Buyer's Guides
History and paperwork
Test drive or stuffy paperwork? We know which we'd rather be doing, but the small print is important.
Any seller, dealer or private, not willing to show documents should be avoided like a rabid pitbull.
First off, if the car's more than three-years old, it must have an MoT certificate to prove it can start, steer and stop.
Any seller, dealer or private, not willing to show documents should be avoided like a rabid pitbull.
First off, if the car's more than three-years old, it must have an MoT certificate to prove it can start, steer and stop.
Check the MoT has raised lettering where it's been stamped by the test station, and that the mileage on the certificate tallies with that shown on the car.
The V5 should be present and correct. It proves ownership of the car. Take a good look at it and check the following:
Are the details correct? If not, walk away
How many previous owners are there?
Call the most recent one and ask them to verify the car's history
Check the engine and chassis numbers match those on the car
Remember - if you have even the slightest doubt, leg it.
A full service history is ideal, with a service book crammed with dealer stamps. Don't panic if this isn't present with older cars, but ask for receipts to prove any claimed recent work has been done - and phone the garage to check.
Use one of the car history check companies to make sure the car is not a write-off or still subject to someone else's finance deal. You can lose the car and your money if either of these nightmares comes true.
Don't forget to check your insurance - or the seller's - before you test-drive the car. No point getting nicked before you've even bought it.
The V5 should be present and correct. It proves ownership of the car. Take a good look at it and check the following:
A full service history is ideal, with a service book crammed with dealer stamps. Don't panic if this isn't present with older cars, but ask for receipts to prove any claimed recent work has been done - and phone the garage to check.
Use one of the car history check companies to make sure the car is not a write-off or still subject to someone else's finance deal. You can lose the car and your money if either of these nightmares comes true.
Don't forget to check your insurance - or the seller's - before you test-drive the car. No point getting nicked before you've even bought it.