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Free used car buying guides
Plain-English guides for UK buyers, written by the trade, for the customer. Every fact is checked against GOV.UK (including DVLA and DVSA services) or Citizens Advice, with links so you can check for yourself.
- How to check a used car's MOT historyThe free GOV.UK check, what it tells you, and how the trade reads between the lines.Read the guide →
- Questions to ask when buying a used car from a private sellerWhat to ask on the phone, before you waste a Saturday, and what the answers really mean.Read the guide →
- How to spot a clocked car in the UKUse the free MOT mileage record, the paperwork and the car itself to catch a false reading.Read the guide →
- What to check on a used car test driveInsurance first, then what to listen for, feel for and look for on the road.Read the guide →
- V5C log book checks when buying a used carThe watermark, the serial numbers, the VIN and the new keeper slip: what GOV.UK says to check.Read the guide →
- Buying a used EV or hybrid: what to checkWhat stays the same, what is different, and the extra questions to ask about battery and charging.Read the guide →
Buy It Right
The UK Used Car Buyer's Checklist · UK 2027 Edition
£3.49
These guides cover the basics. The full checklist covers the rest: the phone questions, the paperwork, the inspection in order, the test drive, negotiating and paying safely.
- 24-page PDF, instant download
- Petrol, diesel, hybrid and EV
- Private sellers and dealers
Written by the trade, for the customer.