From 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.
Buying a used car is easier when you take it in stages. Use this checklist from the moment you spot an advert to the moment you drive away.
1. Before you contact the seller
- Set a budget that includes insurance, road tax, fuel and a cushion for repairs. Get insurance quotes for the model before you fall for it.
- Research the model. Look up common faults, running costs and the price of similar cars with similar mileage.
- Read the advert carefully. Vague descriptions, a price well below similar cars, or a seller who only wants to communicate by message can all be warning signs.
2. Check the car's history
Ask for the registration and run a history check before you travel. It shows MOT history and mileage, and whether the car has outstanding finance, has been written off or is recorded as stolen. If anything doesn't match what the seller told you, ask them about it, or walk away.
3. Ask the seller questions
- How long have you owned it, and why are you selling?
- Is there any finance outstanding?
- Has it ever been in an accident or had an insurance claim?
- Does it have a service history, and when was the cambelt last changed (if it has one)?
- Are both keys available?
4. View the car in the right place
See the car at the seller's home address, ideally the address shown on the logbook (V5C), and in daylight. Be wary of meeting in a car park or lay-by, or of a seller who brings the car to you.
5. Check the paperwork
- Logbook (V5C): the seller should be the registered keeper, the address should match where you're viewing, and the details should match the car. Read how to make sure a car is what it claims to be.
- VIN: compare the vehicle identification number on the logbook with the VIN on the car (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a plate in the door frame or engine bay).
- Service history: stamps, invoices and receipts should match the MOT mileage history.
6. Inspect the car
- Walk around it: look for uneven panel gaps, mismatched paint and overspray, which can point to accident repairs.
- Check the tyres for even wear and legal tread (at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters).
- Look under the bonnet for leaks, and check the oil and coolant levels.
- Check that the wear on the steering wheel, gear knob, pedals and driver's seat matches the mileage. See how to spot a clocked car.
- Try every electrical item: windows, lights, air conditioning, infotainment.
7. Take a test drive
Make sure you're insured to drive it. Start the engine from cold if you can, and drive at a range of speeds. Listen for knocks and rattles, check the brakes pull straight, and make sure the gears change smoothly and the clutch doesn't slip.
8. Agree the price and pay safely
- Use anything you've found, such as MOT advisories, worn tyres or a missing service, to negotiate.
- Pay by bank transfer and keep a record. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Never pay a deposit for a car you haven't seen.
- Get a written receipt with the date, price, registration, VIN, and both your names and addresses.
9. After you buy
- Tax the car before you drive it. Road tax doesn't transfer to a new keeper. Use the reference number on the new keeper slip (V5C/2). See road tax when you buy a used car.
- Insure it before you drive away.
- Check the seller has told the DVLA about the sale. Your new logbook should arrive within a few weeks.