What you need is a genuine car manufacturers used car warranty, usually accompanying an ''approved used'' car.

Ford Direct if its still as was would be the one i think if its a Ford Dealer, but somehow i doubt if this car is young enough to qualify, most makes have similar, most are as good as a new car warranty for the period covered.

As above about aftermarket insurance based warranties, most expensive spare bog roll ever.

If twer me i'd spend some money on getting a mechanic i trust, maybe the one who's going to look after it for you?, to go over the car completely, OK you'll have to hire him for half or a full day plus travelling expenses, but i'd rather spend £200 on him than the same amount on a worthless warranty....if not at least take someone with you who knows about cars and can go through the SH with a microscope for you as well as cast a cynical eye over the thing...preferably someone who thinks like some of us, who know instinctively that carsales bods and politicians are the devils spawn.

"Aftermarket warranties are usually only fit to be used as toilet paper." Although I've got to agree with the sentiment the practice is flawed.

It might be regarded as old fashioned, but my lady friends find that they get better service if they take a male relative with them, one that can see through a salesman's hard talk. What you might do is ask the dealer to take the car to an MOT garage, of your choice, and you pay for a new (and honest) MOT. If the saleman demurs, turn around and walk away. There are lots of cars for sale.