Doing the proper checks can help save you distress and money down the line. If you’re buying from a trader (a business that sells cars) you should: Make sure you get the original (not a photocopy) of: You can also use an online form. You should consider doing this no matter who you buy from. It will cost up to £20.

Don’t test drive a car if you’re not insured. The Motor Ombudsman You can also find out if the current owner still owes money on the car. Make sure you ask about the car’s service history. If you don’t have insurance, a trader or private seller’s insurance might cover you - you’ll need to ask them.

Stay calm and only pay what you can afford. If you’re still not sure at this stage, it’s probably a good idea to look for another car. However, you can go a step further and get an independent report on the car. It can be an expensive way to pay, and you'll need to make sure you can realistically afford the repayments. Ask the seller for the car’s: If some of the minor details don’t match, you can ask the seller to clarify - it might be a simple mistake.

You’ll need to pay vehicle tax as soon as you buy the car. The Money Advice Service has useful guidance on how to negotiate when buying a car. The AA has a useful checklist for what to look out for when inspecting a used car and its paperwork. Drive for at least 15 minutes on different types of road.

Remember you can Mitsubishi pajero 2014 in ghana simply stop the deal if you feel like you’re being pressured into paying too much or buying additional features. This is a free service. Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 if you need more help - a trained adviser can give you advice over the phone. You’ll be liable for any damage you cause and you could get points on your licence. Ask the seller about any gaps in MOT - don’t continue with the deal if you’re suspicious of the MOT history.

Make sure you read the auction house’s terms and conditions of business carefully before making a bid. Check the MOT history of a car on GOV.UK. A car might not have needed an MOT if it was unused for a period of time and was registered as SORN (statutory off road notification). If you have your own car insurance, check with your insurance company to see if you can drive someone else’s car. They’ll also simply help you get a car that doesn’t break down.

You might have protection from problems if your card provider has a ‘chargeback’ scheme. The AA has a checklist for what to look out for when taking a test drive. Doing some simple checks will reduce your chances of buying a car that’s being sold illegally or has had major repairs. Independent reports are done by motoring organisations and specialist companies - call the Motor Ombudsman for advice on where to get an independent report in your area.

Read advice on getting a finance from the Money Advice Service. If there’s a problem with your used car after you buy it, you have legal rights. It’s a good idea to meet at a private seller’s house so that if something goes wrong after you’ve bought the car you’ll have a record of their address.

The seller will get a refund for any tax left on the car when it’s sold. If there’s something wrong with your used car (eg it’s got a false mileage reading or it keeps breaking down), you may have a legal right to a repair, the cost of a repair, or some or all of your money back. The Motor Ombudsman is a government-backed self-regulatory body for the motoring industry. This will give you detailed information about the car’s condition and will cost around £100 to £200. Vehicles need regular MOT tests to make sure they’re safe for the road.

You should arrange to view the car in daylight, preferably when it’s dry - it’s harder to spot damage to the car if it’s wet. It doesn’t take long or cost much. Consider all your options before getting finance or a loan for a car. You should check that MOT tests have been done regularly throughout the car’s history (most cars over 3 years old need an MOT test every year). But if you’re suspicious that the seller gave you fake details then you shouldn’t buy the car.

It will tell you if: Telephone: 0345 241 3008 Auctions are probably the riskiest way of buying a used car.

Buying a used car

p>There are steps you can take to help you avoid buying a car that’s been badly damaged, stolen or illegally altered. Use the DVLA’s free online vehicle information checker to make sure what the seller tells you matches the DVLA’s records. You can get a car history check by searching online for websites that check vehicle details. It’s a good idea to get a private history check (sometimes called a ‘data check’) on the car - this will give you valuable information about serious problems the car might have. You should report the seller to the police if the log book (V5C registration certificate) doesn’t match the car on the DVLA records.

You’ll need to make sure you’re insured to do this. 'The seller can’t legally transfer any car tax that they’ve already paid over to you (the rules around this changed recently). If you’re in Northern Ireland, contact Consumerline. You should definitely take the car for a test drive. For more advice on whether a hire purchase arrangement would suit you read buying a car through hire purchase by the Money Advice Service. Never buy a car without the log book.

You probably won’t have the legal protection that you have if you buy through a trader (for example, the right to returns and refunds). Don’t be afraid to haggle on the price - start low and let the seller work the price up. It’s worth knowing that you’ll still have legal rights even if you don’t do the proper checks.

There are things to consider when deciding how to pay for a used car.