1. Nearly new

Nearly new cars are between 6-18 months old, and have less than 15,000 miles on the clock. Whilst offering substantial savings compared to new cars, they still offer reassurance through a free 12 month warranty and through their various guarantees. The driver can therefore enjoy a new car experience without the high price tag.

2. Significant accident

None of our vehicles have ever been in a serious accident. This means they have never been involved in an accident which has caused significant mechanical, electrical or structural damage. Some minor cosmetic repairs and refurbishments may have taken place.

3. Return & exchange policies

For 28 days after delivery, RAC Car Partner promises to exchange your car for another comparable vehicle if there is a significant electrical or mechanical defect that cannot be repaired.

4. Test drive

If you are unsure which car you want to buy, we offer all our customers the option to take a test drive. This can be done during the week or at the weekend at 22 Avis rental stations throughout the country. Alternatively, for a small extra charge, you can have the test drive vehicle delivered at your convenience to your door.

The test car will not be the exact vehicle model you will be buying, but we will try to ensure that it is as close as possible, so that you get a good feel for the make and model.

All our test drive vehicles are available at an Avis preferred rental rate. Should you decide to buy a car of a similar make and model, you will have this amount refunded.

5. 111-point check

We do our utmost to ensure that all our vehicles reach you in the best possible condition. All our cars come with a full service history and have undergone a thorough inspection process. This includes our 111-point inspection check which is carried out by fully trained car technicians.

The 111-point inspection includes:

• A detailed examination of the mechanics, electrics and bodywork of the car - from the paintwork to the locks, radios, alarms and other features.
• A complete assessment of the interior.
• A safety inspection which includes examining the brakes, wheels and tyres, as well as other safety features. There may be some wear on the tyres, but we will ensure that tyre tread will meet the required safety and legal standards.
• Inspections and test of the engine and drivetrain. Any minor repairs required will be done to a professional standard by authorised repairers. Most of the mechanical components within your car will be the original ones fitted by the manufacturer. However, any replacement components will have been acquired from an accredited dealer or agent.

6. Registration plate

This is the license plate of your car e.g. T978 JEL.

7. Outstanding finance

This is the amount you still owe on the vehicle you want to trade in. For example, if you have owned a car for three years but took out a finance deal over four years, you will still have a year's finance to pay. If this amount was £200 a month, you will have 12 x £200 (£2,400) to pay. It is important that when you come to buying your car over the website and you are asked confirm your trade-in, that you fill in the correct amount of finance you owe. You may therefore wish to check this amount with your finance provider.

8. Consumer trade-in price

To ensure that we give you a fair price for the car you wish to trade in, we use an independent vehicle valuation guide relied upon by industry experts. Values are collected from a large number of sources such as auctions and franchise dealers.

9. Estimated trade-in value

To enable you to budget more effectively when buying a new car, we provide you with an estimated trade-in value for your old vehicle. This is based on the valuations outlined above, and is not a binding price.

10. Firm trade-in value

Once you are ready to go ahead with your purchase, we will give you a precise and binding valuation for your trade-in car - 'the firm trade-in value'. This will be based on an independent trade-in valuation supplied by an industry recognised firm of valuation experts. The information you give us should be as accurate and realistic as possible and based on a thorough examination of your car's condition. Any misrepresentation of your vehicle may result in a loss of your deposit.

11. Consumer guide retail price

This is the full price you may expect to pay at a dealer, based on the prices supplied by an independent Consumer Retail Guide. Typically, RAC Car Partner prices are substantially lower than the national average retail price.

12. Compare Cars

The Car Comparison Service is an invaluable tool enabling you to find out a wide range of information about cars on sale in the UK. You can use it to check out the latest makes and models, to compare two cars of your choice by various criteria such as comfort, safety and performance. Alternatively you can use it to find out how much you would be expected to pay for a similar 6 month old car.

13. Expected annual mileage

This is the mileage that you typically drive per year. We take this figure into account when assessing what your car will be worth at the end of the PCP period. Your expected annual mileage will therefore determine the monthly price that you will have to pay, so try and be as accurate as possible. Under the terms and conditions of PCP, you will pay a financial penalty per mile for every mile you exceed your expected annual mileage.

14. PCP

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) gives you the ability to change your car more often. Based on your expected annual mileage and the length of agreement you select, we provide a Guaranteed Future Value (GFV). If you wish to, you may pay the GFV at the end of the agreement - after which you will own the vehicle.

You are required to pay 5% of your total amount to be financed as a minimum down payment. If this amount exceeds £250, your deposit is included.

15. HP

Hire Purchase (HP) gives you the opportunity to finance your vehicle over the term of your choice with a fixed monthly budget. This means that at the end of your HP agreement, you will own the vehicle. You are required to pay 5% of your total amount to be financed as a minimum down payment. If this amount exceeds £250, your deposit is included.

16. Additional Down Payment value

This is the initial upfront payment on the car that you wish to finance, beyond the required minimum deposit of 5% of the total price.

17. APR

Annual percentage rate (APR) is the yearly cost of your finance deal, including interest payments and any origination fee, expressed as a percentage.

18. Monthly payment rate

This is the amount of your finance deal that you have to repay every month, including interest payments.

19. Premium Standard

In addition to fully inspecting and servicing your car (see our 111-point inspection), we also refurbish every car we sell. This includes:

• Thoroughly checking the bodywork and repairing any dents.
• Cleaning and polishing the exterior, and ensuring that the interior of the car is free from any unsightly stains, tears or scratches.
• Repairing any cracked or damaged windscreens.

Vehicles may have a small number of stone blemishes, particularly on forward facing surfaces. There may also be some minimal wear and tear around areas such as door locks, door edges, sills and the petrol filler area. Where these flaws affect the overall appearance of the car, they will be removed. The bumpers on the car may have minor marks associated with parking but will not be cracked or gouged.

20. Premium Plus

In addition to our free standard service (see above), you can opt to have a full cosmetic refurbishment - Premium Plus. This service aims to make your car look as perfect as possible. However, it will cost an additional sum of money, due to the work being so labour intensive.

This service includes:

Removing all minor marks on the bodywork of the vehicle, and repainting or retouching any surfaces. A full valet clean and machine polish.

21. Refurbishment

Refurbishment refers to the reconditioning of the interior and exterior of the vehicle, to ensure it is of the quality that you expect from us. You can choose from two standards of refurbishment: Premium (which is included for free in the price of your car) and Premium Plus. Full details of both of these refurbishment levels can be seen above.

22. Warranty - standard

Every one of our vehicles will arrive with a minimum of 12 months warranty and RAC breakdown cover. The mechanical and electrical breakdown warranty assistance administered by RAC gives you complete peace of mind, and helps keep your motoring costs to a minimum It provides you with:

• Comprehensive cover for parts and labour costs in the event of any mechanical/electrical failure.
• Roadside Recovery and At Home breakdown services.
• Three days car hire.
• Onward travel.
• Hotel Accommodation.

23. Warranty - additional

We appreciate that in many cases you will be planning to retain your car for a period in excess of 12 months. In this case you will be able to extend the length of the warranty period by a further 24 months for an additional amount.

24. Guaranteed Future Value (GFV)

When paying for your car with PCP finance, you will be offered a guaranteed future value based on your expected annual mileage figure. This dramatically reduces your monthly payments, but still gives you the option to pay the GFV at the end of the agreement and keep your car.

25. Loan term

This is the period over which you would like to have your car financed.

26 Trade In

This section allows you to get a consumer guide trade-in value for your current car by simply filling in a few key details. This is not a 100% accurate valuation - but will provide you with a good estimate so you can start narrowing down your choice of nearly new vehicles. You will receive a final valuation when you reach the Buy Car stage.

27. Request Car

28. Buy Car

This area of our site lets you view the cars we have found for you. Simply log on to your personal car centre. If you are happy with our selection of cars, you can use this section to arrange a test drive, organise your trade in, arrange your finance and order your car for home delivery. There is no obligation to buy until you actually choose to order a specific car and have placed a deposit on it.

29. Customer Service Representatives

Buying a new car with RAC Car Partner should be a simple, straightforward matter. However, should you get stuck, you can rest assured that our trained, no-commission Customer Service Representatives will be on hand to help you. Once you have logged into your personal car centre and selected the car of your choice, you can contact our CSRs at any time to help you through the process. They can help you arrange your test drive or organise the delivery of your car.

30. Road tax

RAC Car Partner is dedicated to making your buying experience as hassle-free as possible. We therefore give you the option to let us organise your road tax. Instead of queuing at the post office with your documents, let us do it all for you and there is no charge above the road tax cost.

31. Finance

Rather than paying for your car in one lump sum, we provide you with the option to take up our finance offer and pay in affordable monthly payments. With our partner, Capital Bank (part of The Bank of Scotland Group) we have put together some very competitive finance packages - including Hire purchase and Personal Contract Plan (PCP). Further information about both these options can be seen below and in the finance section of our website.

32. Deposit

So that we can reserve your car for you, we ask you to pay a deposit. The deposit is £250, or 5% of the price of the vehicle if you are financing the car. Once we have received this payment, we will not offer your car to anyone else and will start the refurbishment and delivery process.

33. Seven day money back guarantee

Our full seven day money back guarantee ensures that, if for any reason you do not feel comfortable with your car, you can always return it or cancel your order. Please note, we will be unable to refund the price of the car if you exceed 500 miles during the seven days after purchase. If you cancel your order more than seven working days before the due delivery date, you will receive a full refund and your deposit back.

34. 28 day exchange pledge

To ensure that all our customers are completely happy with their purchase, we offer a full 28 day exchange policy. If there is a serious mechanical or electrical fault with the car which cannot be repaired, we will exchange the car with an equivalent one of your choice. If there is a difference in price between your existing vehicle and the exchange vehicle, then the difference will need to be paid/refunded as appropriate.

35. HP/PCP calculator

This is a handy calculator which helps you work out the monthly cost of buying the car of your choice, depending on your method of financing, HP or PCP. The calculator is just a tool to help you decide what you want to pay and how - it does not commit you in any way.

36. One off cash payment

You can pay for your car either by finance or by making a one-off payment. This can be done in one of three ways:

• By making a cash or cheque payment at your local Natwest Branch.
• By sending a bank-guaranteed cheque (banker's draft) for the full amount, made out to RAC Car Partner, Barley Mow Centre, 10 Barley Mow Passage, London, W4 4PH.
• By using your debit card to make a payment over the phone. Simply call our Customer Service Representative for details.

37. List price

Also known as the Manufacturer Recommended Retail Price. This is the price manufacturers set for new vehicles when bought through branded dealerships.

38. Breakdown Cover

RAC breakdown cover provides total peace of mind, in any vehicle that you are travelling in, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The RAC assistance package includes:

• Roadside Recovery and At Home breakdown services.
• 3 days car hire.
• Onward travel.
• Hotel accommodation.

39. Full service history

Serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended schedules up to 3 years of age. Beyond this age there should be sufficient service history to warrant the recorded mileage as being accurate.

40. Interior condition

This refers to the condition of the fabric on the seats and the carpets, as well as any surfaces such as the dashboard, the interior of the glove compartments and the condition of the roof lining.

• Good condition - No tears, stains or burns in roofing, fabric or carpet. Very little evidence of wear.
• Average condition - No marked deterioration or holes, some wear to driver's seat and carpet.
• Poor condition - Visible stains or burns, significant evidence of wear.

41. Exterior condition

This refers to the condition of the body panels, paint work, bumpers, wheel arches and any other external features such as mirrors, grills etc.

• Good condition - Your vehicle has no dents, the paint colour is consistent, there is no evidence of repairs and there are no scratches visible at 3 metres. Minor blemishes which do not significantly impair the appearance of the vehicle are acceptable, as are minor marks associated with parking, but no cracks or gouges on bumpers and wheel arches. All the doors and windows are functioning perfectly. There is no rust whatsoever.
• Average condition - Some minor dents or blemishes are acceptable, but none larger than the size of a golf ball. Minor scratches and some stone chips are acceptable, as long as they are commensurate with age and mileage. Condition of bumpers and wheel arches must also be commensurate with age and mileage, although some limited scuff marks are acceptable. All doors and windows must be functioning. There can be no rust whatsoever.
• Poor condition - Some dents, one or more may be larger than a golf ball. Any scratches through the surface layer of paint with numerous visible scuff marks on the exterior.

42. Tyres

• Good condition -All four tyres are of the same make and are in good condition with at least 3mm of tread on each. The spare is present and in good condition.
• Poor condition - One or more tyres with less than 3mm tread. Not all tyres of the same make and style.

43. Engine

• Good condition - Regularly serviced, full working order, running smoothly, no excess noise, leaks, no major repairs in working life.
• Fit for use - Full working order, running smoothly, some tuning required, but no excess noise.
• Poor condition - Not running smoothly, not regularly serviced, some excess noise.

44. Mechanics

This refers to all major mechanical components such as brakes, the clutch or the gears.

• Good condition - Clutch not worn, Gears in good order, Good brakes.
• Fit for use - Clutch a little worn, Gears in good order, Brakes a little worn
• Poor condition - One or more major mechanical components need replacement or attention.

45. Electrics

This refers to the electrical units in the car, which include lights, electrical control systems, air conditioning (if present), radio and CD/tape player.

• Good condition - All electric units operating to manufacturer's full specifications. No signs of tampering.
• Fit for use - No electrical failures that effect driveability and safety of vehicle. No signs of tampering.
• Poor condition - One or more electrical units not functioning.

46. Glass

This refers to the glass on the car, especially the windshield and headlights as well as rear lights. · Good condition: no marks or cracks whatsoever · Average condition: 1 minor mark or stone chip on windshield or headlights, no cracks · Poor condition: Cracks on one or more of windshield and/or headlights

47. Your autochoice finance

Yourautochoice finance is an easy, hassle-free way to finance the vehicle of your choice. This finance is provided by Capital Bank, part of the Bank of Scotland Group, and offers a choice of finance options to help you afford your chosen car.

48. Credit Protection Insurance

Credit Protection Insurance, is an optional insurance policy that can be purchased. It offers three levels of cover to protect your finance payments against death, redundancy, accident and sickness (see terms and conditions link).

49. Avis Preferred Rental

The preferred rental service means not only do you receive a discounted test drive rate, but you won't have to wait or queue for your car. All you need to do is bring your driving licence and sign once - that's it.

50. Secure server

All the information you enter on this site is secure. We use 128 bit encryption for the transfer of all personal data - so you are guaranteed that your details will only be accessed by RAC Car Partner representatives.

51. Trade-in Restrictions

Rac Car Partner only accepts trade-in vehicles that are less than 7 years old from the date of their first registration and have done no more than 120,000 miles. Other trade-in restrictions also apply.

52. Payment Before Delivery

This is the amount you are still required to pay before the car can be delivered, if you are paying by an all-in-one cash payment. This payment must be received at least 7 working days before the scheduled delivery date.

53. Indicative RAC Car Partner price

This is a guide line RAC Car Partner price, typically well below a franchised dealer's price. These prices are also often 20 -40% below the price of the new car equivalent.

54. Amount To Finance

This is the total price of the car, less any deposit, trade-in or additional down payment value. If you are paying with HP, your amount to finance must be at least 40% of the total price of the vehicle. If you are paying with PCP, your amount to finance must be at least 60% of the price of the vehicle.