Auto Trader

Buying a used car can have potential pitfalls - but it needn't be a painful experience if you follow a simple set of rules and checks.

We bring you the essential guide to buying a used car.

Do your research

It's vital to research thoroughly before buying a used car. Search out used car ads to find out what you should be paying for the model you're after. It could save you paying over the odds, and if the price is too low you should be equally wary.

It's also important to give yourself a budget, and include insurance, road tax and other running costs when you're doing your sums.

If you're applying for a loan, it's crucial that you shop around for the lowest rates.

Phoning the seller

Prepare a list of questions to ask the seller, and make notes. You should ask the seller:

How long have they owned the car?
Has the car had a recent MOT?
Is it taxed?
What condition is the car in?
Why are they selling it?
Has the car been involved in an accident?
What features does the car have?
Is it in full working order?

And before you hang up, it's a good idea to see if the seller is flexible on the price of the car, and make sure you have a landline number for the seller.

Vehicle check

If you do one piece of research, do this. A vehicle data check is the smartest investment you'll make when buying a car.

The check will reveal if the car has been reported stolen, has outstanding finance (if it has outstanding payments it's still the property of the finance house) on it, has been written-off or scrapped, and what the full spec of the vehicle should be.

It will also tell you the price you should expect to pay for the vehicle you're buying.

You'll also be able to see what the vehicle's identification number should be, so you can match it up to the numbers on the car itself (commonly found on the chassis, on the windscreen or on the floor by the driver's seat).

Click here for more information vehicle checks  and how to get one.

The visit

Always visit the seller at their home address. Don’t arrange to meet them at a motorway service station, a lay-by or any other address aside from the one where they live. Check the address is the same as the one listed on the V5C document.

Take the original advert with you, plus the notes you made during you phone conversation will the seller. This will enable you to check details like mileage and tax are the same as you were told during the call.

Checking the car

Never check a car in the dark or in the rain. It will make it very difficult to spot dents, scratches, rust, and a multitude of other defects.

If you can, take a look at the car before you ring the doorbell. This will give you a chance to look at it without being distracted by the seller.

Always start the car with a cold engine. This will make it easier to spot starting problems or excessive smoke.

Crouch down in front of each front wheel and look along the length of the car. Both front wheels should be directly in front of the rear – if they're not, it could mean the car has been in a crash with a slightly twisted chassis. This is known as crabbing.

Check the gaps between the body panels are equal – if they're not, the car could have been refitted badly, or may have been in a crash.

Take a look at the tyres. Are they in good condition? The minimum legal tread depth for tyres in the UK is 1.6mm.

Check under the car, beneath the bonnet and the carpet for rust and signs that the car has been in a crash, such as welding marks.

When you're inside the car, make sure the seatbelts work correctly, the steering wheel and dashboard are bolted on correctly, and that all the switches work, and that the front seats move about properly.

Under the bonnet, look for signs of oil leaks on top of the engine, and underneath. Use the dipstick to check the amount of oil. If the level is low, the owner hasn’t been looking after the car properly.

Look around the oil filler cap for a white mayonnaise-like substance - this is an indication of a damaged head gasket which can be very expensive to put right.

For more information on what to check when you're viewing a car, click here.

The test drive

You should never buy a car without driving it first.

Make sure you’re fully insured to drive the seller's car, and take evidence of this with you.

Before you start the journey, turn the steering wheel from one lock to the other. There should be no screeching, banging, or knocking.
Test the handbrake. Pull it on and drive off gently. If it doesn't hold the car back, something's wrong.

Drive on as many different roads surfaces as possible. Use all the gears, and check the gear change is slick and smooth. The clutch pedal should 'bite' between the top and middle of the pedal's travel.

Listen for odd noises from the engine, and don’t let the seller distract you by talking or turning up the radio.

Click here for more information on the test drive.

The haggle

Take a moment to remind yourself any work you think might need doing to the car. Use this to negotiate the price with the seller.

Ask the seller what they would take for the car. Make a lower offer for the car, then stay silent. This gives them two options – accept your offer, or make a counter offer.

If it looks like they are about to accept your offer, move to shake their hand and confirm the deal.

The paperwork

You must see the V5C document, the service history, the MOT. Everything must be present and correct, or you should walk away from the deal.

Make sure all the documents are original – don't accept photocopies.

Examine the logbook (V5C) carefully. Check the seller is the recorded keeper in the V5C. If not, they're not legally entitled to sell you the car.

Check the registration number is correct, as well as the vehicle identification number.

Lots of dealer stamps in the logbook means it's likely the car is well maintained. It's always worth calling the garage to check they did carry out the work.

The payment

Get a receipt for any payment you make, especially if you’re paying cash. Get two copies - one for you, and one them. Make sure the car's details and the seller's address are on both, and that both copies are signed.

Click here for important information on fraudulent vehicle sellers.

Auto Trader links

Buying a car
Test Drives
How to Check a Car Before Buying
Ten reasons why you need a car data check
Auto Trader Vehicle Check
Vehicle Crime Centre
Phoning the Seller
Car Buyers' Legal Rights
Useful Numbers
Make Me an Offer
DVLA V5C Registration Certificate