Your advertising strategy depends on the type of car you're selling. Cars under £3000 usually do well in the local newspaper, free-sheet or Loot-type ad-only mag, backed up by a neat 'for sale' notice in the car's window.

With cars in the £5000 to £15,000 bracket, it's best to cast your net wider, as buyers of better quality cars are prepared to travel further for them. Auto Trader dominates this market sector, with huge regional editions every week and a website that lists up to 250,000 vehicles at any one time. There's also Exchange & Mart.

Online classified ad services include Desperate Seller, Fish4Cars and Ebay Motors.

Higher quality executive, prestige and sports and 4x4 models need a more specialised approach. First stop is probably Top Marques - Auto Trader's upwardly mobile younger sister. And if you've got a really top quality prestige car to sell, consider using the Sunday Times.