WHEN IT comes to buying a first car it appears that dad still knows best.

Despite the mass of information available at the fingertips on computers and phones, latest figures show that 45 per cent of new drivers still turn to dad for the inside knowledge on a first set of wheels.

The research was conducted by vehicle history check expert, HPI, and it reveals some interesting trends.

Turning to a friend (12%) was more common than asking mum; only 7% of those surveyed said they turn to their mothers for advice.

Men are more likely to ask their dads for car buying advice (55%), compared to women (35%).

When it comes the best bit of advice their dad had given them, almost a third (30%) of the total number of people we asked said it was ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves', and that pearl of wisdom had applied to shopping for a set of wheels.

Buying your first car is exciting, but it's easy to get swept away by fancy gadgets and freshly polished paintwork, putting buyers at risk of paying over the odds for a car with something to hide.

First time buyers are even more vulnerable to dishonest sellers, because they haven't been through the motions before and are unlikely to know what questions to ask, so it's always good to get advice from someone with more experience, such as your dad.

For anyone buying a first car a vehicle history and data check is vital as there are so many pitfalls out there.

So rather than ‘winging it' or guessing the status of a used car based on a quick test drive or kicking the tyres, get an instant vehicle history check for complete peace of mind. And don't forget to ask dad.