Who to buy from

These days, most people look for cars online. You could go directly to a dealer, but a listing site like Autotrader and Gumtree will give you loads more choice.

You’ll see both private sellers (individuals selling their own cars) and trade sellers (who buy and sell vehicles professionally).

Some people prefer to buy from private sellers, because they’re likely to know more about the car, and (hopefully!) would have looked after it personally.

But trade sellers have more experience in the industry, and they’ll probably need to stick to certain legal standards. You’ll also have more recourse if anything goes wrong.

We’d say that either type of seller is fine. But in both situations, there are quite a few important checks to carry out before you sign and pay.

You can get information about a car before you go to see it

Before you take the time to go and test drive a car, there are a few important checks that you can do from the comfort of your own home.

You can use our free car checker to have a look at the vehicle’s MOT and tax details, as well as its insurance group.

You’ll also want to make sure that the car isn’t stolen or unsafe. Head over to the GOV.UK website to find out how to do that.

A HPI check can also provide some more detailed information on a vehicle’s history. This can give you valuable peace of mind when buying a new car. But they cost around £20 — so best to wait until you’ve seen the car and you’re sure that you want to buy.

What to check when buying a car

There’s a lot to look out for here. We’ll go over some of the things that you should check, but we’d recommend taking a more experienced driver with you when you go for a test drive. And if you really want to be sure that the car doesn’t have any hidden faults, it might be worth paying a mechanic to check out the car before you buy it.

Look at the exterior

Ideally, you’ll want to go and see the car in the daytime, and when it’s not raining. This will allow you to see the paintwork and glass properly, and any scratches or blemishes will be fully visible.

Then check the inside of the car

Have a look at the seats and other surfaces in the car. Ideally, there won’t be any rips, stains or other damage. Take a mental note of how clean the car is — this might indicate how well the previous owner has cared for it.

Make sure all of the gadgets work properly

Check the wipers, lights, and air conditioning to make sure they work. If your car has a GPS or entertainment system, have a look at that too.

Look at the engine

Open the bonnet and have a look at the engine. Ideally, everything will be clean with no rust. This is also a good time to check the oil, water, and coolant levels.

When you turn the engine on, check there’s no warning lights on — they could indicate mechanical problems that could be expensive down the line.

Check the paperwork

Ideally, the car will have a full service history and MOT history. If it doesn't, there could be some unknown problems.

The owner should also have a V5C for the vehicle.

Used cars won’t always be perfect

Small issues (that aren’t safety related) won’t always be a dealbreaker. But make sure you note these to the seller — this might help you negotiate the price later on.

The test drive

You’ll definitely want to take your potential new car for a spin before you buy it. Don’t forget to get insured!

When you’re on the road, keep an ear out for any unusual knocks or noises (it’s best not to play the radio while on a test drive). Check the brakes as you go, and make sure the car doesn’t pull to either side when stopping.

You should also practice on different road types, so you can get an idea of how the car performs at different speeds. Try to get to a dual carriageway or motorway if you can.

Finally, you might want to see how you feel about the car and how it drives. Ideally, you’ll feel safe, comfortable, and confident with the controls. That last part might not be as important, though. You’ll most likely build more confidence as you adjust to your new car.

Ultimately, there will always be some unknowns when you’re buying a used car - but by checking everything carefully, you can reduce the risk of anything going wrong.

See if you can negotiate

Negotiation is quite common when you’re buying a car — so you might be able to get a bit of a discount on the list price.

Some sellers (and some dealerships!) will expect you to haggle a bit. It might not always work, but it’s definitely worth a go.

Also, don’t feel pressured to buy the car on the spot. Often, sellers will encourage potential buyers to sign on the dotted line and drive off straight away. But if you’re not completely sure, it’s better to go away and think about it first.