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Contacting the seller
Your first contact with a seller can reveal a lot of valuable information about the car, so it’s important you ask the right questions.
• Ask thorough questions about the car, its past and its condition
• Arrange to view a private sale at the seller’s house, and a trade sale at their premises
• Always view the car in daylight, and preferably when it’s dry to make it easier to spot damage
Inspecting a used car
You don’t need to be a mechanic to inspect a used car, but there are a few golden rules.
• Get a car history check to establish if the car has any outstanding finance, has been stolen or written off
• Examine the car’s documents – logbook, service history and previous MOT certificates – to spot if the car has been clocked
• Check the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at the base of the windscreen, under the bonnet and stamped into the chassis under the carpet beside the driver’s seat for signs of tampering, and make sure they match the VIN recorded in the logbook
• Look for rust, mismatched paint and uneven gaps between body panels
• Make sure all the car’s features work
• By reading key documents including the V5C (logbook), service history and MOT certificates then checking key points around the car, you will be able to quickly assess if the vehicle you are viewing is as described in its advert
Test driving a car
The test drive is your chance to asses every aspect of the car, from how it feels on the road, to making sure all its equipment works correctly.
• Always take a test drive of at least 15 minutes and on different types of road
• Arrange suitable insurance cover before you drive the car
• Start the car when the engine is cold, and check for excessive smoke and unusual noises
• Check the gears, brakes, steering and suspension work as they should, with no unusual noises and vibrations
Doing the paperwork
A car’s paperwork is essential and provides information on the history and ownership of the car, so you should check it thoroughly.
• Check all paperwork looks and feels genuine – photocopies and print outs could be fake
• Ensure the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) recorded in the logbook matches the ones displayed in the car, and the address and recorded keeper’s information tallies with the person selling the car
• Examine the service history to make sure the recorded mileage is in line with the mileage displayed in the car, and that regular maintenance has been carried out
• Cars over three years old should be supplied with a valid MOT – check old MOT certificates to verify the car’s mileage, and contact the garage that completed the MOT test if you’re unsure
• Make sure the buyer writes a receipt for you both
• Complete the new keeper parts of the v5C (logbook) and ensure it’s sent to the DVLA
Autotrader
Returning a second hand car
If there's a problem with a second hand car soon after you've bought it, for example, the car develops a problem you wouldn't expect for the car's age and mileage, or it turns out not to be what you’d been led to expect, you may have the right to reject and return the car and get your money back.
But you only have a reasonable time to reject a second hand car. While there's no clear definition of what a reasonable time is – it probably needs to be within three to four weeks – less if it's an obvious problem.
And if you reject a second hand car you must stop using it.
Second hand car from a dealer
When you buy a second hand car from a dealer, you have the right, under the Sale of Goods Act, to expect the car to:
If the second hand car does not meet these requirements, you have a right to claim against the dealer for breach of contract.
If something you buy is not 'as described', or if the seller is guilty of misrepresentation, you are entitled to:
Give the second hand car back and get your money back, or if you want to keep the car, ask for compensation (usually the cost of any repairs it needs)
But, if you buy a second hand car that was not described as being in excellent condition or good working order, and it breaks soon after you buy it, you don't have any right to reject it, or to claim compensation.
Which
Should you buy a used car?
Buying a used car means you can save a lot of money. However, used cars are often more expensive to maintain and you run greater risks of being misled. You should think through the benefits and drawbacks of buying a used car before you decide whether it is right for you.
There are advantages to buying a used car:
There are drawbacks to buying a used car:
Advice Guide
Your first contact with a seller can reveal a lot of valuable information about the car, so it’s important you ask the right questions.
• Ask thorough questions about the car, its past and its condition
• Arrange to view a private sale at the seller’s house, and a trade sale at their premises
• Always view the car in daylight, and preferably when it’s dry to make it easier to spot damage
Inspecting a used car
You don’t need to be a mechanic to inspect a used car, but there are a few golden rules.
• Get a car history check to establish if the car has any outstanding finance, has been stolen or written off
• Examine the car’s documents – logbook, service history and previous MOT certificates – to spot if the car has been clocked
• Check the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at the base of the windscreen, under the bonnet and stamped into the chassis under the carpet beside the driver’s seat for signs of tampering, and make sure they match the VIN recorded in the logbook
• Look for rust, mismatched paint and uneven gaps between body panels
• Make sure all the car’s features work
• By reading key documents including the V5C (logbook), service history and MOT certificates then checking key points around the car, you will be able to quickly assess if the vehicle you are viewing is as described in its advert
Test driving a car
The test drive is your chance to asses every aspect of the car, from how it feels on the road, to making sure all its equipment works correctly.
• Always take a test drive of at least 15 minutes and on different types of road
• Arrange suitable insurance cover before you drive the car
• Start the car when the engine is cold, and check for excessive smoke and unusual noises
• Check the gears, brakes, steering and suspension work as they should, with no unusual noises and vibrations
Doing the paperwork
A car’s paperwork is essential and provides information on the history and ownership of the car, so you should check it thoroughly.
• Check all paperwork looks and feels genuine – photocopies and print outs could be fake
• Ensure the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) recorded in the logbook matches the ones displayed in the car, and the address and recorded keeper’s information tallies with the person selling the car
• Examine the service history to make sure the recorded mileage is in line with the mileage displayed in the car, and that regular maintenance has been carried out
• Cars over three years old should be supplied with a valid MOT – check old MOT certificates to verify the car’s mileage, and contact the garage that completed the MOT test if you’re unsure
• Make sure the buyer writes a receipt for you both
• Complete the new keeper parts of the v5C (logbook) and ensure it’s sent to the DVLA
Autotrader
Returning a second hand car
If there's a problem with a second hand car soon after you've bought it, for example, the car develops a problem you wouldn't expect for the car's age and mileage, or it turns out not to be what you’d been led to expect, you may have the right to reject and return the car and get your money back.
But you only have a reasonable time to reject a second hand car. While there's no clear definition of what a reasonable time is – it probably needs to be within three to four weeks – less if it's an obvious problem.
And if you reject a second hand car you must stop using it.
Second hand car from a dealer
When you buy a second hand car from a dealer, you have the right, under the Sale of Goods Act, to expect the car to:
- Be of satisfactory quality (taking into account its age and mileage)
- Meet any description given to you when you were buying it ( whether in the advert or in discussions prior to sale)
- Be fit for the purpose (for example, to get you from A to B safely).
If the second hand car does not meet these requirements, you have a right to claim against the dealer for breach of contract.
If something you buy is not 'as described', or if the seller is guilty of misrepresentation, you are entitled to:
Give the second hand car back and get your money back, or if you want to keep the car, ask for compensation (usually the cost of any repairs it needs)
But, if you buy a second hand car that was not described as being in excellent condition or good working order, and it breaks soon after you buy it, you don't have any right to reject it, or to claim compensation.
Which
Should you buy a used car?
Buying a used car means you can save a lot of money. However, used cars are often more expensive to maintain and you run greater risks of being misled. You should think through the benefits and drawbacks of buying a used car before you decide whether it is right for you.
There are advantages to buying a used car:
- It will be cheaper than a brand new version of the same model
- For the same money as a brand new car, you might be able to buy a better equipped or more powerful version of the model you want by opting for a used model
- You won’t have to worry as much about it losing its value (depreciation). If you buy a car that is one year old, you will have missed out on the biggest fall in value that happens in the first 12 months
- You can buy used cars privately as well as from dealers, giving you more options.
There are drawbacks to buying a used car:
- A used car may not come with a warranty, although you will still have rights as a consumer if it turns out to be faulty. You can also buy warranties from independent providers for a few hundred pounds
- A used car may be more likely to develop problems from wear and tear or cost more to run and maintain
- You may not be able to get any special offers on a used car
- You can’t choose the specification of your car like you can with a new car
- There is a greater risk that you might be misled in some way – people have been known to buy used cars that are still on hire purchase or have been stolen.
Advice Guide
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