Mike Brewer's column

	Sit tight before hunting for a bargain. There will be an influx of used cars on the market in march – and ex- fleet models arethe ones to buy.

I've mentioned in my columns before the importance of choosing the right time to go hunting for a bargain as, particularly now, cars are unbelievably cheap. And with the new 07 registration plate released last week and gracing legions of posh new motors, what about all the part-exchanges that those 1 March models must have thrown up? There will be loads of them around sourced from private buyers and fleets, as drivers trade in their old wheels to make way for something newer.

But hold on – don’t lose your nerve. Sit tight for about six weeks before you go hunting for your bargain of the century. Oh yes, they’ll be out there, but the timing has got to be right for you to make the most of the excellent position you’ll find yourself in. The influx of used cars will flood the market during March, particularly when the ex-fleet models arrive. But that doesn’t happen straight away. Even though it’s a busy time, it’s not possible to process all the 07 motors on the first day of the month.

This short period of time will give you space to think. And how about this: have you thought of cutting out the middle man – the big car supermarkets which will snap up many of these ex-fleet part-chops – and going to an auction yourself? There are loads of them around the UK and you are all welcome to attend. What’s more, they’re great fun and, best of all, you can come away with a terrific bargain. Don’t worry if you’ve never been before. There are plenty of staff on hand to help you through the process.

But whatever you do, don’t go to an auction without having done a bit of homework first. You should never turn up looking like a victim, with no idea of what you want and hoping something takes your fancy. That’s not right – you must know what sort of model you’d like to buy, be it estate, saloon, van or whatever. And if you don’t understand much about how cars work, take a mechanic.

Two to three-year-old fleet machines are the ones to buy, and plenty will become available soon. At the auction, every model will have a sticker describing it and what sort of service history it has, and I always think a fleet vehicle is better for this. Sure, they may have covered a few more miles, but these will all have been done at 70mph on a motorway and the cars are more likely to have been serviced regularly. Private motors tend to sit around on estates getting their doors banged, and sometimes they have a rather stop-start life.

Find a good auction and go along, but before you step through the door make sure you know what your budget is – and stick to it. Here’s a good tip: if there is a group of traders busying themselves around a car or group of motors, you’ll know they’re probably worth having. If it’s the kind of model you are looking for, make a note of it and bid when it comes up. The traders have to make a profit, so if you are buying privately you’ll be able to go a little higher and will probably get it. Don’t feel bad about asking for advice, either. Traders are a notoriously friendly bunch and won’t mind telling you a bit about the cars and offering guidance.

Some models will be described as “sold as seen”, which means that if you buy it and it breaks down as you’re driving away, hard luck. However, with those which come with a warranty, you are given an hour after the bidding finishes to get behind the wheel and make sure it’s OK.

It’s cash only at an auction and you can’t arrange finance, but the savings are there for the taking. Don’t get scared about what you’re bidding for, but at the same time don’t let your heart rule your head. Stick to your price and you’ll be delighted with your new wheels.

Mike Brewer presents ITV’s Pulling Power, the Discovery Channel’s Wheeler Dealers and the British Rally Championship on Sky Sports