Helping you to get the best deal when buying a used car
This checklist should be read with the booklet Buying a used car. It is
a guide to help you decide whether a car is worth buying.
If you find yourself ticking a lot of Yes boxes in one or more sections,
it may be best to walk away. If you don’t feel confident about carrying
out these checks yourself, get an expert’s opinion.
If you find yourself ticking a lot of shaded circles in one or more sections,
you should seriously consider whether to go ahead with the sale. Click here to print
this checklist (Printer friendly)
Is the car in reasonable condition?
Before
the test drive
YES
NO
Are
sills, wheel arches and door bottoms rusty or the paint bubbling?
Is the
paintwork faded, blemished or excessively damaged?
Are
there oil leaks or damaged hoses/drive belts under the bonnet?
Are
tyres worn or damaged?
Are
seat belts showing signs of fraying?
Do door
and window seals show signs of leaking?
Are
electrics faulty (lights, washers, horn and indicators)?
When
you start the engine and before you drive away does the vehicle emit
blue or black smoke from exhaust?
(indicates badly-worn engine)
Has
it been clocked? Physical checks
Are
mileometer numbers out of line?
Is wear
and tear heavy, given mileage?
Have
pedal rubbers/gear knob/steering wheel been changed?
Paper
checks/questions to ask
Does
mileage on last MOT certificate contradict mileometer reading?
Does
mileage on service documentation contradict mileometer reading?
Does
mileage when car was last sold contradict mileometer reading?
(check with previous owners – named on V5)
During
the test drive
Are
brakes defective? (eg, car takes a long time to stop)
Does
car pull to one side when you brake?
Do brakes
squeal?
Is the
brake pedal soft or spongy? Do you have to put the pedal to the floor
to brake?
Park
the car on an incline with the handbrake on. Does the car roll backwards?
Does
the steering wheel vibrate? Is there a lot of free play?
Does
car pull to one side?
Is changing
gear difficult?
Does
gear lever jump gear when you brake or accelerate?
Is the
clutch difficult to use when moving through the gears?
Does
engine sound different if clutch is pressed when car is idling?
Is there
a strong smell of petrol or oil?
After
the test drive
Open the bonnet and take a look while the engine is running.
Then switch the engine off.
Does
the engine make uncommon noises?
Are
there water or oil leaks?
Is there
excessive smoke from the exhaust?
When
engine has stopped, remove oil cap
– do you see white liquid like mayonnaise?
Look
under the bonnet and underneath the car, with a torch if necessary.
Are there any leaks?
Is it
an insurance write off?
Have
body panels been repaired?
Is colour/texture
of paintwork patchy?
Has
welding been carried out on the engine/boot?
Have
repairs been carried out on the boot?
(check under the carpet)
Is
it stolen?
Physical checks
Has
the vehicle identification number (VIN) been tampered with?
Are
glass areas such as windows, lights or sunroof etched with incorrect
VIN? (as a security measure some cars have the VIN
etched on their glass)
Have
surface areas of glass been scratched off windows, head lights, tail
lights, sun roof?
Do stickers
conceal altered etching?
Are
there signs that the car has been resprayed, for example is there
paint on the wheels or seals?
Are
there signs of forced entry?
Has
the locking petrol cap been forced and replaced?
Do the
locks differ?
(thieves often change locks they have damaged)
Paper
checks/questions to ask
Is the
seller unable to produce the registration document (V5)?
Does
the seller give an inadequate reason for not having the V5?
Are
there spelling mistakes or alterations to the V5?
Is watermark
missing from V5?
Is seller’s
name and address different from V5?
(ask seller for proof of identity and address, eg,
driving licence, utility bill)
Is number
plate different from V5?
Is engine
number different from V5?
Is vehicle
identification number (VIN) different from V5?
(check VIN plate in engine compartment and under both
bonnet and driver’s seat)
Is the
seller unable to produce an insurance policy and an up-to-date MOT
certificate for the car?
