This being the case, it's probably worth mentioning that there are plenty of dealerships out there that will try to sell you whatever car they've got available in their lot at that particular moment. This means that unless you really know what you're looking for (and even if you do), then it might end up taking quite a while before you eventually get something you actually want. Not a problem, but be aware of this 'fact' before you agree to visit any dealerships in the first place.

Further research can be done by visiting historical data sites like Wikipedia to check for trends in sale numbers based on year/make/model combinations, so that you can see how much your potential purchase might cost in 2011 or 2012, etc.

When you're ready with all this information, try to find the best deals at servicing rates and warranties available for your particular model range (if possible). Examine absolute minimum insurance coverage rates that are required by law within UK - again if applicable - plus any other costs that might come up when buying or running your car (like road tax), which can vary depending on the make/model of your choice. Here is where you might find out that some models are simply not worth buying because they cost more to insure than they're worth in general, which again narrows down your choices (leaving them with only one!).

There's also quite a number of other things like this to take into consideration, so use every tool at your disposal - be it online or real life - and try not to rush anything until you've found what works for you.

Step 2 - Talk to the dealer(s)

When it comes to dealerships, there are many people who complain about being treated unfairly by car salesmen just for walking into a dealership and asking questions. This doesn't have to be the case, but there have been plenty of cases where it definitely was. If you've done your research properly and know what you want before going to a dealership, then you won't need any actual help from a salesperson. This means that they will most likely do everything within their power to make sure that you buy something right on the spot by any means necessary, which is why it's important to be careful.

If you're not careful and end up buying something without really trying to compare prices first, then chances are that the dealership might sell it for more than anyone else would. Therefore, always ask for written confirmation from as many dealerships as possible before actually agreeing with one over another (this includes general price quotes and detailed offers).

The only way to really get the best deals when buying a new car is by comparing prices and doing your research beforehand, so that you can approach any dealership confidently with pre-decided specifications and price range. Once you've done this, be confident in your requests and remember to always ask for written confirmations from all dealerships before actually agreeing to buy anything.

Step 3 - Do the actual purchase

Finally, it's time to walk into a dealership armed with everything necessary (if there's more than one involved in negotiation) and make sure to stand your ground firmly whenever negotiating over purchase costs. If you're not comfortable about this part of the process at all then don't worry; many people feel exactly like that when they first start buying cars, so it's nothing to be ashamed of.

Just remember that eventually you'll have to deal with this eventually, so don't let the nervousness stop you from doing what you need to in order to get a fair price for your purchase. Not being comfortable about asking can sometimes come across as being indecisive or unsure, which will only work against you when trying to negotiate with anyone who knows exactly what they're doing in this area.

Always try and compare prices between different dealerships before making any agreements over the actual sale itself, since there might otherwise be other hidden costs involved or some kind of other problem that wasn't initially disclosed but might pop up later on. This way there won't be anything left for either party to argue about because you'll already know what's been agreed from the word go.

Remember that getting a fair deal when buying a car is just as much about doing your research beforehand, knowing exactly what you want and being confident in asking for it - as it is about doing a lot of actual negotiating! So don't let yourself be intimidated by anyone or anything when buying a new car, since it can easily be avoided if approached with enough preparation beforehand.

Now you have three steps to use while buying a car in UK: do your research (step 1), talk to the dealer(s) (step 2) and finally purchase (step 3). If you follow these steps carefully then there shouldn't be any room left for problems to pop up, and it will be a smooth and trouble-free process that you can look back on with pride for years to come.

Good luck!