Used Car Buying Guide UK

Run Free Checks Before Viewing

MOT history, current MOT status, and road tax status are all free and take under 5 minutes. If the seller won't give you the registration number before viewing, that is itself a red flag. Run every free check before travelling to see the car.

Check for Finance & Write-Off (HPI)

A car with outstanding finance can be legally repossessed from you even after you've paid for it. HPI/Experian checks also reveal Cat S/N write-off markers and whether the car appears on a stolen register. Cost: around £10–£20.

Inspect the V5C Logbook

The V5C must match the car's VIN on the door sill, dashboard, and engine bay. Check the colour, engine size, and number of previous keepers matches what the seller claims. Refuse a sale if anything on the V5C doesn't match the car in front of you.

Physical Inspection: Exterior

Look for mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps, and evidence of filler (magnet test works). Check all glass for chips and cracks. Inspect all four tyres for wear, cracking, and matching brands. Check every light.

Physical Inspection: Engine Bay

Look for oil leaks, coolant discolouration, and any signs of rushed repairs. Check the oil level and condition — black sludge indicates neglect. Check coolant level. If the engine is spotlessly clean on an old car, it may have been steam-cleaned to hide leaks.

Test Drive: What to Listen and Feel For

Test from cold if possible — cold starts reveal more. Listen for grinding on braking, clunks over bumps, whirring from wheels. Feel for vibration in the steering wheel. Test the air conditioning. Try all windows, mirrors, and heated seats. Check that all warning lights extinguish after start.

Verify Service History

Stamped service books are ideal. Digital service history is increasingly common from main dealers. Gaps in service records around the 60,000–100,000 mile mark may mean cambelt changes were skipped — an expensive failure waiting to happen.

Negotiate Using Evidence

Every advisory in MOT history is a negotiating point. Get repair quotes in advance. A simple formula: asking price minus documented repair costs minus a 10% unknowns buffer equals your maximum sensible offer. Present this calmly and with evidence.