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Free used car buying guides
Plain-English guides for UK buyers, written by the trade, for the customer. Every fact is checked against GOV.UK (including DVLA and DVSA services) or Citizens Advice, with links so you can check for yourself.
Free download: 10 quick checks before you buy a used car, on one printable page. No email required.
- How to check a used car's MOT historyThe free GOV.UK check, what it tells you, and how the trade reads between the lines.Read the guide →
- Questions to ask when buying a used car from a private sellerWhat to ask on the phone, before you waste a Saturday, and what the answers really mean.Read the guide →
- How to spot a clocked car in the UKUse the free MOT mileage record, the paperwork and the car itself to catch a false reading.Read the guide →
- What to check on a used car test driveInsurance first, then what to listen for, feel for and look for on the road.Read the guide →
- V5C log book checks when buying a used carThe watermark, the serial numbers, the VIN and the new keeper slip: what GOV.UK says to check.Read the guide →
- Buying a used EV or hybrid: what to checkWhat stays the same, what is different, and the extra questions to ask about battery and charging.Read the guide →
- Buying a used car from a dealer: what to check and your rights (UK)Picking a trustworthy trader, the 30-day right to reject, and what to do if the car goes wrong.Read the guide →
- Cat N and Cat S: what car write-off categories meanWhat A, B, N and S really mean, how to find out, and what to check before you buy one.Read the guide →
- Free vehicle history check UK: what a car report showsWhat the free GOV.UK MOT and DVLA checks tell you, and what a paid car report adds.Read the guide →
- How to check if a used car has outstanding financeWhy the log book will not tell you, how a history check helps, and your rights if you are caught out.Read the guide →
- How to check a used car's service historyWhat 'full service history' really means, how to read the paperwork, and how to cross-check it.Read the guide →
Buy It Right
The UK Used Car Buyer's Checklist · UK 2027 Edition
£3.49
These guides cover the basics. The full checklist covers the rest: the phone questions, the paperwork, the inspection in order, the test drive, negotiating and paying safely.
- 24-page PDF, instant download
- Petrol, diesel, hybrid and EV
- Private sellers and dealers
20% off with code LAUNCH20 at checkout, until 31 December 2026.
Written by the trade, for the customer.