Before You View: Research
- Run an HPI check (£20–30), confirms outstanding finance, insurance write-off status, stolen status, mileage discrepancies, and number of previous owners. Worth doing on any private purchase.
- Check the MOT history for free at gov.uk/check-mot-history, look for recurring advisories (signs of ongoing issues) and any unexplained gaps.
Documents to Check
- V5C (logbook), Must be present. Check the name and address matches the seller and the VIN on the car. If the seller isn't on the V5C, ask why.
- Service history, Stamped book or receipts. Continuous history adds value and proves the car has been maintained.
- Current MOT certificate, Cross-reference the mileage on the certificate with the dashboard.
Exterior Inspection
- Panel gaps, Stand back and look along the car. Uneven gaps between panels suggest accident repairs or poor quality bodywork.
- Paint shades, Look for panels that don't quite match (different sheen, slight colour difference), sign of repair.
- Rust, Check wheel arches, sill edges, door bottoms, and around windows. Surface rust can be cosmetic; bubbling paint indicates deeper structural rust.
- Tyres, Check tread (1.6mm legal minimum, use the 20p test), tyre pressures, and look for cuts, bulges, or uneven wear.
- Lights and windscreen, Check all lenses are intact. Any chip or crack wider than 10mm in the driver's direct view zone fails the MOT.
Interior Inspection
- Seat condition, Should match the claimed mileage. Heavily worn driver's seat on a low-mileage car is a red flag.
- Pedal wear, Same logic. Worn pedal rubbers suggest higher mileage than stated.
- Smell, Damp or musty smell suggests water ingress. Sweet smell could be coolant leak.
- Warning lights, Start the engine and check all warning lights illuminate on start-up then go out. Any lights that remain on after start-up need investigating.
- Electronics, Test all windows, mirrors, air con, infotainment, USB ports, and heated seats if fitted.
Under the Bonnet
- Oil level and condition, Should be between MIN/MAX. Milky or frothy oil cap = head gasket failure. Walk away.
- Coolant level, Check when cold. Should be between MIN/MAX.
- Signs of leaks, Look for oily patches on engine components, wet areas, or fresh sealant (hiding a recent repair).
- Belts and hoses, Cracked or perished rubber is a sign of age/neglect.
Test Drive (15–20 Minutes)
- Cold start, engine should start cleanly with no excessive smoke
- Check steering doesn't pull to one side on a straight road
- Test brakes, should feel firm, stop in a straight line, no judder or noise
- All gears should engage cleanly (manual: no crunching; automatic: no jerking or hesitation)
- Clutch should bite roughly in the middle of travel (not right at the floor or top)
- Listen for unusual noises, knocking, rumbling, squealing
- Check the temperature gauge reaches and stays at normal operating temperature
Red Flags, Walk Away
- Seller can't produce the V5C, or it's in a different name
- Outstanding finance on the HPI check
- Mileage discrepancies between MOT records and dashboard
- Milky oil cap (head gasket)
- Seller is pushy, evasive, or won't allow a test drive
- Price is significantly below market value for no clear reason
- Seller insists on meeting at a public place (may not be their car)
Pre-Purchase Inspection
For higher-value cars, consider a pre-purchase inspection by the AA, RAC, or a mobile mechanic (£100–200). They will check for hidden faults that a layperson might miss.
Completing the Purchase
- Pay by bank transfer only, no cash for large amounts (harder to trace), no crypto
- Get a receipt confirming price, date, seller details, and car details
- Complete the V5C change of ownership section and post it to DVLA (or do it online)
- Set up insurance before driving the car