Your guide to buying a second-hand car that will last for years

There aren’t many purchases we make in life that can be as important as buying a car, so it really pays to make sure you’ve made the right choice.

Used cars make up the bulk of car sales in the UK every year, with an estimated 7.6 million used cars changing hands during 2024 compared to around 1.9 million new cars joining the road.

A car’s value starts to depreciate as soon as it pulls out of the showroom, so even buying a year-old model could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

Regardless of your budget, used cars often make a lot of financial sense. In many cases, new cars lose the majority of their value within a few years of being registered, while there are also plenty of low-mileage bargains out there. Dino Buratti, Which? cars expert

With this in mind, we’re breaking down the various steps it takes to buy a second-hand car and looking at how to make sure you get the best deal.

Where to start looking

You don’t need to trawl through the classified ads any more – you can buy used cars from a trader (a business that sells cars), at an auction or privately – but each comes with its own risks.

If buying from a trader, look for an established firm with a good reputation. Having a trade association sign (like the Retail Motor Industry Federation) is helpful.

Auctions are riskier, and you probably won’t have the legal protection that you have if you buy from a trader, like the right to a return or refund. Make sure you read the auction house’s terms and conditions of business carefully before making a bid.

Buying online is also common – eBay is one of the most popular places to buy a car. But remember, if you pay using PayPal, its purchase protection doesn’t apply to cars – and neither does eBay’s own buyer protection, so you can’t turn to either if things go wrong.

On the price of the car, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is, so be wary.

If the price is below what similar models are generally going for, it could be a sign that it’s a scam or the car has an underlying issue. 

You’ve found the car, now what?

Once you think you’ve found the car of your dreams, it’s time to do some online checks. Doing simple checks will reduce your chances of buying a car that’s being sold illegally or has had major repairs not reported by the seller.

Use the DVLA’s free online vehicle information checker to make sure everything the seller is telling you matches the online records. 

You should be checking the registration numbers match, as well as the MOT test numbers, mileage on the car and its make and model.

It’s important you check the MOT and service history too, otherwise the vehicle might not be roadworthy. There’s a free government service that allows you to check the MOT history of a car. Make sure you ask the seller about any gaps in a vehicle’s MOT record.

Once you’ve reached this stage, it’s time to get up close and personal. You should look at the car itself and inspect:

• The bodywork and chassis for dents and scratches
• Wheels and tyres for tread depth and scuffs
• Oil level
• Interior and electrics
• Windows for cracks and chips

Taking the car for a thorough test drive is important too – is it a bumpy ride? Does the clutch slip? Does the car pull in one direction?

How do I negotiate a better price?

Haggling isn’t just for the Sunday markets, and buying a second-hand car from a dealer it’s virtually expected of you to bargain a little.

You should start low and let the seller work the price up, and remember to only pay what you can afford. 

Look for things that could throw up costs in the near future – such as a short MOT or worn tyres – and use them as bargaining tools.

You might also consider seeing if a discount is available for paying in cash.

Ways to pay

You can buy the vehicle on finance, though it can be more expensive this way, and you’ll need to make sure you can afford the monthly payments.

If you pay cash, you can sometimes receive a discount, but remember if something goes wrong with the car you won’t have the same protection some credit arrangements offer.

If you use a credit card, you’ll get protection for goods between £100 and £30,000, even if you only paid for a small part of the cost on the card. 

If paying a larger sum, remember that interest rates on credit cards are often much higher than a finance agreement.

What documents should I receive?

You must inform the DVLA of the change in a car’s registered keeper. The traditional way of doing this is for both parties to sign the car’s V5 logbook and post it to the DVLA or go online.

You also need an MOT certificate, without which the vehicle cannot be legally driven on the road. Always check the certificate has the same vehicle registration and chassis number as the car you’re viewing.

You should also ensure you’ve got all the manuals and the servicing booklet in case things go wrong.

Finally, it’s worth asking the seller to provide a signed receipt that specifies the price and date, as well as the make, model, engine size and registration of the vehicle.

Other things to remember

You should check how much road tax you’ll have to pay, and if you can afford the insurance costs on your new car.

Remember, you need to have car insurance before you take ownership of the car – even if you’re not driving it just yet.

What are my rights if things go wrong?

If there’s a problem with your used car after you buy it, you have legal rights.

You might be entitled to a repair, the cost of a repair, or some or all of your money back if the vehicle is damaged, doesn’t work, or doesn’t match the advert or description you were given.

You won’t be entitled to anything if:

• you were told about the fault when you bought the car;
• you inspected the car and should have spotted the problem – for example, a dent;
• you caused the fault;
• the fault is normal for how much the car has been used (known as fair wear and tear).