How to buy a used car: tips for buying second-hand cars

The UK is packed to the brim with used cars. According to official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), more than two million exchanged owners during the first quarter of 2025.

For many, buying a used car is the most cost effective way to get behind the wheel of a dependable model; however, it can also be a stressful experience.

As well as choosing the right model to buy used, buyers will need to decide where they purchase the car from and inspect it thoroughly to reduce the risk of being scammed or forced to spend a fortune on unexpected repair bills. 

Fortunately, What Car? is at hand to help you find a high-quality used car at a reasonable price. Here, we’ll share the pros and cons of buying a used car from a private seller, dealer and auction, and the many things you should check before deciding whether to buy.

Where should I buy a used car?

Used cars can be found in a surprisingly large number of places, but the types of model up for sale, the condition they’re in and the after-sales support you’ll receive differ considerably depending on where you go. 

Approved used dealerships

Many main car dealerships will stock a range of ‘approved used’ models. These cars were traded in by customers who bought a new car and typically undergo an extensive inspection before they are put on sale to make sure they meet the manufacturer’s approval. Many dealerships also have eligibility criteria each car must meet in order to go on sale, meaning most models will be no more than five years old, have a low mileage and just one or two previous owners.

The stringent requirements and thorough inspection means approved used cars are often some of the best pre-owned models on the market. However, since the standards are very high, these cars are typically more expensive than the equivalent model being sold elsewhere.

In our last study of approved used car schemes, Volkswagen came out on top, offering their pre-owned models with a 24-month warranty, a 30-day/1000-mile no quibble exchange policy and five days of free Volkswagen Drive Away insurance. The company’s approved used models also undergo a 142-point check, which assesses the mileage and service history.

Independent used car dealerships

One of the most traditional ways of buying second-hand, used car dealerships usually offer a wide range of vehicles in one place. Some used dealerships will specialise in a particular manufacturer’s models; however, most will stock different car types to suit the requirements and budgets of all buyers.

The models sold by many used car dealerships will be inspected and prepared before going on sale, meaning they are often in good condition. Moreover, most dealers will be able to offer financing options to help you afford the car you’re looking for, and many also feature a short warranty, typically lasting between three and 12 months, to offer further peace of mind to buyers.

That said, you should still take care when buying a used car from a dealership of any kind. Before visiting, look up the dealership’s name online and read the reviews from previous customers on reputable platforms such as Trustpilot. Also check to see that the dealership is accredited by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or is approved by a reputable motoring organisation like the AA or RAC. These accreditations mean that the dealer has been inspected and meets the standards of a respected authority.

If the dealer seems trustworthy, check whether their cars are advertised online and only visit if they have a specific model you might be interested in. Knowing what you’re after will help to prevent the salesperson trying to ‘upsell’ you into a more expensive model you don’t really want.

Private sellers

Alternatively, you can always buy a car directly from its current owner. Privately sold used cars are often cheaper than counterparts available from dealerships because there’s no middleman involved. This makes buying privately especially useful for drivers looking for a car on a limited budget. Private sales also allow you to meet the car’s current owner, which can often help you get an idea of how it’s been cared for.

Privately sold used cars are typically advertised on online retail sites, such as Auto Trader, for a pre-determined asking price or auctions, in which potential buyers make bids within a certain period of time. Some social media platforms also allow users to advertise cars for sale, like Facebook Marketplace. 

Nevertheless, buying a used car privately is not without its risks. Most notably, private sellers aren’t able to offer any kind of guarantee that the car won’t go wrong after you buy it, meaning you’ll have to fund any repairs yourself. Similarly, private sellers aren’t always as good at spotting issues as trained used car salespeople, meaning it’s down to you to thoroughly check the condition of the vehicle before you decide whether or not to buy it. As a result, it’s always a good idea to thoroughly check the car in person before deciding to buy, even if you have the option to purchase it online.

Car auctions

Auctions are seen by many as being one of the riskiest places to buy a used car; however, with a bit of know-how, you can drive away in a solid model for significantly less money than it would cost elsewhere.

Many auctioneers will allow you to make a bid in person or online. While online auctions should feature comprehensive descriptions of each car going under the hammer, we would always recommend visiting the auction house in person so that you can give any models you are interested in a thorough inspection before making a bid.

Most auction sites will list all of the vehicles on their website before the auction takes place and, on the day, allow buyers to look around them. It’s important to use this time wisely and decide which cars are worth bidding on and, in particular, the maximum amount you’re willing to pay.

When bidding begins, the auctioneer will introduce each car and start by asking for a starting bid. If this bid is met, they will then increase the fee, usually in increments of £100 or £200. To avoid confusion, it’s best to maintain eye contact with the auctioneer and clearly raise your hand or paddle each time you want to make a bid. 

Don’t forget that, if you make the winning bid, you’ll also have to pay a buyer’s fee, which will typically be about 4 to 6% of the winning bid. This is a fairly minimal fee on top of older, less-valuable cars but could add a considerable amount if you’re buying something more expensive. To avoid an unexpected bill taking you by surprise, it’s best to find out what the buyer’s fee is before the auction begins.

What should I check when looking at a used car?

No matter where you buy a used car from, it should be thoroughly checked to make sure its condition matches your expectations. The more scrupulous you are during a viewing, the less likely it is you’ll encounter unexpected problems later down the line.

Check the history

One of the most important things to do when buying any kind of used car is to look at its history via an online service such as gov.uk/check-mot-history. By entering the car’s number plate into one of these websites, you’ll be able to see information, such as the vehicle’s engine and date of registration, along with previous MOT results, including the recorded mileage and any advisories.

For a small fee, many companies also offer more comprehensive history checks which will tell you whether the car in question has previously been written off, has outstanding finance or has been reported stolen. As a result, a quick check can easily identify whether a used car has had a worse history than the seller claims.

Speak to the seller

Whether you’re thinking about buying from a private seller or dealer, it’s a good idea to give them a call to discuss the car before you decide whether to see it. To get a better idea of the car’s condition, ask specific questions about whether there are any dents, scratches or rust patches on the bodywork, if all the electrical components are in full working order, and when it was last serviced.

If the car is being advertised by a private seller, always start by saying you’re interested in ‘the car’, rather than the specific model. This can help to identify any traders posing as private sellers. It’s also worth asking a private driver why they decided to put their car up for sale.

Look at the documents

When viewing the car, always ask the seller to see the car’s service history. This gives you an overview of how the seller and any previous owners have treated the car, featuring details including where it was regularly serviced and any repairs that had to be conducted. Used cars with an incomplete or missing service history are generally worth less money because they are considered to be riskier purchases.

Perhaps the most important document to check when buying a used car is the V5C. Sometimes referred to as the logbook, the V5C should feature information including the seller’s full name and address, and the car’s colour, body type and registration number – all of which should match the car you’re looking to buy. 

The document will also contain the vehicle identification number (VIN) – a 17-digit number that’s typically located on the driver’s door jamb, on the lower passenger corner of the windscreen or on the scuttle panel under the bonnet. When checking the V5C, also remember to look for the ‘DVL’ watermark at the top left corner. 

Inspect the bodywork

The condition of the bodywork plays a huge role in determining whether a car looks as if it’s just rolled out of the factory or is about to be towed into a scrapyard. No matter where you’re buying a car, ask to see it in clear daylight, which can make any imperfections more visible. 

In particular, keep a close eye out for signs of rust and bubbling on the sills, bottoms of the doors and wheel arches – the parts of the car that typically encounter the most salt in winter but are least thoroughly washed – and any minor dents. Small scratches, bumper scuffs, and paint chips may also look unsightly but are much easier and cheaper to put right, so shouldn’t be such a concern.

Much more of an issue is inconsistent panel gaps. Bodywork panels with gaps that start out narrow and get increasingly wider may suggest that the car you’re looking at was involved in an accident and repaired badly. Panels that are a slightly different colour to the rest of the car may also be a sign that the vehicle has undergone extensive repairs.

Assess the interior

If the condition of the interior doesn’t match the car’s mileage, it could be a sign that the vehicle has been clocked. If the car you’re interested in has a low mileage, make sure the upholstery isn’t faded or torn and that plastics regularly touched by the driver, such as the door handles, gear knob and steering wheel, aren’t shiny. 

Looking around a car’s interior can also help you identify how the current owner has treated it. Yellow stains on the headlining or signs of burn marks on hard plastic surfaces are common signs that the car has been previously smoked in, even if air fresheners are doing a good job to mask the smell. 

While spending time inside the car, it’s also worth making sure that all of the features fitted to the car are working correctly. This is particularly important for advanced components like parking cameras, the touchscreen and wireless phone chargers, but you shouldn’t neglect more conventional features like the central locking and electric windows.

Check the wheels

If the car you’re interested in features alloy wheels, check the edges to make sure they’ve not been scraped or curbed. It’s also worth thoroughly inspecting the tyres to make sure they have plenty of tread on them and that the sidewalls aren’t cracked, including the spare if the car has one. 

Open the bonnet

Even if you’re not mechanically minded, you can get a good idea of how a car has been cared for by how it looks under the bonnet. Make sure the oil, coolant and brake fluid are all topped up to the right levels and look clean. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for any signs of a leak around the engine bay or underneath the car, particularly after the engine has been warmed up. 

It’s also worth unscrewing the oil cap and checking for any sign of a white substance underneath. This is commonly caused by the engine’s coolant and oil mixing, indicating that the head gasket has failed and must be replaced – a repair that could cost you thousands of pounds to put right.

If it’s electric, check the battery

While studies predict that electric car batteries are capable of lasting up to 20 years, poor charging practices can quickly cause permanent damage. To make sure the used electric car you're thinking of buying has a durable battery, ask the seller to give it a full charge before your viewing and see how much of a difference there is between the estimated range figure on the instrument panel and the model’s official range.

You can also see how much the battery loses charge during the test drive by checking how far the estimated range figure drops over a certain number of miles. 

Get a professional

If you’re not confident that you’ll be able to spot potential issues, you can always pay an expert to inspect the car for you. Many companies offer pre-purchase inspections, in which a trained mechanic will give the car a thorough mechanical inspection and a short road test to spot any hidden faults. In some cases, the mechanic will also plug in diagnostic software to see whether the engine control unit (ECU) has issued any fault codes and check the bodywork for signs of damage.

A pre-purchase inspection is a good way to get peace of mind when buying a used car but will likely be expensive. Most companies charge around £100 for a basic inspection and up to £250 for more comprehensive checks.

Go for a test drive

If you’re happy with how the car looks, the next step is to find out how well it drives. Test drives typically last less than half an hour, so it’s a good idea to plan a route in advance that incorporates a wide range of road types – spanning from residential streets to dual carriageways and motorways.

When testing a car, it’s important that you make sure you enjoy the way it drives. A few minutes on a fast-moving road should determine if it has plenty of power, whereas parking it in a tight space can help you judge its manoeuvrability. 

However, it’s also important to make sure that the potential purchase isn’t showing any warning signs of troublesome faults. When the coast is clear behind, apply the brakes and make sure they don’t feel spongy or unresponsive. Similarly, if it’s a manual car, the clutch pedal shouldn’t feel heavy or cause the car to judder when changing gear – a telltale sign that the clutch is slipping.

Listen out for any knocks when travelling over potholes and speedbumps, which could be a sign that there’s an issue with the suspension components. Similarly, if you experience judders and knocks when taking corners, it’s likely that there’s an issue with the steering system.

How do I get the best price for a used car?

Although some will state ‘no offers’ when advertising a car, most private sellers and almost all dealerships will let you haggle for a better price. You should never be afraid to ask for a discount but, in order to get the best price, it’s always best to have some justification.

Before going to view a car, make sure you know that model’s typical market value by checking our free car valuation service. By entering the registration number and mileage, you’ll be able to see the typical asking price for the model (including the trim level, engine and overall condition) if it was being sold privately or at a dealership. You may also wish to haggle if you think the condition of the car is not as good as the seller claimed in the advertisement.

If you decide to make the seller an offer, it’s important that you’re polite and reasonable. Don’t expect the seller to cut a significant percentage off the asking price unless there’s a serious issue they hadn’t noticed. If they make a counter offer, consider it carefully and don’t be afraid to walk away if the price is still too high.

That said, don’t forget that you can negotiate more than the price of the car, too. You could always ask the seller to pay for a service, MOT or, if you find an issue with the car when you view it, whatever repairs need to be made. 

What Car? verdict

What Car? content editor, Jack Mortimer, says: “The used car market is so large that it’s all too easy to become overwhelmed when looking for your next model. Fortunately, this feeling can be prevented by making sure you’ve done all the preparation.

“Start by deciding exactly what you want to buy – ideally including which trim level and engine – and how much you’re willing to pay. Then, when you go to view an example, check it thoroughly to make sure you like it and it’s in an acceptable condition. 

“Moreover, if a car doesn’t meet your expectations, don’t convince yourself to buy it. Chances are you’ll be able to find a near-identical example for sale elsewhere and, if not, another will be on the market soon.”

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