The used car buying checklist

Buying a used car well is mostly about doing a few checks in the right order, before any money changes hands. This checklist walks through the whole process, from the first online check to handing over payment, with links to deeper guides on the things that catch people out.

1. Before you view: do your homework

• Run a history check on the registration. This confirms the recorded mileage, the MOT record, and any write-off, outstanding finance or stolen markers. It takes seconds and rules out the worst surprises early. Check a reg now.
• Look up the model's reliability. See how that make and model tends to hold up at MOT and what commonly fails, so you know what to inspect. Browse our reliability data.
• Budget for the real cost. Factor in road tax, insurance, and any known maintenance items for the model, not just the sticker price.

2. Check the documents

• The V5C logbook. It should be in the seller's name at the address where you are viewing the car. Be wary if it is not.
• Match the VIN. Check the vehicle identification number on the V5C against the one stamped on the car (usually visible at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar). They must match.
• Service history and receipts. Look for a consistent record of servicing, and check the mileages on the stamps rise in line with the MOT history.
• Former keepers. A long list of owners on a fairly new car is worth a second thought.

3. Inspect the car (cold, in daylight)

• View it dry and in daylight. Rain and dark hide paint defects and rust. Walk around for uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint, which can signal past accident repair.
• Tyres. Check tread depth, uneven wear (a sign of alignment or suspension issues) and that all four are a sensible brand.
• Under the bonnet. Look for oil leaks and check the oil cap for a creamy residue, which can hint at head-gasket trouble.
• Warning lights. With the ignition on, the dashboard lights should illuminate and then go out as the engine starts. A bulb that never comes on may have been removed to hide a fault.

4. The test drive

• Brakes. The car should stop straight, with no pulling, vibration or grinding.
• Steering. No vibration, pulling to one side, or knocking over bumps.
• Gearbox and clutch. Smooth changes, a clear clutch bite, and no crunching or slipping.
• Listen and watch. Note any unusual noises, and check the temperature gauge settles normally and the electronics all work.

5. Paperwork and payment

1. Do not pay a deposit before you have seen the car and run the checks. Pressure to pay quickly to hold a car is a classic scam.
2. If finance is owed, get a written settlement figure and arrange for it to be cleared as part of the sale. See our outstanding finance guide.
3. Get a dated receipt showing both names and addresses, the price, the mileage and the sale terms.
4. Pay traceably. A bank transfer leaves a record; avoid handing over large sums in cash.

6. Red flags: when to walk away

• The seller will not show the V5C, or will not let you view at the registered address.
• You are pushed for a fast cash deposit on a car you have not seen.
• An independent inspection is refused.
• The seller's name or address does not match the logbook.
• The mileage does not add up against the MOT history.
• The price is far below the market, with a story to explain it.