? Make sure that you test drive the car on a range of roads for a drive of at least 10-15 miles. Take it on a motorway or dual carriage way so that you can open up fully. Check that the car is licensed (has a valid tax disc) and has an MOT certificate, and check that you are properly insured (i.e. look for written confirmation that you're covered under your own policy or the seller's) before you drive on the road. As the driver, it's your responsibility to make sure the car can be used on the road. Take a friend with you for that valuable second opinion. Also, be sure to view the car in daylight so that you are able to see it in the best possible lighting.

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Teletext Bargains

Save ?1000's on the cost of a new car! From superminis to 4x4's, we have hundreds of new and used models from dealers all over the country, all at greatly reduced prices. To start searching for a fantastic deal near you, Click Here

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Part exchanges

What do I need to do before I part exchange? If you've got a car to part-exchange, you'll want to get the best price. There are a few simple things to do in order to get the most money for your old car.

Make sure you can find all of the paperwork, including the V5C registration document and current MOT certificate.
Check the details on the paperwork are correct, and get them corrected if need be.
Make sure your service history is up to date. If you have missing stamps or have lost the service book, speak to your garage about filling in the blanks. Your car will worth more if the history is intact.
Find all the sets of keys, including central locking remotes.
If the car needs any servicing or remedial work, investigate getting it carried out. However, it's possible this may cost more than the additional value your car will gain.
Dealers are unlikely to be bothered by a dirty car but ensure that it isn't filthy or unhygienic

Can I get a valuation online?

Age
Condition
Documentation
Ownership
Specification

What will I need to hand over with the car? The dealer will need:

The current registration document - V5 logbook.
Current MOT certificate if applicable.
Service history book and any invoices to support the servicing of the car.
Spare keys, particularly the master keys.

Which vehicles are unlikely to be accepted in part exchange?

American vehicles (what's it doing here anyway)
Left hand drive
Specialist vehicles

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How to buy insurance

Why insure my car at ALL? Motor Insurance is (legally) mandatory for all vehicle owners in the UK. The minimum cover required is 'Third Party Only' (which only covers any third parties in the event of an accident) for any vehicles in use; however any 'off the road' vehicles (ie: vintage cars kept off the road in private lock-ups/garages and NOT in use) are exempt from this rule - though owners may choose some cover, such as 'Fire and Theft Only'. There are two more types of Motor Insurance in addition to these two, the more commonly purchased policies : 'Third Party, Fire and Theft' and 'Comprehensive' - which offers the most protection; to the Insured, listed drivers and all potential third parties.

How do I go about getting my car insured? There are more options for choosing and purchasing Motor Insurance now than ever before. The web has made Insurances of all types easier to search for, compare and acquire. Many web-based brokers also ask for just one application form, which they can then use as your proposal form; minimising the work involved for the consumer. Unfortunately, the presence of the web has also killed off many "high street" Insurance Brokers, especially the smaller, independent businesses, as more and more consumers opt for the convenience of shopping online. Before purchasing Motor Insurance, be aware of all your options. There may still be fully operational Brokers in your area; many consumers feel the benefits of such services once policies have been purchased; such as when/if they should make a claim, preferring the face-to-face service that a broker can offer, always missing when policies are purchased online. For impartial advice, see www.insurancexpert.co.uk. By contrast, you may find a cheaper policy online as several "direct" web-only insurers waive the brokers' fee to benefit the consumer. Make sure, however when purchasing Insurance as with anything, that you read the small print. Choose a long-established reputable company, and time permitting, shop around to compare prices (most High Street brokers will use a plethora of different Insurers and can therefore shop for the best price on your behalf, as well as selecting a policy suited to your own specific needs).

For Teletext Ltd's Insurance page, Click Here

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How to buy finance

How do I decide where to buy my finance from? Deciding on where to buy your finance from can often seem very complex, especially as there are so many options available to choose from. Although some people only think of their bank or the dealer for finance, shopping around for a number of quotes from other finance providers can often save you money. Teletext recommend that you compare at least three different options to ensure you secure a good deal - although do not be tempted to apply for a large number of loans as this will damage your credit rating. The most important considerations are that you can afford the monthly repayments and be sure that the repayment plan suits you before agreeing to the loan. When organising the loan for your car, always make sure you are aware of all additional charges and bear in mind that the longer the loan, the greater the total cost. However, opting for a four or five year deal may mean being able to buy a more expensive car, simply because the monthly payments are more manageable. Always ask about the following, before accepting the terms of your loan; the size of any final payment, any extra charges that may be added at the end of the agreement, early settlement charges, plus any added extra's such as payment protection insurance. Also remember to make sure that the rate you are being quoted is the APR, not a flat rate. Please refer to our list of financial terms to make sure you know exactly what you are being charged...

What do all those financial terms actually mean?0% Finance: A finance agreement with no interest charges. If you take this finance option on a ?10,000 car, you pay back ?10,000.
APR: Annual Percentage Rate. A standard method of calculating how much the loan will cost you over the full period of the loan. The APR reflects the total charge for credit and is different to the flat rate. The lower the APR, the cheaper the loan.
Equity: The difference between the value of the car and what you owe on it.
Flat Rate: The monthly interest rate charged. Watch out for flat rates being quoted instead of APRs: the flat rate is not the true cost of the loan and it's usually around half the APR so it sounds cheaper.
Fixed rate: The interest rate charged and/or the monthly payments are fixed throughout the length of the agreement.
Negative Equity: When your car is worth less than your outstanding finance.
Secured Loan: The finance company can repossess the item being financed such as your house or car if you fail to pay the money owing.
Unsecured Loan: The finance company has no security against the loan. PCP: Personal Contract Purchase. A personal finance scheme which defers part of the payment for the car until the end of the loan, when the car is usually traded in. A deposit is usually required upfront, plus a final 'balloon' payment if you wish to own the car at the end of the finance agreement. There are also often additional fees such as an 'option to purchase fee' to be paid before the car is yours.
Residual value (or guaranteed minimum future value): Anticipated value of the car at the end of the finance agreement. Only applicable to PCPs.
Hire Purchase: With hire purchases, the finance provider owns the car, and the customer buys it over the agreed period. With HP, a deposit may be needed, and the finance is generally secured on the car itself. Again, there may be an additional fee to be paid before the car is yours.
Trade Value: What your car is worth in the trade. This will be lower than the retail value of your car as the trade has to allow for mark up on vehicles they sell.

How do I check my Credit Rating? If you have no idea what your credit report shows, you can order a 3-bureau (TRW, Equifax, & TransUnion) credit report from CreditReporting.com. See what's in your report before you speak to any car dealer or financial institution. Many people don't know what's on their credit report, but bear in mind your perspective lenders may have already seen it. Be sure you are aware of what is written about you, and you have the control to correct any information on there that is not true.

What are the different ways in which I can borrow money?Unsecured Loan: Buying a car outright with an unsecured personal loan can be a convenient way of making up your purchase. Unsecured loans are normally repayable on a monthly basis although you can now pay some on a weekly basis at a fixed rate of interest. They are not linked to any security, such as your property, hence the use of the term unsecured. The upshot of this is that the lender will have little option but to sue you to recover their money in the event that you fail to repay the loan in full. Remember to look at the rates closely as some car sales companies will make more out of the loan then they do from the car. This is why they try to pressurise you into taking their finance.
Hire Purchase: If you buy a car on hire purchase, you will only own the car after the majority of the credit has been repaid. There is one other thing to remember with hire purchases - you don't even have to buy the car outright. So long as you have paid at least 50%, you will be able to give the car back and you will owe nothing else.
Personal Lease: This is just a glorified term for renting a car. You will not have to worry about MOT's or repairs as this is all included in the lease agreement and at the end of the lease, you return the car. One important thing to look for is the amount of miles you are restricted to each year so make sure it is enough for your needs. If you go over the mileage you will be charged per mile, and this can be very expensive.
Part Exchange: If you have a car already, give it a good clean inside and out when you go to part exchange it. This makes a large difference to the price the dealer will give you. Most places will part exchange your old car against another vehicle. You are often best trying to sell your car privately first, as you will normally get more for it.

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Teletext Approved

The Teletext Approved Dealer scheme is explained here.

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Searching for a vehicle

Why Are No Make Or Models Showing When I Try To Search For A Vehicle? Sometimes browsers will not load properly due to internet connection speeds or problems. Please refresh your browser and load the page again. If you are still having a problem, make sure you have java script enabled. Please view your browsers help feature for more information on how to enable java script.

Why Can't I Find A Certain Make Or Model When Searching For A Vehicle? The vehicle make and model drop down menus lists every make and model that we may have stored in our database at any one time. If the make and model you are seeking results in an unsuccessful search, no vehicles that match the make and model you are seeking currently exist in our database. Try widening your search by changing the price, age & region or leaving some of the filters empty.

Why Do Some Searches Take Longer Than Others? At peak operating periods, it may take longer to search our site due to the higher volume of traffic. Searches may also take longer depending on how many results a particular vehicle has. If a search does not complete within fifteen to twenty seconds, please submit the search again.

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Who are the advertisers?

Can you tell me much about the advertisers on the site? ALL of the cars for sale via the site are listed by pre-approved and reputable traders and dealers - there are NO "private" car ads listed at all. The dealers / traders are based all over the U.K to maximise availability and to make enquiries and purchases as easy and convenient as possible to the consumer. The dealers and traders are as diverse as they are wide-spread; many of them specialising in used or new cars, commercial vehicles or collectable cars. Many offer a "part exchange" service on used cars, finance agreements, collection/delivery services or just practical advice to motorists.

...any OTHER advertisers on the site? Yes, there are several ads and links to loans companies and Insurers on the site, making the whole process of purchasing a car - used or new - almost a "one-stop-shop"! In addition, there are several third party ads, pop-ups, buttons and banners. If you are interested in advertising on the site as a trader or a dealer, please call DMR on 0845 273 4877. If your enquiry is about display advertising(ie : banners, pop-ups etc) you can call the Web Sales Team on 0870 731 5000 or alternately email us direct at:, web7@teletext.co.uk

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Advertising

Teletext's services on analogue and digital TV attract nearly 18 million people every week, more than a decade after it's launch in 1993. It also operates the Teletext Holidays website along with a number of SMS text alert services for mobile phones.

So whether you're looking for a fantastic holiday, a great car deal, the latest score, entertainment gossip, up-to date headlines, market updates or this week's winning lotto numbers, Teletext is making sure you are never more than a press of a button away from the information you need.

Teletext is owned by Associated Newspapers Limited - a subsidiary of The Daily Mail and General Trust which also own the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and Evening Standard. We are licensed and regulated by Ofcom. As part of our licence, we are required to publish an annual self-assessment and an annual statement of programme policy.

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Problems using the site

Can't find what you're looking for? Sign up for free email alerts when your preferred car becomes available.

Too many results? Try narrowing it down with our advanced search options.

Not sure what you're after? Read some of our road tests and reviews for some recommendations.

Looking for peace of mind? Use our approved car search

Need to get in touch? Email webmaster@teletext.co.uk or call 0870 731 3000.

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Contact us

Thank you for taking the time to use the Teletext Cars web site. We hope you enjoyed using it and found it useful. Should you need to contact us, please use any of the methods below:

Registered Office:
TELETEXT LIMITED
THIRD FLOOR BUILDING 10
CHISWICK PARK
566 CHISWICK HIGH ROAD
LONDON W4 5TS

Telephone:
Neil Johnson - 0870 731 3412

Advertising Enquiries:
haydn@dmri.co.uk 01722 417096

All Other Enquiries:
webmaster@teletext.co.uk

Other Info: Teletext Ltd is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998, ref Z6064260

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Site security

What information do I have to give?
We collect personal information from you through the use of enquiry and registration forms and each time you e-mail us your details.

We also collect information automatically about your visit to our site. This information, which includes demographic data and browsing patterns, is collected via the use of cookies (see below) and session file information.

How is that personal information used?
We use personal information collected via teletextcars.co.uk to:

provide you with information about the products and services we offer
provide you with a more personalised service
conduct market research
run competitions and promotions
help other companies profile and extend their databases
to facilitate communication between yourself and others

We currently only keep "sensitive data", as defined by the Data Protection Act 1998 for the explicit purpose of providing initial and renewal car insurance quotations.

Is that information shared with anyone else?
Yes, we occasionally pass on the information to selected companies to provide you with other offers and promotions.

What about security?
We use 128 bit encryption technology for the transmission from you to us of financially sensitive data, i.e. credit card details, but cannot guarantee the security of any data you send to us.

Data Protection

teletextcars.co.uk is wholly owned by Teletext Ltd., which is registered under the 1998 Data Protection Act, ref Z6064260

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Privacy

In this section we will explain the data processing practices of teletextcars.co.uk.

Personal Information - We collect personal information from you either through the use of enquiry and registration forms and each time you email us your details. We also collect information automatically every time you visit our site. This information, which includes demographic data and browsing patterns, is collected via the use of cookies and session file information.

The personal information collected on Teletextcars.co.uk is used for the following purposes...

to provide you with information about the products and services we offer
to be able to personalise our service to you
to conduct market research
to run competitions and promotions
to provide other selected companies with your details so they can inform you of any other offers and promotions you may be interested in
to help other companies profile and extend their databases
to facilitate communications between yourself and others

As defined by the Data Protection Act 1998, we only keep 'sensitive data' for the explicit purpose of providing initial and renewal car insurance quotations.

Use of cookies - We use 'cookies' to identify you when you visit teletextcars.co.uk (members don't have to enter a password every time they visit) and to build up a profile of our regular users.

A cookie is a small piece of information sent by a web server to a web browser, which enables the server to collect information back from the browser. Our use of cookies also allows members to be presented with a personalised version of the site. We will only read cookies from your cookie file placed there through your web browser's interaction with the teletextcars site.

Session files - In order to allow us to personalise the teletextcars site for you, we use session files, along with cookies to track which areas of the site have been of interest to you, and to identify your browsing patters.

We also use information in aggregate form (no individual user is identified) to:

build up marketing profiles
to help us develop the business in ways that help our users
manage our relationship with advertisers
audit usage of the site

All the information we collect, whether it is personal or from cookies or session files, are made available to our call centre employees so that we may be able to deal with any enquiries you may make regarding the information we hold.

Your control over your personal data - you have complete control over the use of your personal information by teletextcars.

Across the site we use a process whereby you can 'opt in' and 'opt-out' if you do, or do not, wish to receive information about our updates, promotions and competitions. There is also the option to receive promotional information on behalf of other organisations - to receive this information you must complete the appropriate box on each form you use to indicate your preferences. Our site links to other web sites and we are not responsible for their data policies and procedures.

Teletextcars.co.uk is wholly owned by Teletext Ltd., which is registered under the 1998 Data Protection Act, ref Z6064260.

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