What to check when buying a used car
Most problems with a used car can be spotted before you hand over any money, if you know where to look. Work through these checks in order: some take a minute online before you travel, others need the car in front of you.
Before you travel to see it
- Ask the seller for the registration number and check the car's MOT history. It shows every test result, the faults recorded and the mileage at each test.
- Compare the MOT history with the advert: the make, model, colour and mileage should match.
- Check the tax status and when the MOT runs out, so you know what you'll need to sort straight away.
- Write-off, stolen and outstanding finance records aren't in MOT data. Check those with a paid vehicle history check before you pay.
- Look up the cost of insurance and road tax for that model, so the running costs don't surprise you.
Start with the MOT history
Free: every MOT, every defect explained in plain English, mileage, tax and ULEZ.
At the viewing
- View the car in daylight, at the address on the logbook (V5C) where possible.
- Check the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the car matches the V5C. It's usually at the bottom of the windscreen and on a plate inside a door frame.
- Walk round the car: look for uneven gaps between panels, paint that doesn't match, rust, and damage to the wheels.
- Check all four tyres for tread depth, cracks and bulges, and that they wear evenly across the width.
- Look under the bonnet and under the car for leaks, and check the oil and coolant levels.
- Start the engine from cold if you can. Warning lights should come on with the ignition and go out once it's running.
- Try everything that works electrically: lights, wipers, windows, mirrors, heating and air conditioning.
On the test drive
- Make sure you're insured to drive it before you set off.
- Listen for knocks over bumps, which can point to worn suspension parts.
- Brake firmly on a quiet road: the car should stop in a straight line without vibration.
- Check the steering feels straight and doesn't pull to one side.
- Run through all the gears, and check the clutch or automatic gearbox changes smoothly.
The paperwork
- The V5C logbook: check the seller's name and address match, and the details match the car.
- Service history: stamps or invoices that line up with the mileage.
- Receipts for any work the MOT history flagged, such as advisories at the last test.
- Both keys, and the locking wheel nut key if the car has one.
Before you pay
- Make sure write-off, stolen and finance checks have come back clear.
- If you're unsure about the car's condition, pay for an independent inspection by a qualified mechanic.
- Pay in a way you can trace, such as a bank transfer, and get a written receipt with the car's details.
- Tax the car before you drive it away: tax doesn't transfer from the seller.
MOT defects mentioned here
More guides
General information for buying or selling a used car in Great Britain, not advice about a particular car. Rules can change: check GOV.UK for the latest on tax, MOTs and selling a vehicle, and have any car you're buying inspected by a qualified mechanic.