Mike Brewer's column

	Now’s the time to dig up the money under the floor, get down to a sales lot or surf the Internet and bag yourself a used bargain

Take it from me: now is the best time ever to buy a used car. I've been in the second-hand motor business for 23 years, and I have never known the used trade to be giving vehicles away as generously as it is at the moment. But don't take my word for it. I was recently at Auto Express's office, locked away with the best minds in the industry, judging the Used Car Honours for the magazine (the results of which will be announced in April). And we all agreed, now is the time to dig up the money under the floorboards, get yourself down to a sales lot or start surfing the Internet and bag yourself a used bargain.

Don't get me wrong. Car dealers haven't turned into Santa Claus overnight and are giving second-hand motors away - they are in this business to make a living, just like the rest of us. But there are a few really good reasons why this is a great time to buy. First, we're at the end of a three-year cycle, when auto

makers change their tired and outdated models by either introducing new metal or at least treating them to a minor facelift. Second, this year is going to be a big one in terms of fresh models. Nearly all of the mainstream players have something new and exciting coming out. Third, used car competition is fierce, and auto supermarkets are springing up, buying bulk from lease firms, ex-hire motors and auctions, slashing thousands of pounds off the value, and passing those savings on to us.

Still not convinced? It took me only a few minutes of ringing around and looking on the Web to uncover some crackers. With a new Ford Mondeo due this year, the old - and still brilliant - version can be had for a song. How about a 2004 Mondeo Ghia TDCi costing £20,000 a few years ago and now advertised by a dealer on the Internet for £4,995? That represents fantastic value for money for what is a very good car.

Or perhaps a previous Auto Express Used Car Honours winner - the Vauxhall Zafira - might take your fancy? I found a 2003 Club DTi with 48,000 miles on the clock also going for the magical £4,995! Once I got going, I couldn't stop myself. I discovered one of my all-time favourite machines - the Mazda MX-5 - with an 02 registration plate, 1.8 engine and 50,000 miles on the clock, for £6,500. This is the best time of the year to buy one of these, and where else can you get proper open-top reliable fun motoring for that kind of money?

But don't rush out of the house just yet, as I have one final suggestion that might have you sprinting for the door. You will be aware of the new Honda Civic - but as futuristic and clever as it is, it might be just a bit too wild for the company's more traditional buyers. Such people know what they like, and their car of choice would be the older-shape Civic. These models are always driven at a sensible speed and are parked with the utmost care.

In other words, we're talking about the best used car money can buy. And you don't have to spend a fortune in order to get hold of one. How does this grab you: a 2002 Civic 1.4 SE, with 27,000 miles and one careful lady owner? It cost £12,500 new, and could be yours today, and still looking great, for only £5,200.

What are you waiting for? Go and have a look - but remember that, even if cars are cheap, you still need to have your wits about you. Don't buy the first motor you see, do the relevant data checks and never trust anyone! Except me, of course...