1. Check the vehicle.
2. Have a test drive.
3. Check the logbook.
4. Check service history.
5. Check tax disc and MOT.
If all of the above are in order, you need to form in your mind how much you will be prepared to pay for the vehicle. This can be ascertained by research on the internet and by looking through, for instance, auto trader magazine about the car in question.
So before the haggling process begins, you should have three prices in your head:-
a) The maximum price you would pay.
b) A fair price.
c) Rock-bottom price you would love to pay.
During the test-drive and when you were giving the car an inspection, keep a note in your mind of any faults or defects. This
will help you during the negotiation process when you are trying to bid down the seller.