Used-car checks and the test drive

Do the free checks before travelling

Ask for the registration and check the DVLA record, MOT history and safety recalls yourself. Compare make, fuel type, first registration date and MOT mileage with the advert. Repeated advisories, long MOT gaps or mileage that goes backwards need an explanation and evidence.

An MOT pass means the car met the test standard on that day. It is not a mechanical warranty. Ask for invoices showing that important advisory work was completed. A separate vehicle-history check may reveal finance, theft or write-off information that the basic DVLA and MOT checks do not cover; understand what the provider actually checks.

• Save the advert and ask about known faults before you travel.
• Ask for service invoices, not just the words ‘full service history’.
• If records conflict, pause until the seller can explain them.

Match the V5C and VIN to the car

See the original V5C registration certificate. Compare its registration, vehicle details and VIN with the car. Check the VIN on the car itself, not only a photograph sent by the seller. A V5C records the registered keeper; it does not prove ownership.

Read GOV.UK's current V5C security checks, including its watermark and serial-number advice. If the seller cannot explain missing paperwork or a mismatch, do not hand over a deposit while it is unresolved.

Inspect the car in daylight

View a clean, dry car where you can see the bodywork. Look for inconsistent paint, uneven panel gaps, corrosion, cracked lights or glass, leaks and damp inside the boot or cabin. Check all four tyres for wear and matching size; uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Start the engine from cold if possible. Watch for warning lights that stay on, unusual smoke or noises. Try every window, lock, light, air-conditioning control, screen, camera and key. For a high-value car or one you cannot assess confidently, consider an independent inspection before paying.

• Check seats, seatbelts, spare wheel or repair kit and both keys.
• Ask the seller to demonstrate any feature advertised as working.
• Photograph concerns and agree repairs in writing.

Drive it properly

Confirm insurance before driving. Include town speeds, safe faster roads, braking, parking and a hill if available. Listen with the stereo off. Check for pulling, vibration, steering noises, harsh gear changes, overheating or warning messages. Try the car again after it has stopped and restarted.

You do not have to decide at the end of the drive. If something needs diagnosis, ask for it to be fixed and documented, or obtain your own inspection. Do not rely on a verbal promise that a fault is ‘normal for the model’.