Whether you buy from us or somebody else, these are the checks worth making every time. Take your time and view the car in daylight.
Before you travel
Check the MOT history online for mileage consistency and repeat advisories. Look at the number of previous keepers and confirm the seller's name matches the V5C. Ask for extra photos of anything the advert does not show.
At the car
Walk around it in daylight looking along the panels for ripples and mismatched paint. Check tyre tread and that all four tyres are a sensible brand and matching sizes. Open the bonnet cold: check oil, coolant and look for leaks.
Inside, test every switch, the air conditioning, all windows and the infotainment. Check the boot floor and spare wheel area for damp.
On the test drive
Drive it cold if you can. Listen for knocks over bumps, feel for vibration under braking, and make sure the gearbox shifts cleanly and the clutch bites early. Get it up to motorway speed if possible.
Then check the paperwork: V5C, service invoices, MOT certificate and both keys. If anything does not add up, walk away — there is always another car.
- checklist
- inspection
- test drive
- paperwork