How to Buy a Used Car: A Practical Checklist

Start with a realistic budget

Decide what you can afford overall, not just the purchase price. Insurance, tax, fuel, servicing and the odd unexpected repair all add up, and a car in the lower end of your range is often wiser than one that stretches you to the limit.

Think about what you really need it for. A daily commute, school runs and a work van put different demands on a vehicle, and choosing the right size, fuel type and running costs from the outset avoids regret.

Write down your shortlist of makes and models before you start browsing. Reading owner reviews and checking for common known faults on each one will help you ask smarter questions when you meet the seller.

Check the history before you view

Before you travel to see a car, do a vehicle history check using the registration. It can reveal whether the vehicle has outstanding finance, has been recorded as stolen or written off, and whether the mileage records look consistent.

The official MOT history service is free to use and shows past test results, including advisories and failures, and recorded mileage at each test. A pattern of repeated advisories for the same item, or a sudden drop in mileage, is worth asking about.

Check the V5C and the seller

Ask to see the V5C registration certificate. The name and address should match the seller, and the details such as colour, engine size and the vehicle identification number should match the car in front of you. Be wary of a seller who does not have the V5C or who suggests that it is on its way.

Ask about the number of previous keepers, the service history and any receipts for work. A seller who is open about the car's past is a good sign, whereas vague answers deserve follow-up.

• Name and address on the V5C match the seller
• Vehicle identification number matches the car
• Service book or invoices to back up the history
• Two keys, where the car originally came with them

View it and drive it properly

See the car in daylight and dry weather if possible, since rain and darkness hide dents and paint flaws. Look at the tyres, panel gaps, door shuts and underneath, and check that all the electrics work. Start the engine from cold and listen to it.

On the test drive, try a mix of roads. Check the brakes pull evenly, the steering is steady, the gears change cleanly and no warning lights stay lit. If you are not confident judging mechanical condition, an independent inspection from a garage is a sensible step.

Paperwork and your rights

Get a written receipt that names the seller, the car and the price, and keep the handover paperwork safe, including the V5C new keeper section and any service records. Tell the DVLA about the change of keeper straight away.

If you buy from a motor trader, the Consumer Rights Act generally says the car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. Rights differ for private sales, where the main protection is that the car must match the description. Check the current official guidance, and do not treat this as legal advice.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we sell used vehicles that have been prepared and inspected, and you are welcome to ask us anything about the car you are interested in.

Do not feel pressured to decide on the day. A genuine seller will understand if you want to sleep on it, check the history once more, or have the car looked at by a mechanic. A sense of urgency created by the seller is itself a warning sign.

Frequently asked questions