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Tips on buying a used car – your questions answered

All you need to know about buying a second-hand car from dealers and private sellers, what to look for on a test drive, and doing the deal

Advice 11 months ago

When is the best time of year to buy a car?

The cost of a car is rarely final, and there are bargains to be had if you’re prepared to negotiate or wait for a deal. But when is the best time to shop for your next car?

Advice 1 year ago

What’s a Category S or Category N car?

Category S (Cat S) and Category N (Cat N) are a type of insurance category given to a vehicle if it has been written off by an insurance company because it’s uneconomical to repair. However, just because a car has been 'written off', it doesn't necessarily mean you should reject buying it.

Advice 1 year ago

Should I buy a car with outstanding finance?

With more and more cars being bought on finance, it’s possible the car you’re looking to buy might have finance owing on it. What can you do in that situation?

Advice 4 years ago

Do I need a vehicle history check?

With a third of all used cars having something to hide, finding out about the history of a potential purchase could be vitally important.

Advice 4 years ago

How do I look for faults on a used car?

There might be a lot to think about with a used car, but taking your time before you buy could save you money and effort further down the line.

Advice 4 years ago

Tips on buying a used car safely

Watch our short film featuring three top tips that will help ensure you stay safe when you're buying a used car.

Advice 4 years ago

How do I test drive a used car?

Test driving a used car is very different to testing a new car. Of course, you need to check that the car meets your needs, but you also need to check that it is in decent condition.

Advice 4 years ago

Should I negotiate when buying a used car?

Dealers want more transparency and trust in the market, so an increasing number of cars are being priced at market value from the outset. However, there may still be times when you need to negotiate.

Advice 1 year ago

How do I transfer ownership and tax for a used car I've bought?

Just bought a car? Don't forget your legal obligations.

Advice 4 years ago

What paperwork do I need when buying a used car?

There's only a little paperwork to worry about when buying a used car, but it is vital.

Advice 11 months ago

How do I pay a private seller when buying a used car?

There’s no shortage of ways to pay for a car, but some are more advisable than others.

Advice 1 year ago

Where is the best place to buy a used car?

Used-car buyers have plenty of choice where to buy their next used car, and each place has its pros and cons. No one choice will be right for everyone, but whether you want a good price, good service or excellent back-up, you have the option.

Advice 2 years ago

Should I buy a new, nearly new or used car?

Our research has shown many car buyers don’t worry about whether they want a new or a used car, all they’re concerned with is getting their next car. So, what are the pros and cons of new, nearly new and used cars?

Advice 4 years ago

How can I be sure I’m getting the right price for my part-exchange?

Get the best possible deal by securing the right valuation for the car you're trading in.

Advice 4 years ago

How can I be sure I’m paying the right price for a used car?

For most buyers, knowing they're paying the right price is crucial, but the good news is it's easy to check they are.

Feature 3 years ago

Best first cars: affordable style for less than £5,000

We pick the best first cars for new and young drivers who want a dash of style from their new wheels, along with cheap insurance, affordable running costs, and driving fun.

Feature 3 years ago

Best first cars for under £2,000

Don't think you'll have a limited choice when you buy your first car. On the contrary, with a budget of £2,000, you can have pretty much whatever sort of car you fancy.

Advice 4 years ago

Is it worth getting a used car inspection?

If you don’t feel confident looking over a car yourself, there are plenty of people who’ll do the dirty work for you.

Advice 2 years ago

How to choose a good car retailer

When you’re researching your next car, don’t just think about what to buy, think about where to buy it as well.

Advice 2 years ago

How to spot a flood-damaged car

Floods have caused chaos in recent years, and it's possible flood-damaged cars could make it on to the used car market, but following our tips should help you steer clear of a potentially dangerous buy.

Advice 4 years ago

How do you complain if there's a problem when buying a car?

If you want to make a complaint, the most important things to note are that you have to be reasonable and there must be a fault – you can’t just change your mind.

Advice 4 years ago

How can I transfer a personal car registration?

If you want to move a personal plate from your current car to a new car you’re buying, it’s relatively simple.

Advice 4 years ago

How important is a used car’s service history?

A full service history is one of the most sought-after qualifications on a used car, but is it vital?

Advice 4 years ago

How do I time the purchase of a car with the sale of my old one?

Get things wrong, and you could end up with two cars at once or, worse still, none at all.

Advice 2 years ago

How to use Auto Trader’s Owner Reviews

Looked at alongside Auto Trader’s Expert Reviews, our collection of thousands of Owner Reviews will give you the complete picture of what any car you might be interested in is like to live with.

Advice 8 years ago

Moderation rules for Owner Reviews on Auto Trader

We check all reviews before publishing them. Knowing what's allowed will give you the best chance of ensuring your review is passed first time.

Advice 3 years ago

Moderation rules for Dealer Reviews on Auto Trader

We check all reviews before publishing them. Knowing what's allowed will give you the best chance of ensuring your review is passed first time.

Advice 3 years ago

Content standards for Dealer Reviews on Auto Trader

Find out what a dealer review should and shouldn't contain.

Advice 4 years ago

How to spot and avoid clocked, stolen or unsafe cars

Buying a used car should be an exciting experience. To make sure it is, follow our tips below to avoid buying a car that has a hidden past, turns out be stolen or is illegal.

Advice 8 months ago

New, nearly new and used cars explained

What's the difference between new, nearly new and used, and what are the pros and cons of each?

Best Of 1 year ago

Best car gadgets; now and in the future

Everyone loves a gadget, and car manufacturers are constantly falling over themselves to satisfy buyers demands. We take a look at the cleverest - and wackiest - gimmicks on offer.

Best Of 1 year ago

The best used cars 2019

Our pick of some of the best value used cars you can get for less than £5,000 in 2019.

Advice 1 year ago

How to buy a car at an Independent Dealer

We know that some potential buyers are put off by the image of independents, but that’s not fair, as Vicki Butler-Henderson found when she visited the award-winning AZ Autos in Hertfordshire.

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We pick the best cars for your lifestyle, from driving long miles on the motorway to navigating the busy city, taking the dog for a muddy walk or the kids to football training.

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Meet the Auto Trader team

Erin Baker

Editorial director

Erin spent most of her career as a motoring journalist on The Daily Telegraph. Still enjoys fast cars, but spends most of her free time driving round four kids in a SUV.

Ivan Aistrop

Road test editor

Ivan has been testing cars and writing reviews since 2000. There aren't many motors out there that he hasn't driven.

Phill Tromans

Senior road tester

A journalist since 2001, Phill spent more than a decade testing cars in the UK and abroad, working for Autocar, Fleet News and Evo Middle East.

May Starey

Video & image editor

May manages all of Auto Trader's editorial photo and video activity, along with our YouTube channel.

Andrew Woodhouse

Digital editor

Andrew creates our buying guides and advice pieces, working with our expert reviewers to help you find your perfect car.

Lucy Yiasoumi

Digital editor

Lucy reports on industry news.

Ian Plummer

Industry commentator