Car Breakdown Cover

Buying a used vehicle privately can save you a considerable amount of money. Although you may net yourself a bargain, it is important to be aware of the risks involved when not buying from a reputable garage or dealer. Read our advice on buying a used vehicle and make sure you don’t get caught out.

First things First!

Before you begin your used car search, you first need to have a good think about what type of vehicle will best suit your needs, for example, Size? Diesel or petrol? How many seats do you need? Do you have young kids? If so think about the upholstery!

Meeting the seller

• Always arrange to meet the seller at their address. Never agree to meet at your house or at a service station.
• Always meet the seller in the daylight, this is important for safety reasons and also to allow you to get a good look at the vehicle. 
• Never carry large amounts of cash with you.
• Take someone with you, preferably someone who has some car knowledge. An extra pair of eyes will help you spot any problems with the vehicle and will also make the situation less risky.

Vehicle Crime

Vehicle crime is big business in the UK; make sure you don’t become its latest victim. If you buy a used car privately and later find out it is stolen you will have no legal ownership of the car. In this situation you will lose both the car and they money you paid for it! To avoid buying a stolen vehicle, be sure to check the following:

• Ask to see the vehicle’s registration document. This proves ownership of the vehicle. If the seller doesn’t have a registration document then walk away from the sale.
• Check the vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number) and registration plate matches that of the vehicle.
• Check the address on the registration document is the same as the sellers address.
• Check the registration document is genuine by holding it up to the light and checking for the DVLA watermark.
• If there is a VIN or registration number on the windows check this matches the vehicle and the registration certificate.
• Check the VIN is present and shows no signs of being altered.
• Check the key works in all the locks and that there is no sign of forced entry on the vehicle.
• Consider getting an independent vehicle check to reassure you that the vehicle is not stolen or tied to a finance deal.
• If you are at all suspicious about the integrity of the seller or the vehicle then walk away from the sale. 

Vehicle Checks

Once you are satisfied that the seller is the real owner of the vehicle you should then begin a thorough inspection of the vehicle. It is extremely difficult to get your money back from a private seller so you must be absolutely sure of the vehicle’s condition before you commit to the purchase. Think about the following:

• Has the seller got a valid MOT certificate? This will give you a good indication that the vehicle is in working order. Check the certificate has been stamped by the garage and the mileage matches the vehicle. If in doubt, call the garage to check the certificate is genuine.
• Check the electrics by pressing every button and making sure all are fully operational.
• Check for obvious signs of rust on the body of the vehicle, and be sure to check in less obvious places such as the wheel arches.
• Check the tyres for tread depth and wear patterns. Although tyres can be easily replaced, bare tyres may give you an indication of a careless owner.
• Check for dents and paint damage. Check the paint is the same colour and consistency all over the vehicle. If the vehicle has had a re spray it may indicate it has been involved in a crash.
• Slight damages such as scratches can be an advantage to you, as you can use these as bargaining chips to get the price down. 
• It is a good idea to get the car checked out by a professional who will be able to spot problems which may go unnoticed to the untrained eye. While you will have to pay for this, it can save you a lot of money down the line.
• Finally take the car for a test drive, but make sure you check you are covered by your or the seller’s insurance first. Be sure to drive the car at a variety of speeds on a variety of roads. Be constantly vigilant for anything with smells, sounds or looks wrong.
• If you are in doubt about any aspect of the vehicle, walk away. There are plenty more fish in the sea.

If you decide to buy

• Never pay in cash. Walk away from any seller who will only accept payment with cash. 
• Get an independent warranty for your new vehicle as you will not have any cover when buying from a private owner (unless the vehicle is still covered by manufacturer’s warranty).