What to Check Before Buying a Used Car
Three-year-old used cars can cost 50–60% less than new ones, but they often come with more risk. That’s why it’s essential to take your time and check everything thoroughly before committing your cash.
If you’re buying from a private seller, it’s especially difficult to undo a bad decision once you’ve paid.
Hidden damage or unpaid finance often shows up too late, and refunds or repairs aren’t always an option.
So, what should you check before handing over your money?
This guide helps you feel confident and in control.
We’ve broken the process into five clear steps, so you can cover the essentials without feeling overwhelmed.
The 5 Steps to Take Before Buying a Used Car
- Run a free online car check
- Get a detailed vehicle history report
- Review the car’s documents
- Do a simple, in-person inspection
- Take the car for a proper test drive
By following these steps, you reduce the risk of buying a car with legal, safety, or mechanical problems.
Give yourself the best chance of owning something reliable and worth the money.
What our Used Car Data Shows
From our internal data:
- 1 in 3 used cars has a hidden history
- 1 in 3 still carry active finance
- 1 in 15 shows a mileage discrepancy
These are the kinds of issues you want to uncover before you buy, not after.
Review our 5 steps and increase your chances of buying a good used car.
Related reading: Check our latest buyers guide to a Second Hand Car Purchase.
Step 1 – Run a Free Online Check
What can you learn from a free car check?
Before arranging viewings or contacting sellers, it’s wise to start with a free car check.
This gives you a quick snapshot of the vehicle’s identity, legal status, and roadworthiness, so you can decide whether it’s worth pursuing.
CarVeto’s free check uses the registration number to pull verified UK vehicle data in seconds. It’s fast, accurate, and completely free to use.
While the free check gives you a quick overview, it doesn’t include deeper issues like outstanding finance, theft status, or mileage discrepancies.
For that, you’ll need a full history check, covered in Step 2.
What to Check Online for Free
A free online car check reveals key vehicle details, often enough to rule a car in or out before committing your time or energy.
Identity and Specs
- Vehicle make and model
- Body type and engine size
- Year of manufacture and fuel type
- Colour and transmission type
Legal and Road Status
- MOT status and expiry date
- Road tax status (taxed, untaxed, or SORN)
- Road tax cost (based on CO2 emissions and fuel type)
- V5C logbook issue date
- Whether the car is marked as exported or scrapped
- ULEZ and emissions compliance
- Insurance status (via askMID)
Why This Step Matters
This is your first filter, a chance to spot potential red flags before you invest time or money.
If the car is untaxed, shows signs of export or scrappage, or the logbook issue date doesn’t line up, it may not be worth the risk.
The road tax cost also gives a quick insight into long-term running costs, especially helpful when comparing several vehicles.
A UK Free Car Check doesn’t tell you everything, but it helps you avoid obvious problems before booking viewings or arranging inspections.
Check a used car you are buying
Enter the registration number and verify history
Step 2 – Get a Premium Vehicle History Check
What does a full vehicle history check show?
Once the car passes the free check, the next step is to get a full vehicle history report before booking a viewing.
This gives you a deeper look into the car’s background, ownership history, and risks that aren't visible from the outside.
CarVeto’s premium check pulls verified data from trusted UK sources, including Experian, the Police National Computer (PNC), DVLA, and MIAFTR.
It helps uncover legal, financial, and identity risks, many of which private sellers may not disclose or even be aware of.
What’s Included in a Full Check
A premium car check reveals serious issues that could cost you thousands if overlooked.
Financial & Legal Data
- Outstanding finance or PCP agreements
- Logbook loans linked to the vehicle
- Stolen vehicle status (PNC alerts)
- Insurance write-offs (Cat A, B, C, D, S, N via MIAFTR)
Learn more about Checking if a Car is Stolen.
Identity History
- Number plate changes and registration history
- Mileage discrepancies (from MOT and third-party sources like the RMI)
- Signs of vehicle cloning or VIN tampering
Read our guide to a car VIN.
Why Run This Before Viewing
Don’t waste time or money travelling to see a car that isn’t what it seems.
A full history check protects you from fraud, hidden finance, and past damage, long before you view the vehicle.
It can also give you the leverage to negotiate a price or the confidence to walk away.
For most buyers, this step is the difference between a smart purchase and a costly mistake.
Step 3 – Review Key Documents in Person
What documents should you check when viewing a used car?
This is the first time you’ll verify the car and the seller in person. Even if the car looks great, the paperwork must back it up.
If the documents don’t match what you found in your online checks, or the seller’s story feels off, it’s time to walk away.
Before committing to anything, including a test drive, ask to see all relevant documents and review them thoroughly.
These records confirm ownership, history, and trustworthiness.
What to Ask For and Check
A genuine seller will have these documents ready and in order.
Use them to cross-check against your CarVeto reports and online research.
✅ V5C Logbook (Vehicle Registration Certificate)
- The seller’s name and address should be listed
- The issue date should match your online check
- The address should match where you’re viewing the car
🔒 Pro tip: Only meet sellers at the V5C-registered address. This protects against scams, cloned vehicles, and untraceable sales.
🛠️ Service History
- Look for regular servicing (typically every 10k–12k miles or annually)
- Check for major work: timing belt (cam belt), clutch, brakes
- Review receipts or dealer stamps for authenticity
⚠️ Missing Service History isn’t always a dealbreaker, but it makes the car harder to value and more of a gamble.
📄 Supporting Documents
- MOT certificates (even if history is available online, it adds transparency)
- Owner’s manual and book packs
- Spare key (these cost £100–£300 to replace)
Conduct a free MOT History Check.
Why This Step Matters
Documents don’t just confirm ownership, they reveal how well the car’s been looked after and whether the seller is being transparent.
🚩 If a seller can’t show the V5C, avoids questions about the history, or offers vague answers, walk away.
Good paperwork builds trust. No paperwork? No deal.
Step 4 – Do a Physical Vehicle Inspection
What should you check when inspecting a used car?
Once the documents are checked out, it’s time to inspect the vehicle itself.
This is your chance to spot issues that won’t show up in a report, problems that could cost hundreds or even thousands down the line.
Whether you inspect it yourself or hire a professional, this is one of the most important steps before buying.
DIY or Use a Car Inspection Service
There are two ways to approach a vehicle inspection:
🧰 DIY Inspection
Ideal if you're comfortable checking the car's condition yourself, including bodywork, tyres, warning lights, and general wear.
👨🔧 Professional Inspection
Best if you're unsure, buying from a distance, or want added peace of mind.
CarVeto partners with ClickMechanic, a UK-wide mobile inspection service.
A vetted mechanic visits the seller’s location and provides a detailed vehicle report, including a road test and ECU diagnostic scan (if requested).
DIY Visual Checklist
Even a basic visual check can uncover serious concerns. Don’t let the seller rush you. Take your time.
🔍 Outside the Car:
- Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint
- Rust spots, bubbling paint, dents or scratches
- Tyre condition and tread depth
- Suspension sag or uneven ride height
🛠 Under the Bonnet:
- Oil or coolant leaks
- Damaged wiring or worn belts
- Low or contaminated fluid levels (oil, brake, coolant)
🪑 Inside the Car:
- All dashboard lights should illuminate at ignition, then turn off after starting
- Test switches, wipers, lights, mirrors, windows
- Check for signs of abuse: seat wear, smells, stains, broken trim or screens
⚠️ If something looks or feels wrong, it probably is. Trust your instincts, and don’t feel pressured to buy.
Third-Party Vehicle Inspections
If you’re not confident in inspecting the car yourself, book a professional pre-purchase inspection.
CarVeto’s inspection service includes:
- Same or next-day booking
- 86–185 point inspection options
- Road test and underside check (Premium tier)
- ECU diagnostic scan
- Photos and phone consultation with the mechanic
This helps avoid costly surprises like hidden engine faults, suspension damage, or ignored warning lights, especially with high-value or unfamiliar vehicles.
Professional, pre-purchase inspections cost from as little as £79.
Learn more about a Car Inspection Service Before Buying.
Use an Inspection Checklist
To stay organised and focused, use our printable inspection checklist.
✅ Download the used car inspection checklist
It’s easy to forget essential checks, especially when viewing a car under time pressure. Bring the list with you and make notes during the inspection.
Step 5 – Take a Test Drive
What should you look for and listen to when test-driving a used car?
The test drive is your final filter, a chance to confirm how the car performs and how the seller behaves.
The vehicle might look perfect on paper, but how it drives will tell the whole story.
If the car drives poorly, feels wrong, or the seller seems evasive, take it as your signal to walk away.
What to Watch and Feel For
Choose a quiet route and take your time. The seller shouldn’t rush or control the drive.
This is your final chance to check for problems.
🚘 Driving Quality
- Clutch & Gears: Slipping, grinding, or difficulty changing gear
- Brakes: Delayed stopping, vibration, or pulling to one side
- Steering & Suspension: Knocking noises, vague feel, or drifting
- Dashboard Lights: All warning lights should illuminate at ignition, then switch off after starting
Listen carefully for any strange noises and notice how the car handles bumps, turns, and sudden stops.
Seller Behaviour: Red Flags to Watch For
The seller’s attitude can reveal as much as the car. Look out for:
🚩 Pressure to rush or skip steps
🚩 Vague or inconsistent answers
🚩 Refusal to let you test drive
🚩 Reluctance to meet at the V5C-registered address
🚩 Changing story compared to the listing or vehicle check
If the seller is evasive, controlling, or changes key details, don’t ignore it.
Final Warnings
Never hand over a deposit or payment before completing all five steps, especially in private sales.
If anything feels off, from the test drive to the conversation, it’s fine to walk away.
There’s always another car. The goal is to buy smart, not fast.
What to Look Out for When Buying a Used Car
Red flags that signal it’s time to walk away.
Spotting red flags early is one of the most important parts of buying a used car.
These issues often show up during viewings or when reviewing documents, and they’re among the most common causes of buyer regret.
Here are five signs to look for:
🚩 5 Red Flags That Signal a Risk
1. The seller won’t meet at the V5C logbook address
If they avoid meeting at the car’s registered location, it could mean the car isn’t legally theirs to sell.
2. The logbook (V5C) has been recently issued
A new logbook can indicate a change of identity, cloning, or an attempt to cover up the car’s past.
3. There’s no service history at all
Missing records might suggest mileage tampering, skipped maintenance, or unresolved mechanical problems.
4. The seller is overly pushy or evasive
If they avoid your questions, rush the process, or discourage inspections, it’s a strong sign to step away.
5. The car doesn’t match the ad or your vehicle checks
Any mismatch between the listing, what you see in person, or your CarVeto report points to a potential hidden issue.
💡 Tip: These aren’t just red flags — they’re deal-breakers. If you spot one, walk away. There are always better vehicles out there.
Should I Buy a Car from a Private Seller or Dealer?
Understanding the trade-off between price and protection.
A key decision when buying a used car is whether to buy from a private seller or a dealer.
Each option has advantages and trade-offs.
The right choice depends on your budget, risk tolerance, and your comfort level with vehicle checks and paperwork.
🧾 Quick Comparison
Feature | Private Seller | Dealer |
|---|---|---|
Price | Often lower | Usually higher (retail) |
Legal protection | Limited | Covered by the Consumer Rights Act |
Returns/refund | Rare to impossible | Possible if faults are found |
Vehicle prep | Sold "as is" | Usually serviced and cleaned |
Paperwork support | Minimal | Usually well organised |
Sales pressure | Lower | Can be high |
Trust factor | Varies by seller | More predictable (regulated) |
👍 Best For:
- Private sellers: Budget-focused buyers, experienced checkers, and those buying lower-value vehicles
- Dealers: First-time buyers, those who want warranty options, or anyone who prefers easier paperwork and fallback protection
💡 Final Thought
If you're buying privately, you’ll need to be extra thorough with your checks, especially the vehicle’s history for revealing hidden accident damage, documentation, and how it drives.
Read more on What is a Car Write-Off?
Buying from a dealer usually costs more, but comes with stronger legal protections and often a smoother process.
FAQs – Buying a Used Car Safely
No, distance buying is not recommended. You should not buy a used car without seeing it in person.
Viewing the vehicle allows you to confirm its condition, match the paperwork, and carry out a test drive, all vital steps before committing to purchase.
The most common hidden issue when buying a used car is outstanding finance. Many vehicles are still under finance agreements, meaning the lender technically owns the car.
Odometer fraud and mileage discrepancies are also frequent.
A CarVeto check is similar to an HPI check but includes extra data.
Both checks reveal finance, write-off status, and theft, but CarVeto adds information like V5C issue dates and service record alerts for deeper insight.
Yes, a test drive is essential when buying a used car. It helps reveal mechanical faults, unusual handling, and performance issues, none of which are visible in online checks or documents.
When buying privately, ask why the seller is selling, how long they’ve owned the vehicle, and whether they have full documentation. Make sure the V5C logbook matches their name and home address.
Use our Car Owner Check to verify the seller's details.
When buying from a dealer, ask about the warranty, past ownership, service history, and any prior accidents.
Dealers are legally required to disclose known issues, but you should still request supporting documents.
To check for outstanding finance, run a premium vehicle history check. Services like CarVeto pull finance data from official lenders and databases to confirm if the car is legally clear to buy.
No, you should not buy a car without the V5C logbook. This document confirms legal ownership and registration. Without it, you risk buying a stolen, cloned, or incorrectly registered vehicle.
Look at DVLA Car Details before you commit to spending your money.
To find out the car tax for a vehicle, use a free vehicle check service like CarVeto. Car tax is based on the car’s emissions and registration year, and it affects your long-term running costs.
Use our free Car Tax and Emissions Check.
To notify the DVLA about an ownership change, fill out section 6 of the V5C or use the GOV.UK online service. The seller should complete this, but you must confirm it’s done before taking the car.
Get more information on Changing Ownership of a Car.
Checks before buying a used car help you avoid costly problems, legal disputes, or scams.
Verifying ownership, running a history check, and inspecting the car in person protects you from financial and safety risks. They ensure you’re making a smart, informed purchase.