Guides & Advice
Car Buying Advice & Vehicle Check Guides: page 3
MOT history, finance, write-offs and what to check before buying a used car.
The 66,000 Mile Car That Had Really Done 250,000
A buyer nearly paid thousands for a car with fake mileage: advertised at 66,000, actual reading 250,000. One question saved him. Here it is.
29 June 2026
Facebook Marketplace Car Scams: £480,000 Gone in 9 Months
Facebook Marketplace car scams cost UK buyers £479,964 in nine months. The cars never existed. Here is how the scam works and how to beat it.
27 June 2026
Written Off Cars Are Being Resold With No Inspection
Written off cars can be repaired and resold in the UK with no independent inspection. Autocar's investigation shows how big the gap really is.
25 June 2026
The Van Dealer Who Made £20,000 Rolling Back Odometers
A van trader made £20,000 clocking six vans before their first MOT. Here is how the mileage fraud worked and how to avoid buying a clocked van.
23 June 2026
Buying a Grey Import Used Car: What Is Missing From Its UK History
A grey import can be cheap and a lot of car, but its UK history only starts the day it landed. Here is what is missing and what to check before you buy.
23 June 2026
Buying a Used Car at Auction: The Risks and What You Cannot Check
Auction cars can be cheap, but they are sold as seen with no test drive and little comeback. Here are the real risks and the checks you can and cannot do before you bid.
21 June 2026
Can You Drive Without an MOT, and When Does an MOT Run Out?
Driving without a valid MOT is illegal, with a few narrow exceptions. Here is the law, the penalties, the insurance risk, and how to check any car's MOT expiry free.
14 June 2026
How to Check if a Car Is Stolen in the UK Before You Buy
You cannot tell a stolen car by looking at it. Here is how to actually check if a car is stolen before you buy, which registers hold the data, and what to do if it flags.
7 June 2026
EV Battery Leasing: Does the Car Actually Own Its Battery?
EV battery leasing separates the car from battery ownership. Confirm the contract, transfer terms and evidence before buying.
31 May 2026
How to Check a Used EV's Battery Health Before You Buy
A used EV is only worth what its battery is worth. Here is how to check battery State of Health, what the numbers mean, and what no history check can tell you.
24 May 2026
What Is a Mileage Check and Why Does It Matter?
A mileage check cross-references MOT records to spot clocking. Here is what it shows, how mileage fraud works in the UK, and why a discrepancy is a serious red flag.
16 May 2026
Can You Sell a Car With Finance on It?
Selling a car with outstanding finance without settling it first is illegal. Here is what the law says, what happens to the buyer, and how to do it properly.
16 May 2026
Flood Damaged Car History: Why the Data Trail Usually Goes Cold
Flood damage almost never appears on a car's official history. Here is why the data trail fails, how insurers handle flood total losses differently, and what that means for buyers.
15 May 2026
Importing a Car From Europe: The Risks UK Buyers Don't Factor In
Buying a car imported from Europe carries registration, specification, and history risks that UK-registered cars do not. Here is what to check before you buy.
13 May 2026
DPF Delete: Why It Is Illegal and What It Costs Buyers
A DPF delete is illegal on UK roads and will void your insurance. Here is what the DPF does, why some owners remove it, how to spot it, and why you should never buy a car with one.
12 May 2026
Category A Write-Off: What It Means and Why These Cars Must Stay Off the Road
A category A write-off must be crushed entirely. No parts, no repairs, no road use. Here is what Cat A means, how it differs from other categories, and why these cars still appear on the market.
11 May 2026
What Is Hire Purchase Car Finance and What Are the Risks?
Hire purchase lets you spread the cost of a car over fixed monthly payments, but you do not own it until the last payment is made. That matters a lot when buying used.
10 May 2026
What Does Mileage Discrepancy Mean on a Car History Check?
A mileage discrepancy on a car history check means the recorded odometer readings do not follow a consistent upward path. Here is what it means and what to do.
10 May 2026