1. Check the Vehicle History Report

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This is definitely your first step, but also the most basic piece of due diligence every Joe in the market looking for a used car must do, unless they want to practically burn their money. The most you'll pay for a full report is £20, and it could save you thousands.

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A full vehicle history check provides crucial details about the car’s past. It can reveal whether the car was ever stolen, written off, imported, or has outstanding finance, any of which could make the car uninsurable or legally complicated.

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You can use services like HPI Check (in fact, this is what Ayan uses as a very initial step as well) or Total Car Check for detailed reports. While there are some services out there which might be free, we recommend paying for the full check for, not only, the peace of mind before handing over your money, but also, because 9 times out of 10 there will be something you find on these reports that would not have been on the free services.

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2. Confirm MOT and Service Records

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The MOT history can tell you a lot about how well a car has been maintained. Visit the DVLA MOT history checker to see whether the car has passed or failed recent tests and to review advisories.

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This is also where you can verify the mileage of the car against the HPI check. Make sure to look at each MOT, and carefully cross-check for signs of mileage clocking. Mileage clocking is when holders of the car purposely manipulate the reading on the odometer, in order to sell the car for more than its worth.

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In addition to the MOT, request the car’s full service history - this is not the same as a vehicle history report. A vehicles service history is a fully stamped service book or digital printout from a main dealer or garage . It adds major value and shows the owner actually had an interest in not breaking down on the side of the M4.

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3. Inspect the Exterior and Bodywork

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This is your time to shine Sherlock. Bring your Dr. Watson and carefully make sure there are no red flags.

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Make sure you inspect the car in natural daylight. We don't mean that you would've chosen to inspect the car outside at night (and if you were before reading this please never admit it), but do make sure it is outside and not inside under dealership bright lights, as this could give a perception the car is in better condition than it actually is.

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Look out for mismatched paint, rust spots, uneven gaps between panels, or bubbling near wheel arches, all signs of previous damage or poor repairs.

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Walk around the car, checking all doors, lights, and windows for chips or cracks. Don’t forget the tyres either, uneven tread can hint at suspension problems or poor alignment.

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4. Look Under the Bonnet

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Don't lie; everyone wants to be able to pop open a bonnet and know what they're looking at. The aura is unmatched. Unfortunately, you're likely gonna need to do some extra research or bring a friend who knows about cars to be able to do that with purpose.

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Even if you’re not mechanically inclined, opening the bonnet is worth it. Check fluid levels, especially oil and coolant, and look for signs of leaks or corrosion. You can easilywatch videos on youtube which will show you the red flags.

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Ask when the timing belt or water pump was last replaced (if applicable). These are costly maintenance items, and if they haven’t been done in a high-mileage car, you could be facing a big bill soon after purchase.

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5. Review Interior Condition and Features

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This is where you spend all your time using this car. I mean, you wouldn't go to a house viewing and just look at the building. Make sure you can see yourself using this car from the inside and out. Oh yeah, and Apple carplay is a must.

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The cabin often reveals how well the car has been treated. Excessive wear on the steering wheel, pedals, or gear stick is a sign the car wasn't taken care of correctly, or might also suggest the mileage is higher than claimed.

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Test all electronics, windows, infotainment system, air conditioning, indicators, and dashboard lights. Be wary of warning lights staying on or blinking erratically, as these can signal hidden issues.

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6. Check the Mileage Against the Car’s Age

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UK drivers average around 7,000 to 10,000 miles per year, so use that as a reference. A 3-year-old car with 70,000 miles might have been a fleet or delivery vehicle, possibly leading to more wear and tear. A 1-year-old car with 70,000 miles was almost 100% one of our clients.

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And to reiterate, watch for signs of clocking (mileage fraud). Compare the odometer reading with MOT records, service invoices, and even tire condition to spot inconsistencies. Many don't see mileage inconsisitancies as a 'major' red flag, but we reccomend that you do take them very seriously. Not only is it a sign the seller might be hiding something else you haven't found yet, but you will also never know how much it has truly been clocked. For all you know, the car could be a couple miles from breaking down.

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7. Verify the V5C Logbook

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The V5C logbook (or registration certificate) is linked to registered keepers of the car. It's important to note, the more registered keepers, the more the car price depreciates. This is because it could indicate that the car was not fit enough for drivers to continue keeping the car.

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Make sure the document is original (not a copy), and check that the VIN number, registration number, and keeper’s name match the vehicle and seller details.

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Avoid any seller who claims to be selling on behalf of a friend or family member. Always verify the registered address on the V5C - you could even go so far as to meet the seller there.

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8. Take a Proper Test Drive

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Never skip the test drive. We reccomend all of our clients take a test drive before getting a car financed by us. This is because there are some issues that could arise that would never be visible otherwise. Dodgy steering wheel, dodgy noises, dodgy pedals... you get the jist.

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Drive the car in various conditions, local roads, dual carriageways, and speed bumps. Listen for unusual sounds, feel for vibration in the steering or brakes, and assess how smoothly it accelerates and shifts.

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Make sure the clutch isn’t too high or spongy (a sign of wear) and check how responsive the steering is. Don’t be rushed, take your time and ask questions.

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9. Check Insurance and Road Tax Costs

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An often overlooked part of finding a new car until it's too late. Before finalising the purchase, get an insurance quote for the specific make and model. Some cars, even small hatchbacks, can fall into higher groups based on trim, modifications, or engine size.

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Also check Gov.uk’s road tax calculator to see annual tax costs. These can range from £0 to £500+ per year, depending on emissions and registration year.

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10. Use an HPI Check Service

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While we mentioned this earlier, butit’s worth highlighting again - specifically what you should look for. An HPI check is your general, large, safety net. You should be looking out for:

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Outstanding finance could indicate the car is not paid off, and still owned by the lender, rather than the person you might be buying it from. This could land you in a legal headache, so just be careful and make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. It is important to note, there are some time lags. Sometimes it might actually be paid off, but public records take some time to update, so your best bet is calling the finance company directly and getting a formal notice.

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Many previous plate changes can signal underlying issues with the car, meaning it's been passed around by owners. Another indicator of this could be looking at the history of registered keepers, however, finance companies or indivudals lending the car can remain registered keepers whilst others are insured on the car, so it might not always tell the full picture. Other less likely indications of this red flag include cloned plates to avoide fines, and a sign of the car being stolen and passed around.

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Mileage discrepancies can be cross checked between HPI checks and MOTs or service history. A sign of tampering could mean the car’s been clocked, where the odometer has been manipulated to show fewer miles than it’s actually done. This can hide years of wear and tear and is often done to inflate the price. A lower-than-expected mileage might look like a bargain, but when it doesn’t match the car’s age or condition, it’s a red flag worth investigating further.

Category S or N insurance write-offs are risky investments. Cat S cars have had to be repaired to return safely back to the road after structural damage to the car, whereas Cat N cars have gone through internal damage, such as issues with the electrics, but have no structural issues. Not only can these cars be ticking-time bombs waiting to be scrapped, but they are incredibly hard and expensive to insure... tread carefully.

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This small investment (usually around £10–£20) could save you thousands, or from unknowingly buying a stolen or unroadworthy car.

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Conclusion

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Buying a pre-owned car doesn’t have to be a gamble. By following this 10-point checklist, you can avoid common pitfalls and feel more confident about your decision. Always research thoroughly, trust your instincts, and don’t rush into a deal that seems “too good to be true.” Of course, you don't necessarily have to go through all of these points, but it would be ideal, and if not, do be sure to cover enough of them so that the price tag hurts just a little less. Safe driving!

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