It is Christmas financial fallout time; a time when everyone adds up their festive excesses and most realise that yet again they spent much more than they had intended. The credit card bills have started arriving, prompting a massive collective intake of breath throughout the UK as most people work out just how skint they are. But, for those wanting a new car, excessive Christmas spending and a greatly diminished bank balance needn't prove a problem. There are plenty of garages, used car dealers and car supermarkets offering great deals at this time of the year.

All are anxious to get stock off their forecourts at a traditionally slow time of the year for car sales, so canny buyers could bag themselves a bargain motor. In addition, most used car dealers and car supermarkets offer finance packages tied directly to the purchase of the car. Because their own loans are secured on the car, it tends to be a lot easier to get a yes to car credit at the dealers than by applying for a personal loan at a financial institution. Plus, applicants won't have to make a special trip to the bank or building society either! To make it even easier many dealers allow buyers to drive the car away once finance has been approved and after making only a small deposit, in many cases less than £100. Or, if the buyer has a car to sell, the dealer will typically offer a minimum of £1,000 part-exchange against the purchase of a replacement vehicle, meaning no cash deposit is required at all ? extremely handy for those left skint by Christmas spending! But, if you want to buy a car before you say yes to car credit make sure you understand exactly what you are getting. Despite what might be reported in the popular press most garages aren't in the habit of ripping off their customers as in this day and age major businesses in a competitive marketplace cannot survive if they show scant disregard for their customers.

However, there are some disreputable traders out there, and if you encounter any problems be aware of your rights. Under the Sales of Goods Act, 1979 used cars must be in satisfactory condition when sold, both in appearance and mechanically. So, if bits start falling off your newly acquired vehicle or it stops working all together, be assured that you are covered by UK legislation and you'll be able to return the car to the dealer without any financial penalty to you. .

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.