Guides
Buy a used car with your eyes open
What to check, what it means, and what to do about it. Written in plain English, using the rules as they stand in 2026.
Buying
The used car buying checklist (before, during and after viewing)Everything to check before, during and after a used car viewing, in the order you need it.5 minute readBuying a car with outstanding finance: what happens and how to avoid itWhy a car on finance may not be the seller's to sell, what protection you have, and the steps that keep you safe.5 minute readBuying privately or from a dealer: your rights comparedWhat the law gives you when you buy from a dealer, a private seller or at auction, and how to protect yourself in each case.5 minute readTest drive and inspection checklistWhat to look at, listen for and test when you view a used car, from the cold start to the final questions.5 minute read
Checks explained
Insurance write-off categories A, B, S and N explained (plus old C and D)What each insurance write-off category means, how to check a car, and what to ask before you buy a repaired one.5 minute readHow to spot a clocked carThe paper trail and physical signs that give away a wound-back odometer, and what to do if the mileage does not add up.5 minute readHow to read an MOT history (dangerous, major, minor, advisory)What each MOT result means, and how to read a car's whole test history the way a careful buyer would.5 minute readHow to find and check a car's VINWhere to find the 17-character VIN on a car, how to check it, and why a mismatch means you should walk away.5 minute read
Owning
The V5C logbook: what to check when buying and what to do when sellingWhat the logbook proves and what it does not, how to check it at a viewing, and how to hand it over when a car is sold.5 minute readULEZ and clean air zones: which cars pay and whereWhere the UK's charging zones are, which cars meet the standard, and how to check a car before you buy it.5 minute readCar tax (VED) explained, with 2026/27 ratesHow vehicle tax works for cars of every age, with the rates from 1 April 2026, and what to do when you buy or sell.5 minute read