I am looking at buying a new shape Ford Galaxy on your recommendation. My budget is £8-£10,000. We will do 10,000 miles a year and two separate 5-mile journeys a day. Some of those available at low prices have privacy windows that possibly means they are ex-taxis.

I will ask the dealer if they are ex-taxis (if he knows), but if they are does that mean I should not buy them? If it is an ex-taxi or even it is not, for piece of mind do you recommend a car inspection service that will organise an inspection with the dealer? If I use a car inspection service can I offer the dealer a returnable deposit of say £200 to reserve the car while the inspection is being carried out? One of the vehicles is being sold by a dealer who makes no mention of warranty on his website – does he have to offer one? Is there anything else I should do to minimise my risk from buying from this type of dealer?