There’s a point in every car viewing when the questions stop and the excuses start.
The tyres are worn, but they’re easy to replace. The service book’s missing, but the seller seems decent. The warning light has apparently been on for months with no trouble. Each of those might be perfectly reasonable. Taken together, they can turn a promising purchase into one you should think twice about, and that’s why buying a used car is really about asking the right questions at the right time.
Start before you’ve even seen the car. What do you need? What can you spend? What must the seller be able to answer? Then use the viewing to find out whether the car meets those expectations.
What Is the Advert Actually Claiming?
Read it once for the things you like. Then again for the details.
“Full service history”, “excellent condition” and “recently serviced” are claims, and claims need following up. Ask what records are available, what the latest service included and whether there are any faults the photos don’t show.
Get the registration number and current mileage before you travel. Save the advert and any messages discussing the car’s condition.
Then ask: are there spare keys? A missing second key may not stop you buying, but replacing it could be an expense you hadn’t considered.
What Does the Car’s History Say?
Find out at home. You’ll have time to read the results properly, which is far more comfortable than doing it on your phone while the seller waits beside you.
Before arranging a viewing, use Reg Check to look into the vehicle’s history. Review what the report covers, including whether checks for outstanding finance, recorded insurance write-offs and stolen vehicle markers are included.
Look through the MOT records rather than stopping at the latest pass.
Suppose the same suspension component has had an advisory at several tests. You won’t know exactly what needs doing today. You’ll know what to ask, though: has it been repaired, and is there an invoice?
Does the mileage make sense? A reading that drops between tests should be explained. It might be an input error, so avoid jumping to conclusions, but don’t simply ignore it.
A clear report is helpful. It still won’t tell you whether the clutch is worn or the air conditioning works.
What Will It Cost After You Buy It?
This is the question people forget when buying a used car. Answer it before you negotiate.
Get an insurance quote for the actual car. Check its servicing requirements and ask when the next service is due. Look into any major scheduled work, particularly timing belt replacement where applicable.
Then think about tyres, brakes and other items that may be approaching replacement.
A car advertised for £500 less than another example isn’t necessarily cheaper once those bills are included. And recent work only reassures you if there’s evidence it was completed.
Keep a little of your budget back. Even a carefully chosen used car can need attention.
What Can You See for Yourself?
Quite a lot, in the right conditions. Arrange to see the car in daylight, ideally in dry weather, since wet panels make scratches and paint differences harder to judge.
Walk around it before getting caught up in conversation. Look along the bodywork, check the panel gaps and inspect the tyres. Notice anything that deserves a closer look, then ask about it.
Previous paintwork isn’t automatically a reason to reject a car. The real question is what happened, and whether the explanation matches its condition.
Inside, try the equipment instead of assuming it works. Open the windows, adjust the mirrors, test the heating and air conditioning and check the locks. Look in the boot and under the mats for signs of damp.
These checks take only a few minutes. Repairing the faults they uncover can take considerably longer.
How Does It Start From Cold?
If possible, ask the seller not to warm the engine before you arrive.
Listen while it starts and settles. Watch the dashboard for warning lights that stay on. If you hear something unusual, ask about it, and get a mechanic’s opinion if you’re unsure.
No need to pretend you know more than you do. “I’d like that checked before I buy” is a perfectly reasonable response to an unexplained noise.
Check fluid levels only when it’s safe and in line with the vehicle handbook. Never remove the coolant cap from a hot engine.
Does the Paperwork Match the Car?
This one deserves more than a quick glance over the bonnet.
Ask to see the original V5C log book and check that the vehicle details match. Compare the vehicle identification number with the car itself. Remember that the V5C identifies the registered keeper rather than proving ownership.
Then go through the service records. Invoices can tell you more than stamps alone, because they show the work carried out. Check the dates, mileages and vehicle details.
If the seller says a major job has been done, is there a supporting record? If not, you have to decide how much uncertainty you’re prepared to accept.
What if the service book is missing? An online service history check can search available records from dealerships and authorised dealer networks. Any records it finds can help you understand the vehicle’s maintenance history and compare it with invoices supplied by the seller.
Do You Need a Second Opinion?
You don’t have to assess everything yourself.
An independent inspection is worth considering if the car is expensive, has recorded damage or leaves you uncertain about its mechanical condition. Ask what the inspection covers and read the findings before agreeing to buy.
Do the history records, paperwork and inspection all tell the same story? They should, because they’re separate pieces of evidence about one car. If they don’t, find out why.
Is Everything Agreed Before You Pay?
Agree exactly what you’re buying and what comes with it, including keys, documents and any accessories mentioned in the advert.
Put promised repairs in writing. Check they’ve been completed before collection rather than relying on an assurance that they’ll be sorted later.
Get a receipt recording the registration, purchase price, date, and buyer’s and seller’s details. Keep it with the advert and relevant correspondence.
Arrange insurance, make sure the keeper transfer is handled and tax the car as required before driving away. Vehicle tax doesn’t pass from the seller to you.
Are You Actually Sure?
If not, take a break before deciding. You don’t owe anyone a purchase because they’ve spent time showing you the car, and a long journey doesn’t make unresolved problems less important. The last question in buying a used car is the one only you can answer.
And remember: it’s much easier to leave a viewing than to wish you had.
