Buying a used car
Practical guides to checking a used car before you buy.
Selling a Car Privately Safely in the UK
Private sellers get scammed as often as buyers. Fake transfers, test drive thefts and overpayment tricks all target people who just want a fair price.
22 October 2026
Head Gasket Failure Signs on a Used Car
A blown head gasket can turn a cheap car into scrap. The early signs show up in the coolant, the exhaust and sometimes the MOT history.
20 October 2026
Signs of a Failing Clutch on a Used Car
A worn clutch can cost over £1,000 to replace and sellers never mention it. Five minutes on a test drive tells you most of what you need to know.
15 October 2026
Buying a Used Hybrid Car: What to Check
A used hybrid can run for years on cheap fuel. Buy the wrong one and you inherit a tired battery, a stolen catalytic converter or a hard working life.
10 October 2026
Buying an Ex-Demo or Pre-Registered Car
Pre-registered and ex-demo cars can save thousands on a nearly new car. The catch sits in the warranty dates, the keeper count and how the car was driven.
6 October 2026
Can You Buy a Car That Is Still on Lease?
A leased car belongs to the leasing company, not the person selling it. Buy one by mistake and you can lose the car and every penny you paid.
1 October 2026
Buying a Used Car With Modifications
The previous owner declared none of it. That becomes your problem the moment you insure the car, and insurers check after a claim, not before.
29 September 2026
When Is a Cambelt Due and Why It Matters
A cambelt gives no warning. It does not squeal or slip. It snaps, and on most engines that is the end of the engine, not the belt.
20 September 2026
Your Rights Buying a Used Car From a Dealer
Thirty days to reject it outright. Six months where the dealer has to prove you wrong. Buy privately and almost none of that exists.
16 September 2026
Buying an Ex-Police Car: What to Check
Maintained better than almost anything on the road and driven harder than almost anything on the road. An ex-police car is both, and the price reflects it.
4 September 2026
Buying an Ex-Motability Car: What to Know
Three years old, low mileage, one keeper, full main dealer history. Ex-Motability cars look too good to be true. Mostly they are not.
31 August 2026
Buying a Used Car From Scotland or the North
The same ten year old car fails its MOT three times more often in Kirkcaldy than East London. Where a car has lived matters more than buyers think.
27 August 2026
Where Rust Hides on a Used Car
Rust does not start where you can see it. By the time a sill is bubbling the structure underneath has been going for years. Here is where to look.
23 August 2026
Buying an Ex-Fleet or Lease Car: What to Check
Buying an ex-fleet or lease car? Verify previous use, maintenance and condition instead of relying on keeper counts or motorway-mile claims.
8 August 2026
Buying an Ex-Driving School Car: What to Know
An ex-driving school car has had a thousand learners abuse its clutch. It has also had obsessive maintenance. Which one wins depends on what you check.
4 August 2026
How to Tell if a Used Car Was an Ex-Taxi
Ex-taxis get sold as ordinary family cars every day. The MOT record gives them away in seconds once you know which pattern to look for.
31 July 2026
Signs a Used Car Has Been Driven Hard
Two cars, same age, same mileage, and one is worth half the other. Learn the signs a used car has been driven hard before you pay for the bad one.
23 July 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
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
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
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
How to Spot a Flood Damaged Car Before You Buy
Flood damaged cars get dried out, valeted, and relisted. Some make it onto the market with no disclosed history. Here is what to look for and how to protect yourself.
9 May 2026
What Is a ULEZ Check and Why Does It Matter When Buying a Used Car?
A ULEZ check tells you whether a used car will trigger daily charges in an Ultra Low Emission Zone. Here is what to check before you buy.
8 May 2026
What Does a Car History Check Actually Show?
A car history check pulls data from multiple official databases. Here is exactly what it shows - and what it cannot tell you.
4 May 2026
What is a V5C Document and Why Does it Matter?
The V5C is the vehicle registration certificate. Here is what it contains, how to check it, and why a missing or cloned V5C is a serious warning sign.
3 May 2026
What is a Cherished Plate and Does it Affect Car History?
Cherished plates are personalised registrations transferred onto vehicles. They can hide a car's age and create gaps in its history. Here is what to watch for.
3 May 2026
What Checks Should You Run Before a Test Drive?
Most buyers test drive first and check later. That is the wrong order. Here is what to do before you get in the car.
3 May 2026
How to Buy a Used Car Safely in the UK
Buying used is simple when you follow the right steps. Here is the complete process from finding a car to handing over money safely.
3 May 2026
What Is a Car Keeper and Why Does Keeper History Matter?
The registered keeper is not always the owner. Here is what keeper history tells you about a used car, and the warning signs to look for before you buy.
24 April 2026
What Is GAP Insurance and Do You Need It?
GAP insurance covers the difference between what your insurer pays out and what you owe on finance. Here is when it makes sense and when to skip it.
20 April 2026
How to Check If a Car Has Been in an Accident UK
Accident history is not always disclosed. Here is how to check whether a car has been in an accident, even when the seller says nothing.
19 April 2026
How to Check a Car's Service History
A full service history adds value and peace of mind. Here is how to verify it is genuine and what to look for when it is missing or incomplete.
15 April 2026
How to Check If a Car Is Insured in the UK
Driving an uninsured car is illegal and expensive. Here is how to check if a car is insured in the UK, whether you are buying, lending, or have just been hit by someone.
11 April 2026
What Is a SORN Vehicle?
SORN means the vehicle has been declared off the road. Here is what it means when you see it on a car history check and whether it should concern you.
10 April 2026
What to Check Before Buying a Used Car UK
A practical checklist for anyone buying a used car privately or from a dealer in the UK. Do these checks in this order and you will not get burned.
8 April 2026
How Many Previous Owners Is Too Many?
The number of previous owners matters, but not in the way most people think. Here is how to read keeper history properly.
7 April 2026
What Is a Car Insurance Group and How Does It Affect Your Costs?
Every car in the UK is given an insurance group from 1 to 50. The higher the group, the more expensive to insure. Here is how it works and how to check before you buy.
28 March 2026
What Is a Logbook Loan and Why Is It Dangerous for Car Buyers?
A logbook loan uses the V5C as security. If the previous owner took one out and never paid it back, you could lose the car even after buying it fairly.
14 March 2026