The Ultimate Used Car Buying Checklist

Buying a used car well comes down to checking the right things in the right order — before money changes hands. Work through this checklist and you'll filter out the bad cars early and negotiate the good ones from a position of strength.

1. Before you view — the desk checks

• Confirm the advert's details and ask the seller for the VIN and registration up front.
• Run a free VIN check to verify make, model, year, specification and open safety recalls.
• Check that the seller's name matches the registered keeper, and that the location is consistent.
• Research the model's common faults and a fair market price for that age and mileage.

2. The paperwork

• Registration document — does the VIN match the car and the advert?
• Full service history with consistent, rising mileage.
• Inspection / MOT certificates and any receipts for major work.
• Number of previous owners, and how long the current seller has owned it.

3. The bodywork & tyres

• Even panel gaps and consistent paint — mismatched shades or overspray hint at past accident repairs.
• Rust around arches, sills and the boot floor.
• Tyres worn evenly and matched across each axle; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.
• All VIN locations present and matching (see where to find the VIN).

4. Under the bonnet & inside

• Oil and coolant clean and at the right level; no mayonnaise-like residue on the oil cap.
• No fresh leaks under the engine or on the driveway.
• All electronics, warning lights, windows and air-con working.
• Interior wear consistent with the claimed mileage.

5. The test drive

• Start from cold — listen for rattles and watch for smoke.
• Brakes pull up straight; steering is true with no vibration.
• Gears (manual or auto) shift smoothly; clutch bites cleanly.
• No warning lights once warm, and no unusual noises over bumps.

6. Closing the deal

Agree the price in writing, get a dated receipt with both parties' details and the VIN, and never pay in full before you've seen all the documents. A confident buyer who has done the checks above almost always gets a better car at a better price.

Start the whole process the right way: run a free VIN check on any car you're considering.