Buying a car is one of those weird experiences where you’re handing over thousands of pounds for something that starts losing value the second you drive it off the lot. Yet most of us do it with less scrutiny than we’d give to choosing a new mobile phone contract. I’ve seen people spend weeks researching which Netflix subscription tier to pick, then walk into a dealership and sign paperwork without asking half the questions they should. It’s mad, really.
So before you put pen to paper or click that final confirmation button, here are ten questions you absolutely need answers to. Not the fluffy stuff salespeople love to chat about. The real questions that could save you from a financial nightmare or a motor that spends more time at the garage than on your driveway.
What’s the Full History of This Vehicle?
This is where things get interesting. Every car has a story, and some of those stories involve dodgy mileage clocking, insurance write offs or previous owners who treated the vehicle like a rented mule. You wouldn’t buy a house without a survey, right? Same principle applies here, except cars are easier to hide problems with. A fresh coat of wax and some air freshener can cover a multitude of sins.
Ask for service records. All of them. Not just the last stamp in a book that could’ve been forged in someone’s garage. You want to see continuous maintenance, preferably at authorised centres. If there are gaps of several years, that’s a red flag the size of a football pitch. Cars need regular attention. No exceptions.
Perhaps the most crucial bit is running a proper vehicle check. Motorscan offers a free car check that’ll pull up registration details, MOT history & basic information that can immediately tell you if something smells off. It won’t cost you a penny and takes about two minutes. I think more people should use services like this BEFORE they fall in love with a motor.
Has It Been in Any Accidents?
This one makes sellers uncomfortable, which is exactly why you need to ask it. Look, accidents happen. But the quality of repairs matters enormously. A car that’s been properly fixed at an authorised repair centre is a different beast to one that’s been bodged back together with filler and hope.
Check the bodywork carefully. Run your hand along panel gaps. Are they even? Do doors close with the same solid thunk they should, or does one sound hollow and cheap? Paint that doesn’t quite match is another giveaway, though modern repair shops are getting better at hiding their work.
Insurance databases keep records of write offs, even if the vehicle was repaired and put back on the road. Categories range from minor to “this should’ve been crushed into a cube”. You NEED to know if you’re looking at a Cat S or Cat N vehicle. It affects resale value, insurance premiums & potentially safety.
What’s the True Condition Under the Bonnet?
Most buyers never look under the bonnet properly. They lift it, nod sagely at the mysterious collection of metal and plastic, then close it again. That’s not good enough.
You’re looking for oil leaks, corrosion on the battery terminals, perished rubber hoses and fluid levels that tell a story. Is the oil black and thick? Has the coolant been topped up with tap water instead of proper antifreeze mix? These details matter. A well maintained engine bay looks cared for. It’s clean, fluids are at proper levels & nothing’s held together with cable ties and prayer.
If you don’t know what you’re looking at, bring someone who does. A mate who’s handy with motors, or pay for an independent inspection. £100 spent on a professional check could save you £5,000 in repairs six months down the line.
Are There Outstanding Finance or Legal Issues?
Here’s where things get properly scary. If the seller still owes money on the car, the finance company technically owns it until that debt is cleared. You hand over your cash, drive away happy, then six weeks later someone turns up to repossess YOUR car because the previous owner never paid off their loan. You’re left with no car and no money. It happens more than you’d think.
Always, ALWAYS run an HPI check or similar. These services will flag outstanding finance, whether the car’s been stolen, scrapped or has mileage discrepencies. Again, Motorscan’s free car check gives you foundational information, though for a complete picture you might want their full report.
Stolen vehicles are another nightmare. Even if you bought it innocently, the car will be seized and returned to its rightful owner. Your money? Good luck getting that back from a seller who’s conveniently vanished.
What Does the MOT History Actually Show?
MOT history is like a car’s medical records. It shows every test, every failure, every advisory notice going back years. And it’s all publicly available online. Why more people don’t check this is beyond me.
Look for patterns. Does it fail repeatedly on the same issues? That suggests either cheap repairs or underlying problems that keep returning. A car that sails through MOTs year after year with minimal advisories is probably well looked after. One that scrapes through with pages of “advisory” notices might be a money pit waiting to happen.
Mileage is recorded at each test too. So if the odometer says 60,000 miles but last year’s MOT showed 85,000, someone’s been tampering. It’s illegal, it happens constantly & it’s surprisingly easy to spot if you bother checking.
That said, a few advisories aren’t necessarily a deal breaker. Slightly worn tyres or a minor oil leak that’s been monitored for years might be fine. It’s the serious stuff you’re watching for.
How Many Previous Owners Has It Had?
Multiple owners in quick succesion is suspicious. Why did three people own this car for six months each? What did they discover that made them want to get rid of it so quickly? Could be innocent, could be a lemon that keeps getting passed along.
Single owner cars are generally more desirable. That person knew the vehicle’s history intimately, probably maintained it consistently & you’ve got one point of contact for questions. Multiple owners means multiple driving styles, maintenance philosophies and potential for something to fall through the cracks.
Age matters here too. A ten year old car with five owners is different to a three year old car with five owners. Context is everything.
What Exactly Am I Covered For?
If you’re buying from a dealer, what warranty comes with it? And I mean ACTUALLY read what’s covered. Some warranties are so restrictive they’re basically worthless. “We’ll cover the engine except for these twenty specific scenarios that accomodate 99% of actual failures.” Cheers for that.
Private sales usually come with no warranty at all. You’re relying on the principle that goods must be as described, which is harder to enforce than you’d think. Get everything in writing. If the seller says “it’s in perfect condition”, make them write that down and sign it.
Extended warranties might be worth considering depending on the car’s age, mileage & your risk tolerance. Just read the terms properly. Some are brilliant. Others are designed to avoid paying out.
Can I Take It for a Proper Test Drive?
And I mean a PROPER one. Not a five minute jaunt around the block. You need at least 30 minutes covering different road types. Motorway speeds, urban stop start traffic, bumpy back roads. How does it handle? Any weird noises? Does it pull to one side when braking?
Turn off the radio. Listen to the engine. Listen to the suspension over rough surfaces. Strange clunks and rattles aren’t always serious, but they’re worth investigating before you commit. Some sellers will refuse longer test drives, which immediately makes me suspicious. What are they worried you’ll discover?
Check everything works. Lights, indicators, wipers, heating, air conditioning, electric windows, sat nav, reversing sensors. ALL of it. Fixing electrical gremlins can be eye wateringly expensive.
What’s the Real Running Cost Going to Be?
Purchase price is just the beginning. What’s the insurance group? Road tax? Average fuel consumption under real conditions, not the fantasy figures from official tests? Some cars are cheap to buy then bleed you dry in running costs.
Maintenance costs vary wildly too. Parts for some manufacturers cost twice what others charge for essentially the same component. Premium brands especially can sting you. That lovely German saloon might seem like a bargain at £8,000, until you discover a service costs £600 and brake pads are £400 fitted.
Do your research. Owner forums are brilliant for this. Real people sharing actual costs, common problems & whether they’d buy the same car again. It’s worth an hour of reading to avoid years of financial regret.
Who Actually Owns This Vehicle Right Now?
Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised. Is the person selling it actually the registered keeper? Check the V5C logbook. Does the name match their ID? If they’re selling it “for a mate” or it’s registered to their wife’s cousin’s business partner, walk away. Too many opportunities for something dodgy.
The V5C should never be a photocopy or “in the post from DVLA”. Those are classic excuses from dodgy sellers. No V5C, no sale. Simple as that.
Meet at the seller’s actual address if possible, not a car park or service station. You want to see that the car belongs there, that it fits the story they’re telling. I know this sounds paranoid, but car fraud is rampant & it’s your money on the line.
The Bottom Line
Buying a car shouldn’t feel like a gamble, but too often it does. The power imbalance between excited buyers and experienced sellers creates opportunities for things to go wrong. Your defence is asking awkward questions and actually checking the answers.
Use every free tool available. Motorscan’s free car check takes minutes and provides crucial baseline information. Government MOT history is free and comprehensive. These aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials. Think of them as insurance against buying someone else’s problem.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. There are millions of cars out there. Walk away from dodgy deals and find one that passes every test with flying colours. Your future self will thank you when you’re enjoying reliable motoring instead of arguing with mechanics about repair bills.
The best car deals are the ones where you ask difficult questions and get satisfactory answers. Everything else is just hoping for the best, and hope isn’t a strategy when you’re spending thousands of pounds.
