Car value depreciates by about 40% in the first year they are on the road. Hence, purchasing ‘second hand’ is always an affordable option. There are risks when thinking about used cars, so it’s essential to take your time rather than rush into any deal.

Here are a few things to watch out for when considering your next car purchase.

Clocking is the illegal practice of rewinding the odometer on a high-mileage car to increase the value. For every 1000 miles removed, the value increases significantly.

Car cloning is where one car’s identity is given to another by replacing their number plates. This is done on vehicles with the same make, model and colour. Check that the VIN matches that of the service documents.

Cut and shut is the practice of taking two or more cars, usually those written off by insurers following an accident, and welding them together. The cosmetic work is outstanding, meaning it’s hard to notice, but underneath, the result is shoddy and dangerous.