Finding the right car for you

Members consult us when buying a car because:

• They like our impartiality and extensive industry experience.
• Our list of national industry contacts can lead to lower prices and quicker delivery dates.
• They don't want to spend their weekends and evenings at car dealerships (and our contacts can lead to lower prices).
• They know roughly what sort of car they want but don't know where to start looking.
• We can take all the stress out of a transaction: once we know what you need we will take care of everything, up to and beyond delivery.
• Our motor team can handle part exchanges, cash sales or any form of payment method.
• We can supply both new and used cars. We will always search nationally for the best car for you; not just from a particular stock, as a dealer would.
• You will not pay any more by going through lifestyle concierge than you would if you did the job yourself.

We deal with every kind of car buyer – from novices, experts and those looking for new or used vehicles to people seeking family, sports, city, off-road, environmentally-friendly or gadget-packed cars.

Our car expert Jonathan Newall says: 'One member knew roughly how much she wanted to pay and told us that she needed something for both the school run and weekend drives in the countryside. We were able to draw up a shortlist of possible options and find exactly the kind of car that met her needs: a Toyota Corolla Verso.'

The majority of member requests cover general car-buying assistance, from sourcing family cars to finding models for commuting and city driving. We will, however, also assist with more unusual requests. 'We helped one member get their hands on a first edition Range Rover Sport, and we recently helped another track down a car in Vietnam,' says Jonathan.

Members say the worst thing about buying a car is being bombarded with sales speak and conflicting information. We have extensive reliable contacts in the new and used-car worlds and we're not tied to any car dealerships. We won't try to sell the car that's been in stock the longest or suggest the nearest approximation of what members are after. Our in-depth knowledge of the market means we can recommend vehicles from the manufacturer that best suits members' needs. We can also set up the payment plan and look at the insurance options.

Insider tips:

• If you're on a test drive, don't forget to check what seem like obvious details. Is there enough adjustment in the steering wheel and seat for all the designated drivers? Is it easy to see out of the car? Can you judge the size of the car while driving?
• On delivery of a new car don't forget to check all the panels and windows for scratches and imperfections, examining the corners in particular.
• Make sure to test used cars on a variety of roads. Be extra thorough when checking the bodywork and under the bonnet. If possible arrange an appointment with a garage.
• Spend time researching what car you want on websites and in magazines before you walk into a dedicated dealership – or just call us. We keep up to date with the whole market. Many members just tell us what they want the car to do, and we suggest what they might want.
• The best deal is not always around the corner. We look nationally.