There is a lesson that I learned from my Mother at a very early age. I remember every single time I used my pocket money to buy a cheap toy, which would inevitably break after only a few minutes, she would chime in with a phrase that has stayed with me ever since. The phrase in question is; "if you buy cheap, you get cheap". Basically, this means you get what you pay for. If you decide to skimp on the cost of something, you really don't have much right to complain if the source of the product skimped a bit on the quality.

Now that I am an adult I tend not to buy toys anymore, but the saying still applies to every facet of capitalist life. I would say it was especially prevalent when it comes to buying yourself a used car. Used cars represent the more affordable area of the car market where many people go directly to find a bargain. However, there is a very small line between 'bargain' and 'pile of scrap' when it comes used cars. I would recommend spending a little more to ensure you get a car of some distinguishable quality.  

Depending on the type of car you are looking for, I would always recommend a manufacturer of Audi's ilk. For decades now they have been producing great cars that have garnered a fantastic reputation for reliability and longevity.

It could be said that the purchase of a Used Audi may prove to be slightly more expensive than a lot of other brands, but it would pay dividends in the long run with better reliability levels.