Used cars have always been a popular and affordable means of buying a set of wheels, but at a fraction of the cost of a brand new vehicle. 

From used cars for new drivers to family-friendly second-hand cars, the market is big enough to accommodate all kinds of customers and their requirements. However, it’s also a potential minefield of dodgy motors and no-nonsense salesmen. 

Of course, we’d always recommend running a Green Flag Vehicle Check - our lower-cost, more comprehensive version of a HPI check - onany used car that you’re considering purchasing, but there are plenty of other things you can checkin person too. 

To help you along the way, here’s our guide to buying a used car safely. 

Where to buy a used car

Firstly, where is the best place to buy a used car? You’ve got several options to choose from when it comes to finding used cars for sale, each with their own pros and cons. 

Buying a used car from a dealership

The good thing about used car dealerships is quantity. There are plenty of them about, and they offer a wealth of cars for sale. Whether you opt for a smaller independent dealership or a larger, recognised company, more often than not, you’ll find the vehicle you’re looking for. 

Pros:

• More rights and security than buying elsewhere (especially when compared to buying privately) 
• The possibility of finance deals 
• Potentially flexible prices 
• Warranties and service histories of vehicles
• Many dealerships will accept credit card
• Many dealerships will also offer part exchange for your old vehicle

Cons: 

• Original prices are often more expensive than when buying a used car from auctions, online or private sellers
• Vehicle history documents and warranties are sometimes subject to the contract being signed
• Haggling with salesmen at a dealership can often be a tough negotiation process 

Buying a used car from a private seller

Vehicles on sale privately are certainly plentiful, but it can be risky. As they say though, without risk there is no reward, and as long as you take the correct precautions, purchasing a vehicle privately can be incredibly beneficial. 

Pros:

• Ordinarily, buying a car privately is cheaper than buying from a used car dealership
• Negotiating a cheaper price is usually easier, compared to bartering with a professional salesman 
• You will have the opportunity to meet the vehicle’s owner, and the chance to ask about the vehicle’s history in person 

Cons:

• Any finance or loan deals will have to be organised personally
• There will be no vehicle warranty 
• You cannot purchase the used car by credit card
• Unless negotiated otherwise, you won’t be able to part exchange an old vehicle 

For more advice on how to buy a used car from a private seller, read our guide on what to look out for.

Buying a used car at auction 

If you’re buying a vehicle under the hammer, it helps to be aware of what to look out for before committing to a final bid. After all, you want to be sure that you purchase a bargain – not a banger.   

Pros:

• Auction cars are usually a speedy sale, so you could get a car quickly and easily
• You have the opportunity to unearth a real gem
• It can be a good way to test the water of what other people are willing to pay for a certain model of car

Cons:

• There’s increased pressure at auctions, which could cause you to make a poor decision 
• You won’t be able to check over and test drive the vehicle 
• Due to online auction and buy and sell sites, the chance to find a bargain is becoming much more difficult 

Buying a used car online

Online shopping is the preferred means of grabbing a bargain for many these days, and this rings true when it comes to buying used cars too. 

Many believe this to be the best way to buy a used car, and you’ll find thousands of motors to browse through on online auction sites such as eBay. 

Most buyers will require you to make a PayPal deposit before collecting the car, but if you arrive and the car is not as described, you’re free to request your deposit back and walk away from the deal. 

One downfall of buying at an online auction is the location of the vehicle. If the car you’ve ‘won’ is located hundreds of miles away, you’ll have to fork out money on a road trip or organising a transportation company to deliver the vehicle.

How to check a used car before buying

Now you’re familiar with where to buy a used car and the specific pros and cons of each, it’s time to look at how to check a used car and what you should keep an eye out for.

Being aware of common problems and where to look for them can mean the difference between a dud purchase or an amazing deal. So, it’s a good idea to read through this checklist and exercise it when you look over a used vehicle.

Age and mileage

Two important factors to consider and check before buying a second-hand car. Yes, age is just a number, but the older a vehicle is the more likely it is to need repairs or regular bodywork and mechanical maintenance. 

High mileage may indicate that the vehicle has more wear and tear or has been run into the ground. Unfortunately, some dealers or sellers may try to dupe customers by ‘correcting’ the mileage. You should always conduct a data check when buying a used car to ensure the mileage checks out and you’re not purchasing a ‘clocked car’. 

This can be taken care of quickly and easily with our comprehensive vehicle history check.  

Tyres 

Kicking the tyres may be the classic car check cliché, but we’d recommend more than just flailing your feet at them and hoping for the best. When checking car tyres, it’s important to pay attention to the tread. 

1.6mm of tyre tread is the legal minimum, so if the tyres fall below this you’ll need to consider the extra cost of changing tyres in the sum total of the deal. 

Bodywork 

You should check the vehicle’s exterior for dents and scratches, as well as any panel gaps that may indicate a car has been repaired following an accident.

Interior and upholstery

You’re going to be spending a fair bit of time inside the vehicle, so it’s worth taking a good look around. 

You should check for any damage and tears in the car’s seats, as well as the carpets, roof, dashboard, sun visors, the glovebox and the boot. Oh, and don’t forget to use your nose too, just in case. 

Engine oil and fluid levels

Ensure that the vehicle has the correct levels of engine oil, as if it’s low it could lead to mechanical failures. It’s also a pretty good pointer towards whether the car has been well-cared for and maintained properly. 

You should also check the brake and power steering fluid while you’re there, as well as the oil level, oil cap and whether there are any signs of oil leaking from the engine.

Electronics 

The car’s electronics are often some of the first things to start malfunctioning, especially in an older vehicle. We recommend testing the radio, front and rear lights, warning lights and indicators, internal lights, electric windows, the air conditioning and any other electrical components.

Glass

Cast an eye over the windscreen to identify any potential chips in the glass. Chips can soon turn into cracks, which will mean replacing the full windscreen. Any windscreen faults that fall in the driver’s eye line could result in an MOT failure too, so it pays to be vigilant. 

You should also check both front and rear lights for chips, cracks and internal fogging. 

Accessories and spare wheels

If the car ad notes any accessories included within the description, ensure that they’re all accounted for. This may include a car jack, adapters and original parts that may have been modified, such as the car’s original radio. If the vehicle is meant to come with a spare wheel, you should also check that this is included. 

There you have it, our comprehensive list of tips on how to buy a used car safely.

If you need a vehicle history check, we’ve got you. Get our version of the popular HPI Car Check with Green Flag's One Check.

Happy car hunting!