Before you start
- Your budget and a shortlist of models
- Your driving licence for the test drive
- Insurance that covers test drives, or the seller’s permission to drive on their policy
- A friend or mechanic to help inspect (recommended)
Method 1 Set your budget and shortlist
-
Step 1: Work out the real cost
Budget for more than the price: insurance, road tax or registration, fuel, servicing, tyres and a repair fund of around 10% of the price. Get insurance quotes for your shortlisted models before you buy; they vary hugely.
-
Step 2: Pick reliable models
Read owner reviews and reliability surveys, and look for common faults with each model and engine. A popular model is usually cheaper to repair because parts are easy to find.
-
Step 3: Learn the going price
Compare at least ten similar adverts (same model, age, mileage and condition) on reputable car sites, and use online valuation tools to know a fair price.
-
Step 4: Choose dealer or private seller
A dealer costs more but usually gives a warranty and stronger consumer rights. A private seller is cheaper, but you have fewer rights if something goes wrong, so your own checks matter more.
Method 2 Check the history before you travel
-
Step 1: Ask for the details
Get the registration number and the VIN (vehicle identification number, 17 characters) from the seller. A seller who refuses is a red flag.
-
Step 2: Run a history check
Use your country’s official records and a paid history check where available. They can show whether the car is stolen, has outstanding finance, was written off after an accident, or has a mileage discrepancy. In the UK, MOT history is free on GOV.UK; in the US, NMVTIS reports and services such as Carfax are common.
-
Step 3: Read the inspection history
Past roadworthiness test results (such as MOT records) show recorded mileage over time and advisory notes about rust, tyres or brakes that may still need fixing.
Method 3 Inspect the car in person
-
Step 1: View it at the seller’s home
Meet in daylight and in dry weather at the address on the registration document, not a car park or roadside. Rain and darkness hide scratches and dents.
-
Step 2: Match the paperwork
Check the VIN on the documents matches the VIN on the car (usually at the bottom of the windscreen and on the door pillar or chassis). The seller’s name and address should match the registration document.
-
Step 3: Walk around the body
Look for uneven panel gaps, paint colour that doesn’t match, overspray on rubber seals, rust (especially wheel arches and sills) and dents. These can mean accident repairs.
-
Step 4: Check the tyres
All four tyres should have plenty of tread (the legal minimum is 1.6 mm in the UK and EU) and wear evenly. Uneven wear can mean alignment or suspension problems.
-
Step 5: Look under the bonnet
Ask for the engine to be cold when you arrive. Check the oil level and colour, the coolant level, and look for leaks. Creamy, mayonnaise-like residue under the oil cap can mean a head gasket problem.
-
Step 6: Check inside
Test every switch: windows, locks, lights, air conditioning, heater, wipers, horn, infotainment. Worn pedals or steering wheel on a low-mileage car is a warning sign.
Method 4 Take a proper test drive
Make sure you’re insured to drive the car before the test drive.
-
Step 1: Start it from cold
Warning lights should all light up when you turn the key, then go off within a few seconds once the engine starts. Listen for rattles and watch for smoke from the exhaust.
-
Step 2: Drive for 20 minutes or more
Include slow town roads, a fast road, hills and speed bumps. The car should pull cleanly, change gear smoothly and not drift to one side.
-
Step 3: Test the brakes
On a safe, empty stretch, brake firmly. The car should stop straight without vibration, grinding or a soft pedal.
-
Step 4: Listen and feel
Turn the radio off. Knocks over bumps, whining, clunks when turning at full lock, or a slipping clutch are all reasons to walk away or negotiate.
Method 5 Negotiate, pay and complete the paperwork
-
Step 1: Get a mechanic’s check
For anything but a cheap car, pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection. It often costs less than one hidden repair.
-
Step 2: Negotiate on facts
Use what you found, such as worn tyres, a due service or advisory notes, to justify a lower offer. Be ready to walk away.
-
Step 3: Pay safely
Pay by bank transfer at the handover, once you have the car, keys and documents. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and never pay a deposit for a car you haven’t seen.
-
Step 4: Get the documents
Collect a written receipt (date, price, car details, both names and signatures), the registration document, service history, spare key and manuals. Complete the change of ownership with your vehicle authority.
-
Step 5: Insure and tax before driving
Arrange insurance and any road tax or registration before you drive the car away. Tax and insurance usually don’t transfer from the previous owner.
Troubleshooting
The history check shows outstanding finance
Don’t buy until the seller clears it and gives proof from the finance company. If the debt isn’t paid, the car can be repossessed from you.
The mileage looks wrong
Compare the odometer with test records and service stamps. If the mileage has gone down at any point, or doesn’t match the wear, walk away.
A fault appeared soon after buying from a dealer
Contact the dealer in writing straight away. In many countries you have legal rights to a repair, replacement or refund if the car wasn’t of satisfactory quality at the time of sale.
Frequently asked questions
What mileage is too high for a used car?
Condition and service history matter more than mileage. A well-maintained car with 150,000 km can be better than a neglected one with half that. As a guide, 15,000–20,000 km (10,000–12,000 miles) a year is average.
Should I buy a car that has been written off?
Only if it has been professionally repaired, you know which category of write-off it was, and the price reflects it. They are harder to insure and resell.
Is it safer to buy from a dealer?
Usually, because dealers must follow consumer law and often offer warranties. Private sales are “as seen” in many countries.
Summary
Budget for the full cost, research reliable models, and check the history and paperwork before you view a car. Inspect it in daylight from cold, test drive it properly and get a mechanic’s opinion. Negotiate on what you find, pay traceably at handover, get every document and a receipt, and insure the car before you drive it home.
