Buying a used car: payment, paperwork and your rights

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Put the deal in writing

Confirm the exact car, VIN, price, deposit terms, part-exchange value, included equipment, repairs, warranty and collection date in writing. Ask whether a deposit is refundable and under which conditions before paying it.

If finance is involved, check the final agreement against the illustration. Do not send money to a changed bank account based only on an email or message; independently confirm payment details with the dealer.

• Keep the advert, messages, order form and receipt.
• Record promised repairs and accessories before handover.
• Confirm who will clear any outstanding finance on a part-exchange.

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Check the car again at handover

Inspect the vehicle in daylight, compare the registration and VIN with your paperwork and verify that agreed work has been completed. Collect keys, manuals, service records, warranty documents and charging cables where applicable. Check the V5C process and keep the appropriate new-keeper slip.

Arrange insurance before driving. Tax the vehicle immediately when you become the keeper; vehicle tax does not transfer with the car. The official used-vehicle checklist links to the current registration, insurance and tax steps.

• Check the final mileage and condition.
• Take all keys and written warranty terms.
• Insure and tax the car before using it on the road.

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Understand your rights if something goes wrong

Your rights depend on whether you bought from a trader or a private individual, what was said about the car and the nature of the problem. Buying from a trader gives consumer protections that differ from a private sale. A warranty can add cover, but it does not replace statutory rights.

Contact the seller promptly, describe the problem in writing and keep evidence such as photographs, diagnostic reports and correspondence. Citizens Advice explains the current remedies and time limits for used-car problems; use its guidance for your situation rather than relying on a blanket promise of a refund.

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First-week ownership checklist

Set reminders for MOT, tax, insurance and servicing. Check tyre pressures, fluid levels or charge settings, and learn the car's safety controls. If a warning light or fault appears, document it and tell the seller promptly.

• Save copies of every purchase document.
• Register for MOT reminders where relevant.
• Read the vehicle manual before a long journey.