Choose who you are buying from and the fuel type, and get a checklist built for that car - what to check online, what to ask the seller, and what to look at in person. Tick items off, add notes, and download it as a PDF.
About this car
Buying from
Fuel type
Registration (optional)
Asking price (optional)
£
Seller name (optional)
Seller phone (optional)
Your ticks and notes are saved on this device only as soon as you start. Use “New car” to keep a separate list for each car you view.
0 of 31 checked
1. Before you view
Do these from your sofa - before you travel or pay for anything.
Check the registration matches the car
Make, model, colour and fuel type should match the advert. A mismatch can mean a cloned or swapped plate.
Do online
Check the full MOT history
Look for repeated failures, long lists of advisories and big gaps between tests.
Do online
Check the mileage history is consistent
Mileage should rise steadily between MOTs. A drop or a sudden stall can point to clocking.
Do online
See the full mileage history · Gold £9.99 →
Check for outstanding finance
If money is still owed, the lender can repossess the car - even from a new owner.
Do online
Check for finance · Silver Plus £5.99 →
Check it has not been written off (Cat S / N)
A write-off can look fine but be worth far less and be harder to insure or sell.
Do online
Check write-off status · Silver £3.99 →
Check it has not been reported stolen
A stolen car is returned to its owner, and you lose the money you paid.
Do online
Check stolen status · Silver £3.99 →
Check tax status and any ULEZ / clean air zone charge
Tax does not transfer with the car, and some cars are charged to enter city zones.
Do online
Compare the price with similar cars
A price far below the market is a classic warning sign.
Do online
Get an insurance quote before you commit
Premiums vary a lot between models, and you need cover before you drive away.
Do online
2. Seller and paperwork
Documents and questions for the seller.
See the V5C logbook - name and address must match the seller
Check the VIN on the V5C matches the car. If the seller is not the registered keeper, walk away.
Check in person
Check the seller's ID and view the car at their home address
Avoid car parks and roadside meetings. The address should match the V5C.
Check in person
Ask for the service history and invoices
Stamps in a book are not proof - receipts and invoices are better. Gaps are worth asking about.
Ask the seller
Ask how many keys come with the car
Replacement keys can cost hundreds of pounds, and a missing spare is a reason to negotiate.
Ask the seller
Ask how long they have owned it and why they are selling
A vague answer, or a very short ownership, is worth probing.
Ask the seller
Know your rights: private sales are 'as seen'
The car must match its description and the seller must have the right to sell it, but you have far less protection than from a dealer.
Ask the seller
Pay by bank transfer, not cash, and get a signed receipt
Keep a record of who you paid. Never hand over money before you have the V5C.
Ask the seller
Ask if the cambelt or chain has been changed
A failed cambelt can wreck an engine. Check when it is due and what it costs.
Ask the seller
3. Walk-round
What to look at when you first see the car.
View it in daylight and dry weather
Rain and darkness hide dents, scratches and mismatched paint.
Check in person
Check panel gaps and paint colour
Uneven gaps or slightly different shades suggest accident repairs.
Check in person
Check the tyres - tread, matching brands and uneven wear
The legal minimum is 1.6mm. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
Check in person
Check the brake discs and pads
Deep lips, heavy rust or very thin pads mean brake work is due soon.
Check in person
Check lights, windscreen and mirrors
Chips and cracks in the driver's view can fail an MOT.
Check in person
Look under the car and in the engine bay for leaks
Oil, coolant or fluid stains need explaining. A freshly steam-cleaned engine can hide them.
Check in person
Check the interior wear matches the mileage
A worn seat, pedals or steering wheel on a low-mileage car is a red flag. Also check for damp smells.
Check in person
Test the windows, locks, air-con and infotainment
Electrical faults are costly to fix and easy to overlook.
Check in person
4. Test drive
Check how it starts, drives and stops.
Ask for the engine to be cold when you arrive
A warm engine hides hard starting, smoke and noises.
Check in person
Check no warning lights stay on after start-up
Lights should come on briefly then go out. One that stays on, or is covered with tape, needs explaining.
Check in person
Check the gearbox and clutch
Gears should change smoothly with no jerking, slipping or a clutch that bites very high.
Check in person
Check the steering and suspension
It should track straight with no knocks, pulling or vibration.
Check in person
Test the brakes
The car should stop in a straight line, with no judder or grinding.
Check in person
Confirm you are insured to test drive
Ask the seller to confirm it in writing before you set off.
Ask the seller
Walk away if…
• The VIN or registration on the car does not match the V5C
• The seller will not let you see the V5C or the service history
• You are pressured to pay a deposit or cash straight away
• The price is far below similar cars
• The mileage history has gaps, drops or does not add up
• The seller is not the registered keeper, or will only meet away from their home address
Sharing sends a link that opens this checklist with your ticks, notes and seller details filled in. Anyone with the link can see them, and the details are kept in the link itself, not on our servers.
In the print window choose “Save as PDF” as the destination to download your checklist.
This checklist is a guide to things worth checking, not a guarantee of a car’s condition or history. It is not a substitute for a professional inspection or a full vehicle history check.
Buying this car? Check its history
Get a full history check before you hand over money: outstanding finance, write-off records, stolen status, mileage discrepancies and more.
Start online: the MOT history, mileage, outstanding finance, write-off and stolen status. Then check the V5C and the seller, walk round the car, and test drive it. This checklist covers each step.
Is buying from a private seller different to a dealer?
Yes. Private sales are 'as seen', so you have far less protection, and you must check the V5C and that the seller is the registered keeper. Dealers have to follow consumer law, which includes a 30-day right to reject a faulty car.
What extra should I check on a diesel, hybrid or electric car?
Diesels: the DPF and smoke under acceleration. Hybrids: the battery warranty and system warnings. EVs: battery state of health, the battery warranty and whether the battery is leased. The checklist adds these automatically.
How do I check if a car has outstanding finance?
You need a vehicle history check that searches finance records - you can't see it from the car or the V5C. A free CarVerified check shows the basics, and a paid report checks for finance.