Your best bet is to learn how to inspect a vehicle and save up a few hundred pounds. There are plenty of vehicles around for a month's salary in autotrader.co.uk, gumtree.com and your local papers.

Things can go wrong with old cars. My last one spluttered to a hault after 5 months, I was quoted £350 to get it fixed so I sold it to a dismantler for £200 (it had cost me £450). The replacement vehicle, bought in a hurry, cost £500. These are not large amounts of money and the sums are insignificant compared to the cost and hassle of car finance.

Hey everyone,

I have a problem. I need to get a newer car, im looking at a vauxhall vectra. Ive applied to a couple of "bad credit" companies who have said no to me. Im aware that my credit rating is terrible after checking them with the reference agencies and that i have the lowest score possible. My question is does anyone know of any options? Ive been looking at Hire purchase and no status contract hire/leasing... any advice will be greatly appreciated