Buying and selling advice

Plain-English guides to buying a used car safely, selling one smoothly, and understanding what a history check tells you.

Buying · 3 min readWhy check a car's history before you buy?A used car can look perfect and still hide outstanding finance, a write-off or a wound-back mileage. Here's what a history check reveals, and why it's worth doing before you hand over any money.Read the guide

Buying · 3 min readWhat to do when buying a used car: a step-by-step checklistFrom checking the advert to driving away, here's what to do at each stage of buying a used car, so you don't miss anything important.
Selling · 4 min readWhat to do when selling your carHow to prepare your car, price it, deal with buyers safely, get paid, and complete the paperwork with the DVLA, insurer and finance company.
Checks explained · 3 min readOutstanding finance: what happens if you buy a car that isn't paid off?Lots of used cars are sold with money still owed on them. Here's how car finance works, what the law says if you buy one by mistake, and how to protect yourself.
Checks explained · 3 min readWrite-off categories explained: Cat A, B, S and NWhat each insurance write-off category means, which written-off cars can go back on the road, and what to think about before buying a repaired one.
Checks explained · 3 min readHow to spot a clocked carClocking makes a car look less used than it is. Here's how mileage fraud works, the signs to look for, and how the MOT mileage record helps you catch it.
Checks explained · 3 min readHow to read a car's MOT historyWhat MOT failures, dangerous and major defects, and advisories tell you about a used car, and the patterns to look out for before you buy.
Checks explained · 3 min readCloned cars and plate changes: is the car what it claims to be?How car cloning works, what a private plate change on the history means, and the checks that make sure the car in front of you matches its paperwork.
Buying · 3 min readBuying from a dealer or privately: your rightsYour legal rights are very different depending on whether you buy a used car from a dealer, a private seller or at auction. Here's what protection you get with each.
Selling · 2 min readSelling privately, part exchange or an online car buyer?The three main ways to sell a used car compared: how much you're likely to get, how much effort each takes, and the catches to look out for.
Buying · 3 min readShould you buy an ex-taxi or private hire car?Former taxis and private hire cars can be cheap, but they've usually worked hard. How to tell if a car has been licensed as a taxi, and what to check before buying one.
Owning · 2 min readSafety recalls: how to check a car and get the work done for freeManufacturers recall cars to fix safety faults, but many recalls are never completed, especially on used cars. Here's how to check a car and what to do if a recall is outstanding.
Owning · 2 min readRoad tax when you buy or sell a used carRoad tax doesn't transfer with the car. How to tax a car you've just bought, how sellers get their refund, and how much tax a used car costs.
Owning · 2 min readClassic cars at 40: MOT and road tax exemptionsCars over 40 years old can usually be taxed for free and don't need an MOT. How the historic vehicle rules work, and what to check when buying a classic.
Owning · 3 min readLondon ULEZ: does your car meet the standard?How London's Ultra Low Emission Zone works, which petrol, diesel and hybrid cars meet the standard, how much the daily charge is, and how to check a car before you buy.

Check a car before you buy

MOT history, mileage, outstanding finance, write-offs and stolen records. Confirm the car for free first.

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