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Used car buying checklist

Go through it while you look at a car, so you do not forget anything.

Example: tick each point as you check it; items in red are warning signs: walk away or negotiate.

Your ticks are remembered on this device only (nothing is sent). Print the list to take it with you. Clear ticks

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Documents and seller

• Ask to see the original registration document, not a copy or a photo
• Compare the VIN on the car with the VIN on the registration document
• Check that the make, model, colour and engine details on the papers match the car
• Compare the seller's identity document with the registered owner
• Ask why the seller is selling and how long they have owned the car
• Ask for the service book, invoices and inspection reports
• Check that the mileage in the records rises logically
• Ask whether anything is owed on the car or whether it is financed
• Make sure you receive all keys and manuals
• Agree a written sales contract with VIN, mileage, price and known defects

Body, tyres and interior

• View the car in daylight on dry, level ground
• Check that the gaps between body panels are even on both sides
• Look for colour or texture differences in the paint between panels
• Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms and the boot floor for rust
• Check all glass for chips and cracks
• Check that all four tyres match and wear evenly, and read the DOT date code
• Look at the brake discs through the wheels for deep grooves or a heavy rust lip
• Smell the cabin for damp or mould and lift the mats to check the floor
• Compare wear on seats, pedals and steering wheel with the stated mileage
• Test windows, mirrors, locks, lights, wipers, heater and air conditioning

Engine and under the bonnet

• Ask for the engine to be cold when you arrive
• Look for oil, coolant or fuel leaks and wet patches
• Check the oil level and colour on the dipstick; it should not be milky or gritty
• Check the coolant level and colour
• Check the brake fluid level and colour
• Look at belts and hoses for cracks and wear
• Check the battery terminals for corrosion
• Start the engine cold and listen for knocking, ticking or squealing
• Watch the exhaust for heavy or coloured smoke
• Ask when the timing belt or chain was last replaced
• Check that the warning lights come on at ignition and then go out

Test drive

• Drive for at least twenty minutes on different types of road
• Check that the car drives straight without pulling to one side
• Brake firmly and check for pulling, vibration or noise
• Check that the gears change smoothly and the clutch bites at a sensible point
• Listen for knocks and rattles over bumps
• Check that the steering feels precise, with no play or vibration
• Check that the temperature gauge stays steady
• Test the car at low and higher speed
• Try reverse and the handbrake
• Check that no new warning lights appear while driving
• Arrange an independent mechanic inspection and a diagnostic scan before paying

Red flags

• The seller refuses an independent inspection
• Pressure to pay a deposit quickly or to decide on the spot
• The price is far below the market without a convincing reason
• The VIN on the car does not match the papers
• Scratched, re-stamped or tampered VIN plates or numbers
• The mileage is inconsistent with the wear on the pedals, seats and steering wheel
• Fresh paint overspray on seals, trim or in door gaps
• No service history and no clear explanation for it
• The seller is not the registered owner
• The seller will only meet in an unusual place or avoids showing the car in daylight
• The story keeps changing or the seller avoids direct questions
• A strong smell of damp or fresh air freshener hiding something

Read the guide: how to inspect a used car · Check the VIN