For a large part of my time in the motor trade my job was to buy cars at 'trade' prices, that we would then stick on the forecourt with sometimes as little as 1,000 on top of the price I paid, and occasionally as much as 10,000!

There isn't really a bad time to buy a car, you can always get a deal to some degree - but there is definitely a good time, In the last week of March, June, September and December manufacturers are under pressure to register cars to try to become the best seller in their sector, so they give extra discount to the dealers (often double their normal levels), who will pass it on to you!

You can also cash in on the salesman's ego to get a bargain. One of their 'perks' is a company car, which is often a higher spec than standard. Most salesmen wants the latest 'plate, but they have to sell their car first, so when the new plate is out, or the model changes, they'' often sell their own car for little or no profit just to change their own car.

Consider buying a pre-registered car. These are cars that have been registered in someone else's name, either a dealer or a leasing company, in order to get extra discount. You would appear as the second owner, but the car is brand new with delivery mileage, and you will have saved hundreds - maybe even more - into the bargain.

Using the dealers own finance company is also a way of saving money when you're buying a car. Most manufacturers have their own finance company that they either own outright or have a partnership with a bank. Their rates are priced to make a car look attractive to you, and they will almost always be cheaper than the bank - all you have to do is ask for their best rate.

Few people realise that dealers actually need your part exchange vehicle, because if everyone came in without a car - they wouldn't have any used cars to sell. Just before you take your car to a dealer, invest 10 in one of these hand car washes that will also hoover your car out and clean the dashboard. Stick an air freshener in too, and you'll be presenting you're car as 'ready to sell' and the price that you'll be offered will certainly be higher than normal. Few people ever think of cleaning their car before they ask for a price, but those that do always get top money!

Buying a late model, low mileage car can half the list price of many cars. Think about this; if a new Mondeo has a list price of 18,000, and you can get one that's six months old with 4,500 miles on the clock for half the price, would you buy it? Those cars are out there today, you just have to look. They have usually been owned by car rental companies who get huge discount from new, and then make their profit not by renting them out, but when they sell them on. They also know that they have to be well looked after to get the best price, so you can be sure that you're buying a bargain that will still have more than two years of manufacturers warranty left.