The second step, once you have found local dealers and sellers, is to shortlist a few cars based on your pre-decided budget. These few cars will now undergo perusal by the mechanic you will hire.
Second hand used cars simply must be test driven by you, and checked by a mechanic before you decide to buy. If you are not a mechanic yourself, you need to hire one. A mechanic is likely to give the vehicle a thorough check and that is exactly what you need if you do not want to end up with something that breaks down in a few months. Also, never buy a car without test driving it first.
Negotiation is an art. Whether it is at a car boot sale or while buying a used car, the skill to negotiate comes in handy! More often than not, you can negotiate the price to a significant degree and bring it within your budget.