Vintage shopping and second-hand hauls are nearly as common as buying new these days, with everyone excited to snag a deal on Vinted or Facebook marketplace.However, as tempting as a £3 top or £50 iPhone may seem, a money-saving expert has warned there are items to avoid if you're looking for pre-owned gear.Research from The Motor Ombudsman found that 88 per cent of 2,000 Brits surveyed have bought pre-loved items, mainly to save money, but many have been caught out by 'fails', including books arriving with pages ripped out.One fifth were too caught up in the buzz of a bargain and found clothes arriving in the wrong size, while 16 per cent got damaged goods. Fourteen per cent found items which arrived dirty while for nine per cent, it was missing parts. Elsewhere, there are pieces which may serve you better pre-owned than new - like long-lasting vintage furniture, or a coat from a reputable brand.Thrifting expert Lola Amuah has shared her hacks on which pre-loved garbs are good to bid on - and the ones that are better left in the past.'Over the years I've picked up a few habits that make second‑hand shopping so much easier,' she shared.'My biggest rule is to always check the label, the material and the brand, which makes such a difference. Once you start recognising good‑quality fabrics, you can spot the better pieces really quickly.'I also never stick to just the women's section. Some of my best finds have been hiding in men's, kids or even homeware. Oversized jumpers and jackets are almost always better in the men's aisle.'Before I buy anything, I look it over properly. Tiny stains, missing buttons or little holes are so easy to miss in the moment, and there's nothing worse than getting home and spotting damage later.'I've also learned not to expect one huge haul. Charity shops and car boots are completely random; some days there's nothing, and then another day you'll find loads within ten minutes. Going regularly is the trick.'And finally, I always think about quality, not just price. Just because something is cheap, doesn't mean it's worth buying. I'd rather spend a little more on a lovely piece that I'll use and keep.' Vintage shopping and second-hand hauls are nearly as common as buying new these days, with everyone excited to snag a deal on Vinted or Facebook marketplace. Stock image usedAVOID BUYING THESE SECOND-HAND1. Mattresses'I know people do buy them second-hand, but I personally just couldn't. You don't really know how old they are or what condition they've been kept in.'2. Safety gear'Things like helmets or car seats just aren't worth the risk to me. Even if they look fine, you never know if they've been involved in an accident or have internal damage.'3. Part-worn tyres'This is one thing I'd rather not try to save money on. They might look okay on the surface, but you've no idea what they've been through before being taken off of someone else's car.'It comes ahead of The Motor Ombudsman's safety push, 'WORN-WARN', urging drivers not to cut corners on tyres – after finding that nearly a third (31 per cent) would consider buying part-worn tyres instead of new ones. The figure rises to close to half (47 per cent) amongst 25 to 34-year-olds. 4. Small electricals'Second-hand heaters, chargers and things like that just make me nervous. I'd rather pay a bit more and know they're safe.'5. Really cheap fast fashion'A lot of it barely lasts when it's brand-new anyway, so second-hand can already look really worn out after only a few washes.'GOOD TO BUY SECOND-HAND 1. Solid wood furniture'Honestly, some older furniture can be so much nicer than what you can buy brand-new nowadays. You can pick up some beautiful solid wood pieces for hardly anything, and they last forever.'2. Good quality clothes & coats'People get rid of amazing clothes all the time that have barely been worn. I'd much rather buy a really nice cut-price second-hand coat from a good brand than a cheap new one.'3. Cars'Buying new is not an option for some, so getting behind the wheel of a quality used car from a trusted, Motor Ombudsman-accredited retailer that has some miles on the clock already can prove a more affordable way of owning a car.'4. Books, games (e.g. console, computer, and board) & media (e.g. DVDs and CDs)'There's not really much of a downside because they work exactly the same second-hand if in good condition, so it's a no brainer to go second-hand with these.'5. Baby stuff'Babies outgrow things so fast that plenty of second-hand items are as good as new, plus some people get gifts they may not get round to ever using. With today's cost of raising a child, it's a great way to save money.'