Brake. Check. Buy.

Do the proper checks and don’t rush when buying a used car. We can help you #ShopAware.

Brake.

Make sure you do your research on the seller before buying a used car.

If you’re buying from a trader (a business that sells cars), checking on the following can help you find one that’s trustworthy:

• Are they a member of a trade association — for example, the Retail Motor Industry Federation?
• Do they have the Consumer Codes Approval scheme logo? This means you can act through a trade association if something goes wrong
• Have their cars been inspected by an independent engineer or motoring organisation?
• Do they belong to the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme? They offer a free way to solve your problem without going to court in the future

If you’re buying from an individual seller:

• You’re entitled to expect that the vehicle is roadworthy, unless you and the seller clearly agree it’s bought for scrap or for spares and repair
• Be extra vigilant if you’re buying from an online marketplace such as Facebook Marketplace. You can do a reverse image search on google to see whether the picture has been used before

And no matter who you’re buying from, keep a copy of the advert you see for the vehicle so you can prove what it said/how the vehicle was described in case there’s a problem later.

Check.

Once you’ve chosen your seller, it’s time to do your research on the car so you can make sure it fits your needs and doesn’t have any issues!

Is the car right for you?

• Check the insurance and running / maintenance costs are affordable
• Get an idea of monthly finance repayments if not buying outright

Check the car’s history

• Check the car’s details with the DVLA using their free online vehicle checker
• Check the MOT history on GOV.UK. This will include checking if the car has a safety recall
• Get a private history check. This might cost up to £20, but will give you valuable information about serious problems the car might have

Do a test drive

• Make sure you’re insured before the test drive
• You should arrange to view the car in daylight, preferably when it’s dry — it’s harder to spot damage to the car if it’s wet
• Allow at least half an hour and drive on all kinds of road. How does the car perform on different roads and surfaces?
• Does the car’s details match with the documents? Make sure the seller shows you the log book and check it for watermarks, spelling mistakes and whether the details match the car
• Do all the electrical and safety systems and infotainment functions work?
• Is the gearbox (manual / automatic) shifting smoothly?
• Check how the car looks outside and inside — are there any signs of extensive repairs like mismatched colours or gaps in the panels?
• Is the spare wheel or tyre inflator/sealant kit in serviceable condition?

Buy.

When you’re ready to buy your used car, stay calm and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything in the small print. Remember you can stop the deal if you feel like you’re being pressured into paying too much or buying additional features.

Make sure you get the original (not a photocopy) of the log book (the V5C registration certificate) and the valid MOT test document. Never buy a car without the log book.

When buying a used car from a retailer, they’ll usually ask you to pay a deposit — usually a percentage of the overall sale price. Don’t pay a deposit until you’ve done your checks and are ready to buy the car.

Once you know you’re going to buy the car, take the time to make sure you’re using the payment method that works best for you.

If you pay by cash, there are no extra fees or interest but if something goes wrong with the car you won’t have the protection that you have if you buy using a card or on finance. You can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you have an unresolved complaint and have paid by debit card, credit card or using finance.

Problems with your used car?

If there’s something wrong with your used car, you might have a legal right to a repair, the cost of a repair, or some or all of your money back. This includes if it’s damaged, doesn’t work, or doesn’t match the advert or description you were given.

What you’re entitled to will depend on where you bought the car, and how long ago you bought it. Your rights are also different if you bought from a trader or an individual seller — you can use our online tool to find out what your rights are and the steps you need to take.

If you need more help, we’ve got advice on buying a used car as well as what to do if you’re having problems with a used car you’ve already bought.

You can also find test driving tips and a used car checklist on the AA website — and The Motor Ombudsman has also released a used car buying guide.