Here some unorthodox but effective ways of buying a used car. Worth a try if you're after a bargain.

WORD OF MOUTH

Perhaps a colleague has been given a company car. Or granddad has given up driving. Or you've always fancied a friend's car, and it's about to be traded in.

Show you're interested and you could get a car for below market value in return for a hassle-free disposal.

Don't let your relationship with the owner get in the way of checking a used car. Better to find faults before doing the deal than bear a loss and harbour a grudge!

NOTICEBOARDS

In the supermarket, in shop windows, at your workplace, even on internet bulletin boards. Usually a source of cheaper cars, but you may be lucky - like the couple who went to a local 'garage sale' and ended up with the advertiser's nearly new Astra!

CAR BROKERS

Brokers are middlemen who buy to order, using contacts in fleet and rental businesses to source cars that would otherwise go to auction. Car brokers pay slightly more than auction prices, so the seller gets a result. They charge trade price plus a smaller mark-up than a dealer would, so you get a result.

Look for car brokers' ads in motoring magazines, classified mags/websites and online. Get a contact address and don't be afraid to ask for references. Don't pay a big deposit or search fee. Check out the car, documentation and service history, and get a car data check and a car inspection before sealing the deal.