Used Car Buying Checklist

Attention Used car buyers Always check the car before you buy. Latest figures show more than half of second hand cars have been in an accident and almost a third have dangerous faults. Follow our simple checklist to make sure that you don't end up with a lemon...

Used Car buying Checklist

• Plan your budget and keep it flexible for a good offer!
• Make a list of questions to ask before going to buy the car – then record the answers and ask the seller to sign and date the document.
• Check for rust and paint bubbles particularly on the sills, wheel arches, seams, door bottoms and suspension mountings.
• Check beneath the bonnet and boot for oil leaks, welds, untidy seams or other evidence of accident repairs. Does the colour and texture of the paintwork match all over and are the lights and electrics in working order?
• Always check the car's registration document (V5) to validate ownership and accuracy of the vehicle’s age and mileage. Does the condition of the car reflect its stated age and mileage?
• Don’t rely on the MOT as evidence of a car's condition.
• Check that the engine/chassis numbers match the documentation.
• Test drive the car - first ensure that appropriate insurance is obtained.
• The interior of a car can tell you a lot. A badly worn interior can indicate a high mileage.
• Buy a vehicle status check to see whether it’s been stolen, has been written off or has outstanding finance and get an independent vehicle examination to check it’s mechanically sound!

Back to Buyer's Guide