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Buying a used car , Paperwork and ownership · Updated 2026-10-15

Documents to check when buying a used car

Paperwork problems are one of the most common reasons a used-car purchase goes wrong. Before you pay anything, make sure the documents, the car and the seller all tell the same story. This guide lists general checks that apply almost everywhere.

The registration document

Ask to see the original registration document, not a photo or a copy. Check that it looks genuine, that nothing has been altered, and that the make, model, colour, engine details and year match the car in front of you. Note any entries that restrict or burden the vehicle.

Does the owner match the seller?

• Ask for the seller's identity document and compare the name with the registered owner.
• If the seller is not the registered owner, ask why and be very cautious. A written, verifiable authorisation from the owner is the minimum, and often walking away is wiser.
• If the car is owned by a company or is financed, ask for proof that the seller may sell it and that nothing is owed on it.

Does the VIN match?

Compare the vehicle identification number on the car with the one on the registration document and on any other papers. Check it in every place it appears on the car, for example on the body plate and at the base of the windscreen. Any difference, scratched numbers or signs of tampering mean you should stop.

Service history and other records

• Ask for the service book, invoices and any inspection reports.
• Check that mileage figures in these records rise logically.
• Ask for all keys, the manuals and any warranty papers that still apply.

A written sales contract

Always put the sale in writing. A good contract names both parties with their identity details, identifies the car by make, model and VIN, states the mileage, the price and the date, and records any known defects. Both sides should sign, and each should keep a copy. Read it fully before signing and do not sign anything blank or incomplete.

Paying safely

• Avoid paying large sums in cash, and avoid paying a deposit before you have seen the car and the papers.
• Prefer a traceable method such as a bank transfer, and keep proof of payment.
• Complete the handover of money, keys and documents together, preferably at a safe and public place or at an office that handles such transfers.
• Be wary of any pressure, such as claims that other buyers are about to take the car.

After the purchase

Keep copies of everything. Make sure the ownership change and insurance are handled promptly according to the rules where you live, and ask the relevant authority or an advisor if you are unsure what is required.

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