Buying your first car is exciting but can be overwhelming. This guide covers everything you need to know about checking a used car before purchase.
Before You Start Looking
Set Your Budget
Remember to include:
- Purchase price
- Insurance (get quotes first – it's often expensive for new drivers)
- Road tax
- Fuel
- MOT and servicing
- Vehicle check (£10)
Know What You Need
- How many seats/doors?
- Petrol, diesel, or hybrid?
- Manual or automatic?
- Insurance group (lower is cheaper)
Finding Cars to View
Where to Look
- AutoTrader – Largest UK car marketplace
- Facebook Marketplace – Private sellers
- Gumtree – Mix of private and trade
- Dealer websites – Local and national
First Filter: The Advert
Look for:
- Clear photos (exterior, interior, engine bay)
- Detailed description
- Service history mentioned
- MOT status
- Honest about any issues
Avoid:
- Single blurry photo
- Vague descriptions
- Price way below similar cars
- "No time wasters" (often hides problems)
Before Viewing: Essential Checks
1. Free MOT History Check
Visit gov.uk/check-mot-history and enter the registration. Look for:
- Consistent mileage increases (not decreases)
- Recurring failure reasons
- Advisory notices (upcoming work needed)
2. Free DVLA Check
Visit gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla to verify:
- Make and model match the advert
- Colour matches
- Tax and MOT are current
3. Vehicle History Check
Essential before committing. A Green Flag check (£9.99) reveals:
- Outstanding finance
- Stolen status
- Write-off history
- Mileage verification
- Salvage auction history
When Viewing the Car
Visual Inspection
Exterior:
- Walk around looking for dents, scratches, rust
- Check panel gaps are even
- Look for paint colour differences (accident repair)
- Check tyres have legal tread (at least 1.6mm)
- Look under the car for leaks
Interior:
- Does wear match the mileage?
- Test all buttons, switches, lights
- Check seats adjust properly
- Any warning lights on dashboard?
- Does it smell damp or smoky?
Under the bonnet:
- Oil level and condition (check dipstick)
- Coolant level
- Look for leaks or corrosion
- Check the battery terminals
Test Drive
Essential – never buy without driving. Check:
- Engine starts easily
- Gears change smoothly
- Brakes work without pulling or noise
- Steering is straight
- No warning lights appear
- No unusual noises
Document Checks
- V5C present and matches the car
- Seller is the registered keeper
- VIN matches V5C, windscreen plate, and door plate
- Service history (stamps, receipts)
- Spare key present
Completing the Purchase
Agreeing a Price
- Check similar cars on AutoTrader for fair price
- Factor in any work needed from advisories
- Don't be afraid to negotiate
Payment
- Bank transfer is safest (creates record)
- Never pay large cash amounts alone
- Get a signed receipt with seller details
Paperwork
- Complete the V5C/2 "new keeper" section
- Seller sends V5C/2 to DVLA
- You'll receive new V5C in 2-4 weeks
- Get insurance before driving home
Your First Car Checklist
Before viewing:
- ☐ Check MOT history (free)
- ☐ Check DVLA details (free)
- ☐ Run vehicle history check (£9.99)
When viewing:
- ☐ Visual inspection
- ☐ Test drive
- ☐ Check V5C matches car and seller
- ☐ Verify VIN plates
Before paying:
- ☐ Happy with condition
- ☐ All checks clear
- ☐ Price agreed
- ☐ Insurance arranged
Good luck with your first car! Run a vehicle check to start your buying journey safely.
