Used Car Buying Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before You Buy

Buying a used car is the second biggest purchase most people make — and the one they're most likely to get wrong. Nearly one in four UK used car buyers experiences a problem within weeks of purchase.

This checklist will save you from joining that statistic.

Before You Even View the Car

1. Run the numbers through a cost simulator

Before falling in love with a car on AutoTrader, run it through our simulator. Enter the make, model, year, mileage, and asking price. You'll get:

• P50 repair projection — what you'll likely spend on repairs over 3 years
• Market valuation — whether the asking price is fair
• Total cost of ownership — fuel, insurance, tax, servicing, repairs

If the P90 (worst case) repair cost plus the purchase price exceeds your budget, walk away.

2. Check the MOT history

Free on GOV.UK. Look for:

• Mileage consistency — does it go up steadily each year? Gaps or drops = clocking
• Recurring advisories — the same advisory 3 years running means it's never been fixed
• Failure patterns — suspension failures + brake failures = probably been driven hard

3. Do a vehicle history check

£10-20 from HPI, TotalCarCheck, or similar. Checks for:

• Outstanding finance (the finance company owns it, not the seller)
• Insurance write-off history
• Stolen vehicle flag
• Plate changes (sometimes used to hide history)

At the Viewing

4. Go in daylight, on dry ground

Rain hides paint defects. Darkness hides everything. Always view in daylight on a dry day.

5. Check panel gaps and paint

Run your finger along panel gaps. Uneven gaps or mismatched paint = accident repair. Look at the car from each end along the bodywork — ripples and waves mean filler.

6. Tyres tell the truth

• Uneven wear on fronts = alignment or suspension problem
• Different brands on the same axle = owner cuts corners
• Near-legal tread = you'll need new tyres immediately (£60-120 each)

7. Cold start it

Ask the seller not to warm the car up. A cold engine reveals:

• Rough idle = coil packs, injectors, or compression issues
• Blue smoke = oil burning (valve stem seals or piston rings)
• White smoke that persists = head gasket (expensive)
• Rattling on startup = timing chain stretch

8. Check all electrics

Start the car and check every button, switch, and screen:

• All windows up and down
• Air conditioning (should blow cold within 30 seconds)
• Heated seats, mirrors, rear screen
• Infotainment and Bluetooth
• All dashboard warning lights should go off after startup

9. Test drive properly

At least 20 minutes covering:

• Town driving (clutch feel, low-speed manoeuvrability)
• Dual carriageway (vibrations at speed, wind noise, tracking)
• Braking (should be straight, no judder, no pulling)
• Gearbox (every gear, including reverse)
• Listen for knocks over bumps (suspension components)

10. Look underneath

Use your phone torch. Check for:

• Oil leaks (dark wet patches on the engine or gearbox)
• Rust (especially subframes, sills, and wheel arches)
• Fresh underseal (sometimes used to hide rust)
• Exhaust condition (holes, corrosion)

The Numbers

11. Compare the asking price to market value

Use our vehicle valuation tool or check AutoTrader sold prices. If it's significantly below market value, ask why. Cheap cars are cheap for a reason.

12. Factor in the first-year costs

Your true cost isn't the purchase price. It's:

• Purchase price
• Insurance (get a quote before you view)
• Road tax (check on GOV.UK)
• First service
• Any advisories from the last MOT that need fixing
• P50 repair projection from our simulator

13. Get an independent inspection

AA and RAC offer pre-purchase inspections (£100-200). Worth every penny on any car over £3,000. They check everything you'll miss.

Paperwork

14. V5C logbook checks

• Is the seller's name on the V5C?
• Does the address match where you're viewing?
• Does the VIN on the V5C match the car's VIN plate?

15. Payment

• Never pay by bank transfer to someone you've just met
• Cash is risky (robbery target)
• Bank draft or building society cheque is safest
• Buying from a dealer gives you Consumer Rights Act protection

Model-Specific Checks

Every car has its known weak points. Before viewing any specific model, check its profile on whatbreaks:

• Browse all vehicles — find your model's known failure modes
• Run a simulation — see the repair cost projection for your exact car

A 5-minute check could save you thousands.