Read our top ten tips and become an expert haggler.

1. Be polite – a happy seller is more likely to lower the car’s price of their car.

2. Phone the seller – ask if they’re open for sensible offers. If they say no, tell them you want to look at the car anyway – this sets them up to expect a haggle when you meet.

3. Have three prices in mind before meeting the seller:

• The price you’d love to pay
• A good deal
• The most you’ll pay

View our money-saving slide show

Read more expert haggling advice from TV’s Dominic Littlewood and Jason Dawe.

4. Look for problems – check the car thoroughly for any problems and make a mental note of any faults you come across

5. Summarise – round up your thoughts on the vehicle to the seller – this shows interest and helps you decide how much to offer

6. Ask for a price – ask how much the seller realistically expects to get for the car – as soon as they give you a price, look them in the eye, make an offer and say no more

7. Aim high – put in an offer lower than what you’re happy to pay

8. Counter-offer – the seller should accept your offer or make a new one – if you’re not happy with this, meet in the middle

9. Shake their hand – it’s difficult to refuse a handshake, so when it looks like they’re about to accept, offer them your hand to seal the deal